Canadian opposition chief Pierre Poilievre has canceled Diwali celebrations, scheduled to happen in Parliament, amid the continued diplomatic row with India.
The Abroad Buddies of India Canada (OFIC), organizer of the occasion, acquired no rationalization for the cancellation of the Diwali celebration, initially scheduled for October 30 by Conservative MP Todd Doherty.
India-Canada ties hit their lowest level after Ottawa alleged Indian diplomats concerned in info gathering and the usage of felony gangs to assault members of the pro-Khalistan motion. India known as its high envoy to Ottawa and expelled six Canadian diplomats from the nation.
OFIC President Shiv Bhasker wrote a letter to Pierre Poilievre expressing his dismay on the determination.
In a letter to Pierre Poilievre, Bhasker wrote that a number of political leaders, who had attended the occasion in earlier years, abruptly withdrew this yr, leaving the neighborhood “feeling betrayed and unfairly singled out.”
The president of OFIC apologized to Pierre Poilievre and condemned what he described as an “insensitive and discriminatory act.” He harassed that whereas tensions between New Delhi and Ottawa are critical, they need to not result in unfair therapy of Canadians of Indian origin, who haven’t any ties to the Indian authorities.
On the Diwali celebration in November 2023, Poilievre and the then Indian Excessive Commissioner to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma have been amongst those that addressed the gathering, which was attended by round 540 friends.
“This isn’t only a canceled Diwali occasion or an occasion the place politicians renege on their dedication to attend; It is a a lot deeper and extra insidious drawback. “Racism and discrimination are thriving in Canada, and this newest improvement has uncovered the systemic biases that also exist,” Bhasker wrote.
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