Canadian Sikh chief Jagmeet Singh, a former ally of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, was ridiculed by journalists at a press convention when he referred to as for sanctions on Indian diplomats amid the escalating diplomatic row between the 2 nations. He additionally confronted robust questions from reporters as he left the press convention room whereas they mocked him.
“We have to impose extreme sanctions on Indian diplomats. The RCMP mentioned that Indian diplomats are hiring prison components to shoot at Canadians. I imply, why would we do something aside from impose extreme sanctions on Indian diplomats?” Jagmeet Singh, mentioned a widely known Khalistani supporter and chief of the New Democratic Social gathering (NDP).
“The Modi authorities should be held accountable and we should all be united as Canadian leaders. We should all be united in denouncing (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi, making certain that we shield Canadians by placing their security first,” he mentioned. he mentioned earlier than ending his press convention. As Jagmeet Singh was leaving the room, there was a chat among the many journalists and certainly one of them mocked the chief and mentioned, “That is not the way it works,” prompting laughter.
The event got here after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) claimed that Indian officers current in Canada had been working with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to assault pro-Khalistan components.
Jagmeet Singh had supported Trudeau’s Liberal authorities for greater than two years earlier than pulling the plug final month, accusing the Canadian Prime Minister of failing to maintain his guarantees. He has typically been concerned in rallies involving Khalistani extremists, who advocated a separate Sikh state.
Earlier, Canadian International Minister Melanie Joly had hinted that the Trudeau authorities might impose sanctions on Indian diplomats, saying “every part was on the desk” amid the diplomatic rift.
The continued diplomatic row between India and Canada took a pointy activate Monday when New Delhi lashed out at Ottawa over its accusation that the Indian Excessive Commissioner and different diplomats are “individuals of curiosity” linked to an investigation into Nijjar’s homicide. India dismissed them as “absurd accusations” and downgraded its ties with Canada.
India additionally mentioned that Trudeau’s hostility in the direction of India has been evident for a very long time and cited his fixed help for violent extremists and terrorists to harass, threaten and intimidate Indian diplomats in Canada, emphasizing that this was finished within the identify of freedom of expression.
Each India and Canada recalled six of their diplomats in a tit-for-tat measure as New Delhi scolded Ottawa for not sharing a “shred of proof” of India’s involvement in Nijjar’s homicide and never doing sufficient to confront separatist components on Canadian soil.
Ties between India and Canada took a dive in September final yr when Trudeau alleged the involvement of Indian authorities brokers in Nijjar’s homicide on Canadian soil. New Delhi rejected these accusations as “motivated and absurd.”
Nijjar, the top of the Khalistan Tiger Power and needed by the Indian authorities, was shot lifeless outdoors a gurdwara in Surrey, Canada, in June final yr.
‘CANADIAN SIKHS HARASSED BY FEAR’
In the meantime, in an announcement, Jagmeet Singh claimed that Canadian Sikhs had been harassed by concern, threats and harassment by Indian diplomats and referred to as for a ban on Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Community (RSS) in Canada.
“We help in the present day’s (Tuesday) determination to expel Indian diplomats and name on the Authorities of Canada as soon as once more to ascertain diplomatic sanctions in opposition to India, ban the RSS in Canada and decide to the fullest penalties. extreme penalties for anybody discovered partaking in organized prison exercise on Canadian soil,” he mentioned.
“The New Democrats are extraordinarily involved by data launched in the present day by the Commissioner of the RCMP. Canadians, significantly the Sikh neighborhood in Canada, have been persecuted by concern, threats, harassment and violence, together with extortion, violence and electoral interference, all allegedly by the hands of Indian officers,” he alleged.
He added: “Since September 2023, the RCMP has warned not less than 13 individuals of great threats in opposition to them. The security of Canadians has not but been assured.”
