‘Never acceptable’: Canadian envoy flays float depicting assassination of Indira Indira Gandhi

The float that glorified Gandhi’s assassination formed a part of a parade in Brampton to mark the 44th anniversary of Operation Blue Star on June 6. MacKay’s remarks come within days of two Canadian ministers condemning another float depicting the former Indian PM’s assassination as part of a protest by Khalistani activists in front of the Indian consulate in Vancouver. Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc and Anita Anand, president of the Treasury Board, had denounced the violent imagery used in the float last week.

The External Affairs Ministry has not yet reacted to these protests even as India is said to have already taken up the matter with the authorities in Canada.

Last month, in response to media queries regarding a float in the Nagar Kirtan parade in Canada’s Malton, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said New Delhi has repeatedly raised its strong concerns about the violent imagery used by extremist elements in Canada against India’s political leadership. India also has raised concerns over posters put up by Khalistani elements featuring images of Indian diplomats, threatening violence against them.

“Democratic countries, which respect the rule of law, should not allow intimidation by radical elements in the name of freedom of expression,” Jaiswal said, adding that Canada should stop “providing criminal and secessionist elements a safe haven”.

The float displayed in Brampton on June 6 depicted an effigy of late Indira Gandhi being fired upon by her bodyguards. The display also featured images of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India-Canada diplomatic relations have been strained since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in September last year alleged a “potential” involvement of Indian agents in Nijjar’s killing, who was shot outside a gurdwara in Surrey in June 2023. The Indian government termed Trudeau’s charges “absurd”.

Last week, Trudeau, while congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his poll victory, said, “Canada stands ready to work with his government to advance the relationship between our nations’ peoples — anchored to human rights, diversity, and the rule of law.”

PM Modi responded by saying that “India looks forward to working with Canada based on mutual understanding and respect for each other’s concerns”.