Jaishankar slams Canada over ‘celebration’ of Indira Gandhi’s assassination: ‘requirements of vote bank politics’

“Frankly, we are at a loss to understand, other than the requirements of vote-bank politics, why anybody would do this… I think there is a larger underlying issue about the space which is given to separatists, to extremists, to people who advocate violence. I think it is not good for relationships, and not good for Canada,” he said.

A screengrab from the tableau in Brampton depicting Indira Gandhi’s assassination. (Twitter/@BalrajDeol4)

“If you look at their history, you would imagine that they learn from history and they would not like to repeat that history. It is not only one incident, however, egregious it may be,” he said.

I entirely agree! This is despicable and @DrSJaishankar should take it up strongly with the Canadian authorities. https://t.co/LrketZk9OS

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) June 8, 2023

Asked about reports of the Canadian NSA criticising India for commenting on Canada’s internal matter, Jaishankar said: “The phrase that came to mind is actually a Hindi phrase which is ‘ulta chor kotwal ko datey’ (the pot calling the kettle black)… If anybody has a complaint, we have a complaint about Canada,” he said.

Canada’s High Commissioner for India, Cameron MacKay, has condemned the incident. “I am appalled by reports of an event in Canada that celebrated the assassination of late Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. There is no place in Canada for hate or for the glorification of violence. I categorically condemn these activities,” he tweeted.

The six-second clip was shared on Twitter by one Balraj Deol on June 6, who said the float was part of a 5 km-long parade in Brampton on June 4. Deol’s Twitter profile says he is from Brampton.

The float depicted Indira Gandhi in a blood-stained white sari, with her hands raised, as two men wearing turbans pointed guns at her. A poster in the background said “Revenge of attack on Shri Darbar Sahib”.

A PTI report said the parade was organised by some Khalistani elements in Brampton.

On the activities of Khalistani elements, Jaishankar said India has issues in the UK and Australia as well, apart from Canada.

“Our point is that they are a very small minority. They do not represent any significant body of opinion. Our plea (to these countries) has been that please understand that these are marginal elements, extremist elements; they are not good for you, they are not good for us, they are not good for the relationship,” he said.

“It is not a message limited to Canada. Canada came up because you raised it and certain things have happened recently in Canada. If it happened somewhere (else) we would have said the same things,” Jaishankar said.

Condemning the incident, the Congress asked the government to take it up with the Canadian government. “We urge the government to summon the Canadian High Commissioner and lodge a serious protest and say clearly to the Canadian government that anti-India activities are unacceptable and we will not tolerate those. And if you still permit them, then sanctions will follow,” Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala said at a press conference.

“What is the Modi government doing? Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India, not leader of Congress party alone. She was described as ‘Durga’ on the floor of Parliament by none less than A B Vajpayee… Assassination of a former PM is celebrated and the Prime Minister of India does not say a single word. Why can’t he pick up his phone and speak to his counterpart in Canada… that such anti-India activity is taking place on the soil of a foreign country… how is it permitted,” he said, adding that the tableau was reprehensible and condemnable.

Sharing the video clip, Congress leader Milind Deora tweeted on Wednesday night: “As an Indian, I’m appalled by the 5 km-long parade which took place in the city of Brampton, Canada, depicting the assassination of Indira Gandhi… It’s not about taking sides, it’s about respect for a nation’s history and the pain caused by its Prime Minister’s assassination… This extremism deserves universal condemnation and a united response.”

“This is despicable and Dr S Jaishankar should take it up strongly with the Canadian authorities,” Jairam Ramesh, AICC general secretary in-charge of communications, tweeted.

“The disgusting event of Brampton… compels PM Modi to rise above partisan interests and speak against such events being allowed. Why has EAM S Jaishankar not summoned the Canadian High Commissioner yet? In his briefing today, S Jaishankar gave a general statement, instead of specifically acknowledging Indiraji’s martyrdom. Why did he prevaricate, and not unequivocally condemn the event? We demand a strong response from the Prime Minister himself, and the EAM and the Indian High Commission in Canada must take firm steps to convey the anger of 140 crore Indians,” tweeted AICC general secretary K C Venugopal.