- Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Arya, a member of the Liberal Party, tweeted a poster promoting the ‘Khalistan Freedom Rally’ of July 8 and condemned the abuse of Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedom by advocating violence and hate.
By: Shubham Ghosh
CHANDRA Arya, an Indian-origin parliamentarian in Canada, has strongly criticised the controversial pro-Khalistani posters that recently surfaced in the country labelling two top Indian diplomats in Ottawa and Toronto as “killers” of slain pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar and warned about the growing menace posed by Khalistan supporters in the North American country.
Arya, a member of the Liberal Party representing the Nepean constituency in Ontario and hails from the southern Indian state of Karnataka, expressed concern about the rising violence and hate promoted by Khalistanis in Canada.
In a tweet, he said, “Emboldened by non-criticism from elected officials of a recent Brampton parade portraying and celebrating the assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her bodyguards, they are now openly calling for violence against India diplomats.”
Khalistanis in Canada continue to reach new low in abusing our Charter of Rights and Freedom by promoting violence and hate.
Emboldened by non-criticism from elected officials of a recent Brampton parade portraying and celebrating the assassination of Indian Prime Minister… pic.twitter.com/c4LUEXQ5kW— Chandra Arya (@AryaCanada) July 4, 2023
In his tweet, he also posted a poster promoting the ‘Khalistan Freedom Rally’ scheduled for July 8 and condemned the abuse of Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedom by advocating violence and hate. He also highlighted the recent Brampton parade in Canada that celebrated the assassination of former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi last month, emphasising the need for elected officials to speak out against such actions.
Referring to the pro-Khalistani elements as “snakes in our backyard”, Arya warned that it is only a matter of time before they resort to more harmful actions.
The controversial Khalistani poster, which targeted Indian diplomats including India’s high commissioner to Ottawa and consul general in Toronto, has sparked outrage in India.
This incident follows the display of a tableau featuring Indira Gandhi with blood on her clothes and a poster seeking revenge for the attack on the Golden Temple in Amritsar in India’s Punjab.
India summoned the Canadian envoy and issued a demarche expressing concern over the activities of pro-Khalistani elements in Canada. The Indian government has urged Canadian authorities to take appropriate measures in response to planned protests by pro-Khalistan groups outside Indian missions in Canada on July 8.
Canada on Tuesday (4) assured India of the safety of its diplomats and expressed its commitment to the Vienna Conventions regarding the safety of diplomats. Canadian foreign minister Melanie Joly condemned the promotional materials circulated ahead of the Khalistan rally and said actions of a few individuals do not represent the entire community or Canada as a whole.
Indian external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said the issue will be raised with the Canadian government, highlighting that the “radical, extremist Khalistani ideology” is detrimental to India and its partner countries. He noted that India has repeatedly urged Canada, the UK, the US and Australia to refrain from giving space to pro-Khalistani separatists and extremist elements, waning that it would affect ties.
(With agency inputs)
