- Saturday, June 29, 2024
The poster accusing the Indian diplomats is an invitation to a rally named ‘Khalistan Freedom Rally’ which will be held on July 8.
By: Shubham Ghosh
IN yet another incident that could challenge India’s smooth ties with Canada, a poster titled ‘Kill India’, released by pro-Khalistan leaders in the North American country accusing Indian high commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma and Indian consul general in Toronto Apoorva Srivastava of assassinating Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar who was shot dead by unknown assailants in Canada’s Surrey last month.
No official statement was released by New Delhi at the time of writing this report.
The poster accusing the Indian diplomats is an invitation to a rally named ‘Khalistan Freedom Rally’ which will be held on July 8.
This is extremely dangerous.
Khalistanis are whipping up anger targeting Indian diplomats they call "Killers" of "Shaheed" (Martyr) Hardeep Nijjar, shot in a Mafia-style hit in Surrey BC June 18. There is zero evidence of any Indian role. Grossly irresponsible. pic.twitter.com/6ApDZOXgEb
— Terry Milewski (@CBCTerry) July 3, 2023
According to the poster, the rally will kick off at Greater Punjab Business Centre Malton in Mississauga and conclude at the Indian embassy in Toronto even though there is no Indian embassy but the Indian consulate general in that city. It also shows photographs of the two above-mentioned officials and calls them as the killer of Nijjar, the third Khalistan leader to have died in a span of 45 days.
Nijjar was the chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force.
A senior official from India’s external affairs ministry told The Indian Express that while it was aware of the matter, only an authorised person could make a statement. Requesting anonymity, the official added that it is a matter between the governments of India and Canada and that Ottawa must handle it properly.
Terry Milewski, a veteran journalist and author of “Blood for Blood – Fifty years of the global Khalistan Project,” shared the poster on Twitter and posted, “This is extremely dangerous. Khalistanis are whipping up anger targeting Indian diplomats they call ‘Killers’ of ‘Shaheed’ (Martyr) Hardeep Nijjar, shot in a Mafia-style hit in Surrey BC on June 18. There is zero evidence of any Indian role. Grossly irresponsible.”
"Kill India," the poster screams. No diplomat should be threatened like this. We have to hope the High Commissioner and the Consul are well protected and that the Nijjar murder is rapidly solved. (Whoever made the poster is no genius. There's no Indian "embassy" in Toronto.) pic.twitter.com/OUL5MXbdTe
— Terry Milewski (@CBCTerry) July 3, 2023
In another tweet, Milewski said, “Kill India,” the poster screams. No diplomat should be threatened like this. We have to hope the High Commissioner and the Consul are well protected and that the Nijjar murder is rapidly solved. (Whoever made the poster is no genius. There’s no Indian “embassy” in Toronto.)”
Puneet Sahani, an expert on Sikh issues, tweeted, “@narendramodi Ji, Khalistanis have now put a target on your seniormost diplomats in ??! Can you NOW degrade diplomatic relations with #cdnpoli to chargé d’affaires level & proscribe WSO? You risk destroying your entire legacy with Khalistan mismanagement.”
Balraj Deol, a veteran journalist from Toronto, replied to Sahani’s tweet, saying, “Canada is the base camp of Khalistanis. GOC (Government of Canada) and the establishment are in no mood to act.”
