In a strong-worded rebuttal, India has accused the Canadian government’s hypocrisy of “adopting different yardsticks to measure or implement the rule of law and freedom of expression”. A day after Sikh separatists issued threats to Indian-origin Canadian MP, Chandra Arya, and his Indian friends, India gave a firm warning to Canada stating that it expects immediate and stringent action against anti-India factions who have persistently issued violent threats against Indian diplomats, leaders, and institutions.
Speaking on the matter of the vandalization of BAPS Swaminarayan Temple in Edmonton by separatist terrorists, spokesperson Jaiswal stated that India strongly condemns the incident. It further noted that such terror attacks against temples and Hindu institutions in Canada are recurring with a purpose that is not difficult to fathom. MEA stated that the Central government authorities have strongly taken up the matter with Canadian authorities and Canadian diplomats in India.
Meanwhile, exposing Canada’s “double standards” India pointed out that the government swiftly acted against two men who made online threats against PM Justin Trudeau, however, did not take similar action against pro-separatist elements making threats against Indian leaders and diplomats.
Highlighting the Trudeau government’s failure to address anti-India violence, the MEA spokesperson pointed out that despite a “number of such incidents” in Canada in recent times, the “lack of action against the perpetrators” by the government has emboldened such criminal elements. “Those advocating and responsible for extremism and violence need to be brought to justice or else the rule of law and respect for pluralism in Canada will continue to be severely undermined,” Jaiswal added.
Consequently, Indian-origin Canadian MP Chandra Arya also criticized the rise of anti-India elements in the country, stating that such separatist figures are “polluting” the land and are abusing the freedoms guaranteed under the Charter of Rights. Responding to the threats issued by Sikh separatist Pannun, Arya stated that the Hindus have “enriched the multicultural fabric of Canada” with the long history of Hindu culture and heritage.
It is to be noted that the ties between India and Canada have nosedived, with New Delhi maintaining that the main issue between the two nations is Canada providing a safe haven to pro-separatist elements that operate against India from Canadian soil with impunity.
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