At the Khalsa Day Celebrations held in Toronto, fervent chants of pro-Khalistan slogans resonated through the air, echoing amidst the presence of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and opposition leader Pierre Poilievre. This occurrence emerges against the backdrop of escalating anti-India sentiments within Canada.
The chants, notably of “Khalistan Zindabad,” surged in volume as Prime Minister Trudeau prepared to address the gathering to mark Khalsa Day. Videos released by Canada-based CPAC TV captured the moment as Trudeau proceeded with his speech despite the clamor.
The event, attended by prominent figures including NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, witnessed a similar scenario during Pierre Poilievre’s address as the leader of the official opposition.
Thousands of attendees congregated in downtown Toronto on Sunday for one of the city’s largest annual gatherings, organized by the Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwaras Council (OSGC). Vaisakhi, also known as Khalsa Day, commemorates the founding of the Sikh community in 1699 and marks the Sikh New Year.
The OSGC, responsible for orchestrating the parade down Lake Shore Boulevard, asserts its event as the nation’s third-largest parade, regularly drawing a multitude of spectators, as reported by CBC News.
Despite the vocal protests, Prime Minister Trudeau delivered a resolute message to the Sikh community, reaffirming the government’s commitment to safeguarding their rights and freedoms. He emphasized Canada’s strength in diversity and reiterated the alignment of Sikh values with Canadian values.
Trudeau assured, “To the nearly 800,000 Canadians of Sikh heritage across this country, we will always be there to protect your rights and your freedoms, and we will always defend your community against hatred and discrimination.”
Acknowledging the need for enhanced security measures, Trudeau pledged to bolster security at community centers and places of worship, including Gurdwaras, emphasizing the fundamental right to practice religion freely as enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
However, Trudeau’s remarks coincide with strained diplomatic relations between India and Canada, exacerbated by the killing of India-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The incident, occurring as Nijjar exited a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023, triggered allegations from Trudeau of Indian involvement, vehemently denied by India, leading to a deterioration in diplomatic ties between the two nations.
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