News
Separatist Sikhs launch ‘Kill India’ campaigns in Western capitals
View(s):India yesterday braced for ‘Kill India’ protests organised by Sikh separatists outside its diplomatic missions in several Western countries. The protests are being organised by separatists seeking to create a separate homeland for Sikhs known as ‘Khalistan.’ The protests are being organised to raise funds for the ‘Khalistan’ cause in the name of Hardeep Singh Niijar. Designated a wanted terrorist by the Indian government, Niijar, who headed pro-Khalistan outfits Khalistan Tiger Force and the Canadian arm of the Sikhs for Justice, was shot dead by unidentified assailants outside a Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) at Surry in Canada last month.
India this week issued summons to the Canadian High Commissioner in Delhi after a poster released by pro-Khalistani outfits labeling Indian diplomats as “killers” sparked outrage.
“Canada takes its obligations under the Vienna Conventions regarding the safety of diplomats very seriously. Canada remains in close contact with Indian officials in light of some of the promotional material circulating online regarding a protest planned for July 8, which are unacceptable,” Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said on Twitter on Tuesday (4).
“Posters inciting violence against our diplomats and our diplomatic premises abroad are unacceptable, and we condemn them in the strongest terms,” India’s External Affairs Ministry Spokesman Arindam Bagchi, told journalists on Thursday.
He said, with respect to Canada, the matter had been “strongly taken up” with the Canadian authorities, both in New Delhi and in Ottawa.
“We have called on the Government of Canada to take all steps to ensure the safety of our diplomats and security of our diplomatic missions in Canada. It is a matter of concern that freedom of expression and speech is once again being misused by anti-India elements based in Canada and elsewhere,” Mr Bagchi said.
He added that there had been instances where such threats had also taken place against Indian diplomats and diplomatic missions in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.
Quoting Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, he said India strongly believed that countries should not pander to “votebank politics.”
“In the name of freedom of expression, we should not be giving space to those who advocate violence, propagate separatism or legitimise terrorism,” Mr Bagchi said.
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!