Friday, June 19, 2026
ADVT 
National

Sikh rally in Toronto with multi-party support prompts India diplomatic rebuke

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 29 Apr, 2024 04:08 PM
  • Sikh rally in Toronto with multi-party support prompts India diplomatic rebuke

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh at the Khalsa Day rally in Toronto on Sunday.

The rally commemorates the Sikh faith, and some participants chanted and carried banners emblazoned with slogans calling for a state separate from India, known as Khalistan.

India formally summoned Canada's deputy high commissioner Monday, and the country's foreign ministry decried what it called "disturbing actions being allowed to continue unchecked at the event."

India's foreign ministry didn't specify what it took issue with, but noted there were displays of separatism and alleged this illustrates Canada tolerating "extremism and violence."

New Delhi and Ottawa have been at odds over the issue for decades, and the relationship has been significantly strained since Trudeau accused India of playing a role in the slaying of a Canadian Sikh leader last year. 

Canada insists it will not infringe on free speech, including when Sikh people call for the existence of Khalistan. 

But India says these comments violate its constitution.

India has pointed out instances of people in Canada openly glorifying those linked to the 1985 bombing of an Air India plane, whose passengers were largely Canadian citizens. 

Human-rights groups says the country's Hindu nationalist government has increasingly persecuted minorities in recent years.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly's office did not immediately comment on India's rebuke Monday. 

Joly has repeatedly said she wants to navigate the diplomatic rift with India in private. 

MORE National ARTICLES

B.C. company expands antibody research, production facilities for second time

B.C. company expands antibody research, production facilities for second time
B.C. Premier David Eby said the expansion project will create more than 400 jobs, while ensuring world-leading medicines are developed in Canada for Canadians and people globally.

B.C. company expands antibody research, production facilities for second time

Surrey, B.C., municipal police force calls for clarity over future

Surrey, B.C., municipal police force calls for clarity over future
An open letter from the Surrey Police Service says the ongoing debate over whether the city transitions to using a municipal force or returns to the RCMP means employees are increasingly distracted by worries about their futures. The letter calls for "a clear and safe path forward for policing in Surrey."

Surrey, B.C., municipal police force calls for clarity over future

Driver strikes a pole in 152nd Street area of Surrey, road closures in effect

Driver strikes a pole in 152nd Street area of Surrey, road closures in effect
Surrey RCMP is investigating a single vehicle collision in the area of 152nd street and 62a Avenue. A vehicle was travelling north bound on 152 street when the driver lost control and struck a power pole, severely damaging it.

Driver strikes a pole in 152nd Street area of Surrey, road closures in effect

Surrey RCMP need the public's help in locating missing man Parmjit Dhillon

Surrey RCMP need the public's help in locating missing man Parmjit Dhillon
Parmjit was driving a 2007 white Honda Civic bearing British Columbia, license plate “595GMV”.  Parmjit is described as a South Asian male, 5’7”, 146 lbs, short white hair, brown eyes; wearing a black jacket.   

Surrey RCMP need the public's help in locating missing man Parmjit Dhillon

Cyclist struck in Maple Ridge

Cyclist struck in Maple Ridge
Ridge Meadows RCMP frontline members were first on scene and with support from BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) assessed that the cyclist suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The cyclist was transported to hospital.

Cyclist struck in Maple Ridge

Johnston advises against inquiry, but aims to hold hearings on foreign interference

Johnston advises against inquiry, but aims to hold hearings on foreign interference
The former governor general said an inquiry cannot be undertaken in public because of the sensitivity of the intelligence involved, and there would be considerable overlap with the work that he has already been doing to investigate the issue of alleged foreign meddling in the last two federal elections. 

Johnston advises against inquiry, but aims to hold hearings on foreign interference