India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S Jaishankar, has cautioned Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Khalistan after a float in Canada depicting the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was allowed to take place.
The float in question was part of a parade organised by the Khalsa Day Parade in the Canadian city of Surrey. It featured a man dressed as Gandhi, surrounded by other men dressed as Sikh militants, while a replica of the Golden Temple was in the background.
The incident has drawn strong condemnation from the Indian government, which has accused the organisers of promoting terrorism and separatism. In response, Jaishankar has warned the countries involved that such incidents could damage their relationship with India.
In a series of tweets, Jaishankar said that the float was “a deliberate attempt to outrage” and that it was “not acceptable” to glorify terrorism. He added that the incident had “hurt” the sentiments of Indians living around the world and that it was important for countries to “realise the impact of these actions.”
It is not the first time such incidents have occurred in Canada, a country with a significant Sikh population. In 1985, Sikh militants assassinated Indira Gandhi in retaliation for the Indian government’s crackdown on their movement.
The incident comes when India faces increasing scrutiny over its treatment of minorities, particularly Muslims, and its handling of the ongoing conflict in Kashmir. The Indian government has been accused of using excessive force against protesters in the region and of violating the human rights of Kashmiris.
As tensions continue rising, countries must work together to promote peace and understanding. Jaishankar’s cautionary message reminds us that actions have consequences and that it is important to think before we act.
