Sikh Parade In Brampton Showcases Indira Gandhi’s Assassination, Shocks India
BRAMPTON (IANS) – A tableau depicting former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination by Sikh bodyguards was showcased in a parade in Canada’s Punjabi-dominated Brampton.
The tableau, part of a Sikh parade in Brampton on June 4, depicted Khalistan flags with a poster that says “revenge.”
Intelligence agencies believed that it seemed to be linked with the 39th anniversary of the Indian Army’s ‘Operation Bluestar’ in Amritsar which was carried out between June 1 and 8, 1984, claiming several lives and leaving the Golden Temple and its complex in Amritsar damaged.
‘Operation Bluestar’ was a military action ordered by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to flush out militants led by Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale holed up in the Golden Temple complex.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on June 8 expressed his anger and said there is a larger underlying issue about the space which is given to separatists and “it is not good for relationships”.
He slammed Canada over the incident and said giving space to extremists is not good for the country. “I think there is a bigger issue involved…Frankly, we are at a loss to understand other than the requirements of vote bank politics why anybody would do this…I think there is a larger underlying issue about the space which is given to separatists, to extremists, to people who advocate violence. I think it is not good for relationships, not good for Canada,”
Earlier, High Commissioner for Canada in India Cameron MacKay condemned the celebration of the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. “I am appalled by reports of an event in Canada that celebrated the assassination of late Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. There is no place in Canada for hate or for the glorification of violence. I categorically condemn these activities,” he said in a tweet.
Former Union Minister Milind Deora said he was appalled by the parade and added that extremism deserves universal condemnation and a united response. “As an Indian, I’m appalled by the 5km-long parade which took place in the city of Brampton, Canada, depicting the assassination of Indira Gandhi. It’s not about taking sides, it’s about respect for a nation’s history and the pain caused by its Prime Minister’s assassination. This extremism deserves universal condemnation & a united response,” he said in a tweet.
Earlier, a Hindu temple was vandalized with ‘anti-India’ graffiti in Brampton province, leaving the Indian community in shock.
India had already summoned the Canadian High Commissioner to convey “its strong concerns about the actions by pro-Khalistani extremist elements against Indian diplomatic missions in Canada in recent times.”
Vijay
/
The High Commissioner should be expelled!
June 8, 2023Daljit (Dean) Singh
/
I am a Sikh, and I am totally appalled by the Brampton parade. The depiction of the assassination of Indra Gandhi by a marginalized few does not represent the community, nor it resolves the issues of the time, no matter how unfortunate it was fifty years ago. This is not what Sikhism stands for. We seek justice through the dialogue of rational persuasions and evidence to support our contentions that several acts of injustice were perpetuated against Sikhs by the people in power in the government of India. The responsible individuals should be punished and brought to the court of justice and served justice accordingly. This parade served no legitimate purpose except for those who managed it. The government of Canada is not responsible for the parade. It is far more enlightened and is respectful of human rights than many current governments in Asia, we know of. Let us call a spade, a spade.
June 8, 2023moe
/
DEPORT these SIKHS back to India
June 8, 2023Nan
/
I concur with Daljit Singh. It is appalling that the assassination of Mrs Gandhi was on display and the focus placed on Khalistan. The Sikhs form about 2% of the Indian population. They have and continue to achieve laurels. They have held the highest office in Goverment, and armed forces in India, succeeded as entrepreneurs and businessmen and have a work ethic to be admired.
June 9, 2023I wish the float had focused the attention on their achievements around the world and their heroes.
Mrs Gandhi was advised to replace her bodyguards with non Sikhs but she refused to do so.
What was done to our sikh brethren by Hindus in the aftermath was deplorable and a stain on the nation and Hindus in particular because Ahimsa is a doctrine of Sanathana Dharma, and as a Hindu, I am ashamed.
Let us not forget that Sikhs and Hindus have shared values. Hindu families gave a son to swell the numbers when the Khalsa was first formed.
It is never too late to bring the perpetrators to justice regardless of their station in life. Only this hopefully will dispense with the call for Khalistan
and disband the proponents.
Hupender
/
Shameful act
June 22, 2023