At the Khalsa Day Celebrations in Toronto, amid the presence of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and opposition leader Pierre Poilievre, fervent chants of pro-Khalistan slogans echoed through the crowd. The event witnessed NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow alongside other attendees. This occurrence unfolds against a backdrop of escalating anti-India sentiments within Canada.
As PM Trudeau prepared to address the gathering, the chants of “Khalistan Zindabad” grew louder, captured in footage released by Canada’s CPAC TV. Similar chants emerged during Pierre Poilievre’s address as he took to the stage.
Thousands gathered in downtown Toronto for the annual Khalsa Day celebration, organized by the Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwaras Council (OSGC), marking the founding of the Sikh community in 1699 and the Sikh New Year.
The parade down Lake Shore Boulevard, claimed by the OSGC as the nation’s third-largest parade, consistently attracts a sizable audience.
Amidst the festivities, Trudeau assured the Sikh community of Canada’s commitment to safeguarding their rights and freedoms, emphasizing the strength derived from the nation’s diversity. He reiterated the government’s dedication to defending against discrimination and hatred.
Trudeau’s reassurances come amidst strained diplomatic relations between Canada and India. Tensions escalated following the killing of India-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia, prompting allegations and denials between the two nations, further complicating their ties.
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