Justin Trudeau on pro-Khalistan gatherings and terrorists in the country

OTTAWA: Reacting to allegations that the Canadian government is soft and reluctant to act against pro-Khalistan gatherings and terrorists in the country, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada has “always taken serious action against terrorism and we always will.”

In the past couple of months, three major anti-India incidents involving Khalistani separatists have been reported in Canada. Calling Canada an “extremely diverse country,” he said his country will make sure that violence and extremism are pushed back in all its forms.

Trudeau refuted allegations that he is soft on terrorist elements. His statement comes after India summoned Canadian High Commissioner in New Delhi over propaganda material, including posters, containing threats to Indian diplomats being circulated in Canada and has served a demarche to the Justin Trudeau government.

In response to a question regarding the parade in Canada depicting the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Trudeau said, “They are wrong. Canada has always taken extremely seriously violence and threats of violence. We have always taken serious action against terrorism and we always will.”

“We have an extremely diverse country and freedom of expression is something that we have. But, we will also make sure that we are pushing back against violence and extremism in all its forms,” he added.

According to sources, India on Monday raised concerns over threats to its diplomats in posters being circulated in Canada with information on a pro-Khalistan rally to be held on July 8. The posters contained threats to the Indian Ambassador to Canada and the consulate general in Toronto.

The posters purportedly circulated by Sikh extremists have named Indian High Commissioner to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma and the Consulate General of India, Toronto, Apoorva Srivastava accusing them of playing a role in the June killing of Khalistan Tiger Force chief and designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. (ANI)

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