Category: Canada

Trudeau’s change in stance has not gone unnoticed by Canadians, many of whom were initially perplexed by his hasty and baseless allegations against India….reports Asian Lite News

In a surprising turn of events, Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau extended warm wishes to the Hindu community on the occasion of Navratri, signaling a significant shift in his approach.

His softening tone and willingness to build closer ties with India stand in stark contrast to his earlier assertions that Indian agents were behind Nijjar’s killing. This abrupt about-face comes as a response to the lack of evidence to support his initial accusations.

Trudeau took to his official social media account to convey his Navratri greetings, saying, “Happy Navratri! I’m sending my warmest wishes to members of the Hindu community and all those who are celebrating this festival.” This gesture was accompanied by an official press statement emphasizing the significance of Navratri in the Hindu faith.

The statement highlighted the festival’s importance as a celebration of the victory of the goddess Durga over the buffalo-headed demon Mahishasura and the triumph of good over evil. Trudeau described Navratri as a time for friends and family to come together, and honor traditions with prayers, joyous performances, special meals, and fireworks. He also recognized the festival as an opportunity to learn more about Hindu culture and acknowledge their contributions to Canada.

Trudeau’s change in stance has not gone unnoticed by Canadians, many of whom were initially perplexed by his hasty and baseless allegations against India. The diplomatic standoff that followed his statements had put a strain on Canada’s relations with India, a crucial global partner.

The turnaround in Trudeau’s approach is seen by many as an admission of a premature judgment that lacked concrete evidence. The absence of proof to substantiate his claims of Indian involvement in Nijjar’s killing forced the Prime Minister to reevaluate his position. It is a reminder that international relations must be guided by facts and evidence rather than rhetoric and speculation.

Before extending his Navratri wishes, Trudeau faced criticism from the Indian community over his government’s handling of the situation. Concerns were raised about the endorsement of designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who allegedly issued threats against Indian Consulates in G7 nations, including Canada. The Hindu Forum of Canada (HFC) called for immediate action against Pannun, citing his disturbing statements and activities.

Trudeau’s initial accusations had the potential to strain not only diplomatic relations but also the multicultural fabric of Canada itself. The Hindu community’s plea for a more measured approach and the subsequent retraction of baseless allegations have highlighted the importance of maintaining harmony and respectful relations among diverse communities in Canada.

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The forum further urged LeBlanc to investigate and charge Pannun in connection with hate crimes in Canada….reports Asian Lite News

A non-profit organization, representing the Indian community in Canada, has called on the Justin Trudeau government to promptly respond to the threats posed by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a pro-Khalistan hardliner, against Indian diplomats and consulates in G7 nations.”

Pannun, legal counsel of outlawed Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and a designated terrorist in India, issued fresh threats this week after Indians turned up in huge numbers for a rally at Mel Lastman Square in Toronto on Monday, condemning the Hamas attacks on Israel.

In an email to Canadian Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc on Thursday, the Hindu Forum Canada (HFC) said Pannun’s statement “endorses hatred and violence against Hindus”.

“Such statements must not be tolerated. We implore the government of Canada to take immediate action, as we are deeply concerned about the safety of our community. This kind of hateful video and speech is exacerbating hatred and violence,” HFC said.

The forum further urged LeBlanc to investigate and charge Pannun in connection with hate crimes in Canada.

“We strongly urge you to consider barring his (Pannun) entry to Canada if he is not a Canadian citizen. If he is indeed a Canadian citizen, we implore that he be investigated and charged in connection with hate crimes,” HFC said.

In a viral video message on X, Pannun called the Representative Office of India in Palestine as a “terror house” and threatened envoy Renu Yadav.

“On October 21st, from G7 Nations, from Canada to Australia, Sikhs for Justice is going to shut down terror houses of India in Vancouver, Washington DC, London, Frankfurt, and Milan. The People of Palestine, shut down the Indian terror house in Ramallah and remove Renu Yadav.

“Like Palestine, the only peaceful solution to conflict between Sikhs and India is (to) let the people… decide their future through a referendum on the question of Khalistan,” he added.

Parallel to the call for October 21 rallies, the SFJ also launched an email campaign through which members can send a pre-drafted email to the G7 governments.

Last month, Pannun had threatened Indo-Canadian Hindus to leave the country and return to India.

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Bordman’s tweet follows baseless claims made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who suggested an Indian conspiracy in connection with the extremist Nijjar’s death….reports Parminder Singh Sodhi

In a recent tweet, Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman voiced his concerns about a troubling poster circulating within certain circles, including on social media and within some Gurudwaras.

This poster, alarmingly, features violent Khalistani extremist Hardeep Nijjar alongside the mastermind of the Air India bombing, and openly threatens Indian diplomats.

The tweet reflects an international sentiment, resonating not just in Canada, but amongst Sikhs globally who find themselves at odds with the violent and terror-inducing ideology of Khalistan extremism.

Bordman’s tweet comes on the heels of unfounded accusations by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who alleged an Indian conspiracy behind the extremist Nijjar’s killing.

This episode has yet again spotlighted the discord between the self-serving identity politics played on the global stage and the real issues faced by Sikhs living in Punjab, India.

The misrepresentation of Sikh sentiments by a few extremists in the diaspora is not just a gross injustice, but a dangerous game that threatens to rekindle old wounds.

The Khalistan movement, which reached its zenith in the 1980s and early 1990s, left a deep scar on the Sikh community, both in India and abroad. The Air India bombing in 1985, orchestrated by Khalistani terrorists, remains one of the deadliest terror attacks in Canadian history. It’s a stark reminder of the violence this extremist ideology can incite.

It raises a pertinent question when the Khalistani extremists, who purportedly champion the cause of Sikhs, remain conspicuously silent on the grim realities faced by the Sikh community in Pakistan.

The violence, persecution, and execution of Sikhs in Pakistan are issues that seldom find a mention in the rhetoric of these extremists.

The dismal state of Gurudwaras in Pakistan, some of which have been reduced to ruins, and the existential crisis faced by the Sikh community there, with a dwindling population of around 15,000 Sikhs, is a narrative starkly missing from their discourse.

This selective silence could arguably be attributed to the alleged patronage of Pakistan’s ISI, which is believed to fuel the Khalistan movement to foster regional instability.

By turning a blind eye to the plight of Sikhs in Pakistan while agitating for a separatist cause in India, these extremists not only expose the duplicity in their agenda but also undermine the genuine concerns and aspirations of Sikhs worldwide. The divergence between the political machinations of Khalistani extremism and the real-world issues faced by Sikhs is a chasm that continues to challenge the integrity and unity of the Sikh diaspora.

The reality in Punjab is far detached from the violent fantasies of Khalistani propagandists. The Sikh community in Punjab is primarily concerned with uplifting their society and quality of life, and addressing issues such as unemployment, education and drugs from across the border.

The dream of a separate Khalistan finds no resonance amongst the Sikhs living in Punjab, whose aspirations are tethered to the ground realities of economic stability and social harmony.

Sikhs in Punjab look towards a future that is inclusive, progressive, and devoid of the sectarian violence that once plagued the state. The global Sikh community, too, shares these aspirations, making it imperative for the narrative to shift from the outdated and dangerous rhetoric of Khalistan extremism to the real and pressing issues faced by Sikhs.

In recent years, the government has initiated various schemes aimed at youth employment and skill development, indicating a focus on economic upliftment rather than on divisive identity politics. Moreover, the vehement opposition to the Khalistan narrative by prominent Sikh personalities and organizations within India, and across the world, underlines the community’s broader disinterest in extremist ideologies.

The juxtaposition in Bordman’s tweet – of a violent extremist and a terrorist mastermind threatening Indian diplomats – is a grim reminder of the disservice being done to the Sikh community by those who misuse the platform and identity of Sikhism for their violent agendas. It is high time that the discourse is steered away from the shadows of extremism, and aligned with the true aspirations and immediate concerns of Sikhs both in Punjab and across the globe.

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