 "Pro-Khalistan parade in Toronto. Will it be same old story under Mark Carney?")
A pro-Khalistani and anti-Hindu parade in Toronto has aroused the ire of the Indian government.
The development comes just a week after Prime Minister Mark Carney and his Liberal Party won Canada’s federal election – which many had hoped would result in better ties between the nations compared to under the previous prime minister Justin Trudeau.
The Indian government on Monday conveyed to the Canadian High Commission “in the strongest terms” its concerns about the about the parade.
But what do we know about the parade? And will it be the same old Khalistani story under Carney?
Let’s take a closer look:
What happened?
As per The Federal, Khalistani supporters organised the parade in the Greater Toronto Area on Sunday.
The Khalistani supporters and their sympathisers waved flags and shouted pro-Khalistani and anti-Hindu slogans outside Canada’s Malton Gurdwara in Toronto, as per Outlook.
They demanded that 8 lakh Hindus be deported to India.
As per The Hindu, terms like “kill India” were bandied about.
Hindustan Times reported that people were heard calling for the deportation of “eight lakh Bharti” to “Hindustan.”
Firstpost has not independently confirmed this report.
The rally also featured a large struck with a mock jail with the effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
As per The Print, the parade also contained pro-Pakistan and pro-Sikh separatist propaganda.
A number of Canadian groups have condemned the parade.
Outlook quoted the Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce as saying, “History teaches us that calls for mass expulsion leads to unthinkable acts. This dangerous rhetoric must be denounced by all leaders.”
Canadian Hindu Volunteers added, “These are not the actions of ‘activists’. These are the tactics of radicalised ideologues, many of whom have exploited Canada’s asylum and immigration systems, presenting false claims of persecution to enter the country and build networks that fund, promote, and glorify violence.”
The Hindu Canadian Foundation (HCF) wrote on X that the “silence of many political leaders” in response to the remarks “must be recognised as implicit consent”.
“It is the duty of all MPs and MPPs, across party lines, to take a stand against this divisiveness and reaffirm Canada’s commitment to religious harmony and inclusivity. A civilised society cannot tolerate hate-mongering and attempts to fracture our diverse communities,” the HCF said.
The Federal quoted the Coalition of Hindus of North America as calling it a “shameful day.”
“The world has seen this template before and needs to be alarmed. Will city, provincial and national institutions take note? Will human rights groups or the media cover it?”
“This isn’t a protest against India’s government. It’s blatant anti-Hindu hatred from a Khalistani terrorist group, notorious for Canada’s deadliest attack,” Hindu community leader Shawn Binda wrote on X.
Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman wrote, “The jihadis rampaging through our streets have done significant damage to the social fabric running around, threatening any Jews they can find. But the Khalistanis are giving them a good run for their money on most hateful foreign-funded menace to society.
“Will Carney’s Canada be any different from Trudeau’s?”
The parade comes on the heels of a Sikh gurudwara and a Hindu temple being vandalised with pro-Khalistan graffiti.
Past instances and Trudeau’s support
Canada has previously seen such pro- Khalistani parades being held under Trudeau.
In May 2024, the very same town of Malton in the Greater Toronto Area witnessed a Khalsa Day parade, as per Hindustan Times.
The parade saw separatist slogans being chanted and an effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in chains and in a cage on prominent displayed.
The display was put up by the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ).
Trudeau had at the time said Canada was “a rule-of-law country with a strong and independent justice system, as well as a fundamental commitment to protecting all its citizens.”
In April 2024, pro-Khalistan slogans were raised at a rally attended by the then prime minister – leading India to summon the Canadian deputy high commissioner.
“To the nearly 800,000 Canadians of Sikh heritage across this country, we will always be there to protect your rights and your freedoms, and we will always defend your community against hatred and discrimination,” Trudeau said.
Trudeau was accompanied at the event by four cabinet ministers.
As he arrived on the podium, he was greeted with shouts of Khalistan Zindabad, PTI reported.
The parade also featured “wanted” posters of Modi and Shah, as per The Tribune.
In June 2023, a parade was organised in Brampton, Ontario ahead of the anniversary of Operation Bluestar.
The parade saw a float celebrating the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi — a female figure was shown in a blood-stained white saree, with the hands up, as turbaned men pointed guns at her.
A poster behind the scene read “Revenge for the attack on Darbar Sahib.”
Other tableaux at the event had featured posters of Sikh preacher Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
Trudeau, attending the G20 in India, had defended Canada.
Canada will always defend freedom of expression, freedom of conscience, and freedom of peaceful protest and it is extremely important to us,” he said.
“At the same time, we are always there to prevent violence and to push back against hatred. I think on the issue of the community, it is important to remember that the actions of the few do not represent the entire community or Canada,” Trudeau added.
Relations with Canada had nosedived under Trudeau, who had claimed in parliament that there was “credible” information connecting Indian government agents to the assassination of terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
India had denied Trudeau’s allegations calling all “absurd and motivated.”
What is India saying?
The Indian government has registered an objection with the Carney government.
“We have conveyed our concerns in the strongest terms to the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi regarding the parade held in Toronto, where unacceptable imagery and threatening language were used against our leadership and Indian citizens residing in Canada,” sources in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
The MEA further stated, “We once again call on Canadian authorities to take action against anti-India elements who promote hatred, extremism and a separatist agenda.”
As per The Times of India, New Delhi has said it is willing to work with the new Carney govt “based on respect for each other’s concerns and interests.”
The Print reported that India is likely to appoint a new High Commissioner to Canada soon.
These developments come as Carney is set to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday in a high-stakes meeting.
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