Pro-Khalistan chants filled the air during a Khalsa parade in Toronto where Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the attendees on the occasion of Khalsa Day. His rival Pierre Poilievre of the Conservative Party and Jagmeet Singh of the New Democratic Party (NDP) also attended the rally.
Today, leaders from the Liberal, Conservative, and NDP parties joined the Khalsa parade (Parade of the Pure) in Toronto to appeal to Khalistan voters.Trudeau was gifted a sword, while Pierre took things a step further than Trudeau by bending the knee, and Jagmeet delivered… pic.twitter.com/RJW9ZNvSYk
— Mocha Bezirgan (@BezirganMocha) April 29, 2024
As Trudeau delivered his speech, pro-Khalistani chants were heard throughout. “We have to remember and get reminded on days such as this and every day, that Sikh values are Canadian values. Truth, justice, openness, compassion, service, human rights. These are the values at the heart of Sikhism. These are the values of the heart of Sikh Canadian communities. But they’re also values at the heart of all Canadians,” Trudeau said as Khalistan Zindabad slogans were chanted.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh! Happy Vaisakhi! pic.twitter.com/B9nymTeVyb— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) April 29, 2024
The video of the rally went viral on social media after Mocha Bezirgan shared it on social media site X. He said that Justin Trudeau was gifted a sword by the rally organisers.
In the video, Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre can also be seen taking a knee, as a mark of respect for the community. Jagmeet Singh delivered his speech in Punjabi.
“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,” he said.
He said that his government will enhance the security infrastructure program for more security at community centres and across all gurudwaras. “Your right to practise your religion freely and without intimidation is exactly that – a fundamental right, guaranteed in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, that we will always stand up and defend you for,” he further added.
Khalistani separatists and the Canadian government’s policies which do not restrict them from spreading Hinduphobia and anti-India hatred has led to deterioration of India-Canada ties.
Khalistani separatists have been tied to incidents of vandalism at Hindu temples as well as attacks on members of the Indian diaspora. The separatists have also attacked Sikhs who do not agree with their ideology.
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