NEW DELHI: In response to a video that went viral on social media showing a parade float in Canada's Brampton, purportedly organised by Khalistani sympathisers, depicting the death of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi there, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar lashed out at Canada on Thursday.
"I believe there is a larger issue at play...We honestly don't know why anyone would do this, other from the demands of vote-bank politics...I believe there is a deeper underlying problem with the airtime given to separatists, extremists, and pro-violence individuals. The minister stated, "I believe it is not good for partnerships and not good for Canada.
The procession spanned 5 kilometres, including the float. The video in question is thought to be from a procession of Khalistan supporters organised in Brampton on June 4, which coincided with the forthcoming June 6 celebration of the 39th anniversary of Operation Blue Star. Social media users harshly criticised the video and the march that supporters of Khalistan organised in the comments section.
The goal of the operation was to allay worries about weapon storage on temple property. It did, however, draw a lot of criticism. A few months later, on October 31, 1984, two of Indira Gandhi's Sikh bodyguards killed her at her New Delhi home.
On June 6, 1984, the Indian Army began Operation Blue Star at the direction of the then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in an effort to quell Sikh militancy in Punjab's Golden Temple under the leadership of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
The goal of the operation was to allay worries about weapon storage on temple property. It did, however, draw a lot of criticism. A few months later, on October 31, 1984, two of Indira Gandhi's Sikh bodyguards killed her at her New Delhi home.
