India Demands Action After ‘Hateful’ Khalistani Parade In Canada Shows Caged Modi, Shah Effigies: Report

New Delhi has strongly protested to the Canadian High Commission after a controversial anti-Hindu parade was held in Toronto, featuring controversial imagery including caged effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The parade, led by Khalistani sympathisers, also included demands for the deportation of 8,00,000 Hindus from Canada to India.

According to sources cited by news agency ANI, India has conveyed its concerns in the “strongest terms” over the use of “unacceptable imagery and threatening language” targeting Indian leadership and citizens living in Canada. “We once again call on the Canadian authorities to act against anti-India elements who spread hatred and advocate extremism and separatist agenda,” the sources added.

Pro-Khalistan Parade In Toronto Shows Caged Effigies Of PM Modi, Amit Shah, S Jaishankar

The parade reportedly took place in the Malton Gurdwara area of Toronto. A video of the event has since gone viral on social media and shows a large truck displaying a mock-up jail housing the effigies of the Indian leaders. This comes amid rising concerns following incidents of vandalism of a Sikh gurdwara and a Hindu temple in Canada, both defaced with pro-Khalistan graffiti.

Shawn Binda, a Hindu community leader based in Canada, posted the video online and condemned the event. “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, yet arrogantly claiming the right to stay. #KhalistaniTerrorism,” Binda tweeted.

Binda’s reference to Canada’s “deadliest attack” is widely understood to allude to the 1985 bombing of Air India Flight 182 (Kanishka), which was brought down by Khalistani separatists, killing all 329 people on board. The flight was en route from Montreal to Bombay.

Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman also weighed in, calling the parade part of a larger problem of hate-fuelled extremism. “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 Mark Carney’s Canada be any different from Justin Trudeau’s?” Bordman posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The incident occurred just days after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney led the Liberal Party to a surprise electoral victory, defying expectations amidst economic challenges.

Calling it a “shameful day”, the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) said, “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?”

Notably, Khalistan flags and anti-India visuals had also appeared at last month’s Khalsa Day Vaisakhi Parade in Surrey. That event drew sharp criticism as well, after visuals emerged showing “wanted” posters of PM Modi and Amit Shah being carried by participants.

The Indian government continues to urge Canadian authorities to take prompt and decisive action against individuals and groups promoting hate and separatism.

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