Khalistanis took to the streets against PM Modi before G-7 summit in Canada

Ottawa. Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation in the G7 summit held in Alberta province of Canada, hundreds of Khalistani extremists protested in Calgary. These protesters took to the streets shouting slogans against PM Modi and waving pro-Khalistani flags. These protests are taking place at a time when Prime Minister Modi has arrived in Canada on Monday to participate in the G-7 summit after concluding his visit to Cyprus.

Where did the protest take place
On June 16, a large convoy starting from Calgary’s Dashmesh Gurudwara marched through the streets of the city. The protesters raised slogans against PM Modi and showed his effigy locked in a prison-like structure. Some posters depicted Modi handcuffed and “wanted”, claiming that he was responsible for the murder of ‘Canadian citizen’ Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

These protests were organised by a Khalistani group called Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), which openly glorifies the assassins of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. It is an American organisation founded by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu. Pannu said in a video message, “We are ready to end Modi’s politics at the G7 summit.” In a video viral on social media, some protesters were seen using abusive language against India and Hindus and raising pro-Khalistan slogans.

Canadian government and security system
Canada’s new Prime Minister Mark Carney had invited PM Modi to the G7 summit in view of India’s growing economic power. However, some Canadian MPs and the New Democratic Party (NDP) objected to this invitation. A no-fly zone has been imposed in Calgary and Kananaskis for security, and extensive security arrangements have been made by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), provincial police, First Nations and the Canadian Armed Forces.

However, there has been no official statement from the Canadian government yet on the openly threatening slogans and violent rhetoric of the protesters. Some protesters claimed that they would protest via live-stream at the G7 summit for the next 48 hours.

India’s response
The Indian government has strongly condemned these protests. Former Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal termed it “unacceptable” and said, “The slogan of ending Modi’s politics is actually a threat to kill him, which has been tried to be hidden by adding the word ‘politics’. This slogan is completely absurd.” He demanded the Canadian government to take strict action against Khalistani extremists.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri termed the protesters as “hired ponies” and said that these protests are being carried out through funding from the neighboring country (Pakistan). Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa expressed concern over the involvement of children in these protests and called it “abuse of children for political agenda”.

Relations between India and Canada have been strained in recent years due to Khalistani activities. In 2023, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau alleged the involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which India rejected as “absurd”. Incidents of attacks on temples and violence against Indian diplomats by Khalistani supporters have also been reported in Canada.