A rally called by pro-Khalistan protesters outside the Indian Consulate in Vancouver failed on Monday, with barely 25 people attending the protest.
A rally was called outside the Consulate at 12 noon on Monday to protest against India over the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has alleged the “possible” involvement of Indian agents in the murder of 45-year-old Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia. India designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020. New Delhi angrily rejected the allegations as “absurd” and “motivated” and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in retaliation for Ottawa’s expulsion of an Indian official over the case.
Sources said around 20-25 people had gathered outside the Indian Consulate and waved Khalistan as well as Canadian flags. Sources said many attendees carried placards thanking Justin Trudeau for “standing with the Sikhs”.
Sources said the protesters at the rally outnumbered the media persons and police personnel. While the official press release stated that approximately 100 protesters participated in the demonstration, witnesses put the attendance at less than 25.
Canada on Monday updated its travel advisory for its citizens in India and asked them to “remain vigilant and exercise caution” in the context of recent developments as calls for protests on social media and some “negative sentiment towards Canada ” Is.
This comes after New Delhi issued a similar advisory for Indian citizens and students living in Canada and halted visa services late last week, Global News reported.
India had also last week announced to temporarily suspend the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens in view of the “security threats” faced by its High Commission and Consulates.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the decision also included Canadian visa applicants from third countries, although he said Canada should take action against Khalistani supporters operating from its own territory.
India-Canada relations have been under some strain for the past few months in view of the increasing activities of pro-Khalistani elements in the North American country. India believes that the Trudeau government is not addressing its genuine concerns.