TORONTO: Pro-Khalistan slogans were raised in the presence of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when he attended the annual Khalsa Day Celebrations in Toronto.
Pro-Khalistan slogans reverberated at the Khalsa Day Celebrations, where the Canadian Prime Minister was in attendance, along with other prominent political leaders.
The annual event, known as Vaisakhi, marks the celebration of the Sikh New Year and draws thousands of attendees from the Sikh community. Among the notable figures present were Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow.
As Prime Minister Trudeau took the stage to deliver his address, attendees raised loud chants of “Khalistan Zindabad” (Long live Khalistan), reflecting the sentiments of some sections of the Sikh community advocating for an independent Sikh state. Similar slogans were heard again during Pierre Poilievre’s speech at the event.
Organized by the Ontario Sikhs and Gurdwaras Council, the yearly gathering serves as a platform for community members to come together and celebrate their cultural and religious heritage.
In his speech, Prime Minister Trudeau reaffirmed his support for the Sikh community in Canada, emphasizing the importance of protecting their rights and freedoms. He highlighted Canada’s strength in diversity, emphasizing that Sikh values are integral to Canadian values.
“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,” Trudeau assured the Sikh community.
Acknowledging recent security concerns, Trudeau pledged to enhance security measures at Sikh community centers and places of worship, underscoring the government’s commitment to upholding religious freedom as enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
The event unfolded against the backdrop of strained bilateral relations between Canada and India following the murder of a Sikh leader in Canada. The incident has added complexity to the relationship between the two countries, prompting heightened attention to issues concerning the Sikh community in Canada.
