India Slams Canada for Glorifying Violence Against Political Leaders

India criticized Canada for allowing a float that depicted objectionable imagery and effigies, emphasizing that the celebration and glorification of violence have no place in a civilized society. The Ministry of External Affairs expressed strong concerns over the violent imagery used by extremist elements in Canada against Indian political leadership.

The float, organized as part of a Sikh heritage celebration in Malton, Ontario, featured a prison-like structure with an effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India had previously protested against a similar float depicting the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984. Last week, Canada arrested three persons of Indian origin in connection with the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023. India is yet to officially comment on the arrests, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has indicated that the arrests seem to be related to gangs operating within Canada.