Terrorism cannot be legitimised under guise of free speech – India issues stern warning to Canada against supporting separatists

New Delhi/Ottawa: India strongly criticised the Canadian Prime Minister, who was seen trying to legitimise the anti-India activities of Khalistani separatists in Canada in the name of freedom of expression. We cannot stand in favour of violence, and terrorism cannot be justified under the guise of free speech, stated the Indian External Affairs Ministry. India has reprimanded Canada on the same issue earlier as well. India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar, noted that the government is showing leniency while taking action against separatists in Canada. At the same time, India warned that this would be fatal for India-Canada bilateral relations.

Moreover, Khalistani separatists are carrying out anti-India activities in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. The Indian embassy and religious places are being targeted here. Some Khalistani leaders in Pakistan, Canada, and the United Kingdom have died in the last six months. By holding India responsible, Khalistani groups have organised demonstrations in these countries. The conspiracy under this guise aims to target the Indian Embassy and officials. Recently, Khalistani separatists put up some posters in Canada. The separatists tried to provoke Indian officials by calling them ‘killers’. At the same time, the Khalistani insurgents also attacked and set on fire the Indian Embassy in San Francisco, USA.

Against this background, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar warned these countries. This separatist ideology is not good for India and will not be in anyone else’s interest. It will be equally fatal for countries like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, stated External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. While referring to Canada, Dr Jaishankar also claimed that the Canadian government supports the Khalistanis for political agreement and votes. For this, Canada is showing leniency in taking action against these separatists. But this is not healthy for Canada-India relations, warned Dr Jaishankar.

Furthermore, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reacted to this. The idea that the Canadian government is soft on Khalistani supporters and terrorists is wrong, he claimed. ‘The Government of Canada has always been serious about taking action against terrorism and violence. However, Canada is a country of diversity where freedom of expression is respected. But we will try to control all forms of violence,’ said Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau.

By citing freedom of expression, the Prime Minister of Canada appeared to be trying to support the separatists and legitimise their anti-India activities. Thus, India’s sharp reaction against it has come to the fore. Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi strongly criticised Canada. ‘The issue is not about freedom of expression but about favouring violence under the guise of freedom of expression. This is about propagating separatism and supporting terrorism under the pretext of freedom of expression,’ said Bagchi as he gave the Canadian Prime Minister a reality check.

Besides, Bagchi warned that extremism and terrorism should not be sheltered in the name of freedom of expression. He condemned the statement made by the Prime Minister of Canada. This issue has been raised before Canada, he further asserted.

Meanwhile, the UK government has given a clear signal to Khalistani separatists that an attempt to attack the Indian High Commission will not be tolerated. In March, Khalistani protesters entered the Indian High Commission in London and brought down the tricolour of India. A severe reaction emerged from India after this. Against this background, the UK government is now adopting a cautious approach, and the security of the Indian High Commission is under review.