Two senior ministers in the Liberal government cabinet say the promotional material for a planned activity protesting the killing of a Sikh leader in British Columbia is “unacceptable.”
One poster circulating online calling for a “Khalistan Freedom Rally” on July 8 in Toronto says “Kill India.” It adds that two Indian diplomats in Canada are the “faces” of the “killers” of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Nijjar, who advocated for a Sikh state independent of India, and served as the president of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, was gunned down in June.
“Canada remains in close contact with Indian officials in light of some of the promotional material circulating online regarding a protest planned for July 8th, which are unacceptable.”
Indian media reported on July 3 that New Delhi demarched Ottawa with regard to the planned protest targeting its diplomatic interests in Canada.
The Epoch Times reached out to GAC for comment but didn’t hear back by publication time. The RCMP was also contacted about the planned protest but it didn’t immediately respond.
Defence Minister Anita Anand reacted to the promotional material, calling it “unacceptable” as well, saying “they do not represent Canadians.”
Outrage
The murder of Nijjar has caused outrage in the Sikh community. The 45-year-old man was shot dead on June 18 while in his truck in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara.“Following this brazen act of violence, the Sikh community feels even more worried and unsafe than they had previously,” said Singh.
The NDP leader also asked Mendicino to look into allegations reported in the media with regard to the circumstances of Nijjar’s death.
The Indian government has long been concerned over activities conducted by proponents of Sikh separatism from within Canada.
Nijjar denied allegations of involvement in terrorist activity.
Police investigators are seeking the public’s help on the case and have not ascribed a motive for the murder.
“We are in the early stages of our investigation. We understand there is a lot of speculation regarding the motive of this homicide, but we are dedicated to learning the facts and letting the evidence lead our investigation,” said Sgt. Timothy Pierotti of Surrey’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team in a June 19 statement.
The Epoch Times contacted the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara for comment but didn’t immediately hear back.