India is set to formally lodge a diplomatic complaint with the Canadian government over a disturbing float displayed during a protest in Vancouver on Thursday. The float depicted the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, a controversial event linked to the 1984 Operation Bluestar military operation in the Golden Temple.
The protest, organized by pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), commemorated the 40th anniversary of Operation Bluestar. The float, featuring an effigy of Indira Gandhi riddled with bullets and accompanied by her assassins, sparked outrage and condemnation.
Indian officials confirmed that a formal diplomatic complaint, known as a note verbale, will be conveyed to Global Affairs Canada, the country's foreign ministry. While similar protests were held in Toronto, such provocative floats were not reported there.
Escalating Tensions and Threats
Gurpatwant Pannun, SFJ's general counsel, escalated tensions by issuing a warning that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a "target" for "transnational terrorism," citing the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia, last year.Despite the heated atmosphere, local law enforcement and diplomatic security units managed to prevent any incidents at the Indian missions in Vancouver and Toronto.
Historical Context and Previous Condemnation
This is not the first time such a display has occurred in Canada. In June 2023, a similar float depicting the assassination of Indira Gandhi appeared during a parade in the Greater Toronto Area, prompting condemnation from Canada's High Commissioner to India, Cameron Mackay.Indira Gandhi, the first and only female Prime Minister of India, was assassinated by her own bodyguards in 1984, triggering widespread anti-Sikh riots across the country. The incident remains a sensitive and controversial topic in India.
The Khalistan movement, advocating for an independent Sikh homeland in Punjab, has been a source of tension between India and some segments of the Sikh diaspora in countries like Canada. The recent events highlight the ongoing challenges in managing these complex issues and the potential for them to spill over into international relations.
