A Mahatma Gandhi statue has been found defaced with pro-Khalistan graffiti and insults against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as per media reports.
The stick in the statue has been replaced by a Khalistani flag.
Anti-India Sentiments on the Rise in Canada
The vandalizing of the statue of the legendary Indian freedom leader and global non-violence icon represents the latest attack against Indian symbols by pro-Khalistan supporters in recent days.
Canadian media reported this week that the Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Verma, cancelled a scheduled appearance at an event in British Columbia at the last minute due to “security concerns” amid pro-Khalistan protests at the venue.
An Indian-origin journalist, Sameer Kaushal, was assaulted by protestors at the same event, according to a video. He was later rescued by police.
In these past few days, Indian diplomatic missions in London and San Francisco have also been targeted by pro-Khalistan protestors, provoking a strong diplomatic response from New Delhi.
Punjab Situation Raised in Canada's Parliament
Meanwhile, several Canadian MPs from across the political spectrum have been critical of the internet and communication curbs in the Indian state of Punjab which have been in place since the weekend.
As of Friday morning, internet services remained suspended in two of Punjab’s districts--Tarn Taran and Ferozepur, for security reasons. Communication curbs have been lifted in other parts of the state.
Iqwinder Singh Gaheer, an MP from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party, complained that relatives and friends of Canadians did not have access to the internet, seeking a a response from Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly on the “situation” in Punjab.
“We are aware of the evolving situation in Punjab and we are following it very closely. We look forward to a return to a more stable situation and you could always count on the Government of Canada that we will continue to address the concerns of many members of the Community,” she stated.
However, the Indian authorities have dismissed the concerns, explaining that they are currently trying to nab radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh, the 31-year-old leader of ‘Warris Punjab De’ (inheritors of Punjab).
“Let me assure all the friends in the UK, especially brothers and sisters with relatives in Punjab, that there is no truth to sensationalist lies being circulated on social media,” High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom Vikram Doraiswami said in a video message to the diaspora, adding that the “situation in your ancestral homeland is not what it being reported to be.”
Amritpal has been declared a “fugitive” and remains on the run. As per a video released by Punjab Police on Friday, he was seen in Haryana state on March 19.