India's External Affairs Minister Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Thursday, in a strongly worded remark, pointed out that Canada is giving space to separatists.
"Frankly, we are at a loss to understand other than the requirements of vote bank politics why anybody would do this...I think there is a larger underlying issue about the space which is given to separatists, to extremists, to people who advocate violence", Jaishankar said while addressing the media.
Jaishankar's response came after Indira Gandhi's statue video went viral on social media.
According to reports, the action was allegedly organized by Khalistan supporters days before the upcoming 39th anniversary of Operation Blue Star on 6 June.
Gandhi was assassinated by her two Sikh bodyguards on 31 October 1984.
Her killing was viewed as retaliation for her decision to order security forces to storm the Golden Temple – one of the most significant shrines for Sikhs – after militant leader Jarnail Bhindranwale took refuge in the Gurdwara's complex in 1984.
Meanwhile, Canadian High Commissioner to India Cameron MacKay criticized the tableau, saying he was appalled by the event. "There is no place in Canada for hate or for the glorification of violence," he tweeted. "I categorically condemn these activities".
On Wednesday, India's High Commission in Ottawa sent a formal note to Global Affairs Canada (GAC) expressing its displeasure to the Canadian government over the incident.
The Indian National Congress (INC) also raised the matter and criticized the tableau.