Canada: Caged effigies of PM Modi, Shah at Khalistan supporters' anti-Hindu rally

Khalistani sympathisers took out a parade in Toronto demanding the deportation of some 8,00,000 Hindus to India. A large truck with a cage having effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders was also a part of the parade.

Also read: Pro-Khalistan party's poll defeat in Canada big relief for India

With Khalistanis waving their flags and shouting slogans at Canada’s Malton gurdwara, the event drew widespread flak for its blatant anti-Hindu stance. The mock-up jail also had effigies of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

Anti-Hindu hatred

“This isn't a protest against India's government. It's blatant anti-Hindu hatred from a Khalistani terrorist group, notorious for Canada's deadliest attack,” Hindu community leader Shawn Binda posted on X.

The reference was to the 1985 bombing of an Air India flight en route from Montreal to Bombay (now Mumbai) when it exploded over the sea near Ireland killing all 329 people on board.

Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman also shared a video of the anti-Hindu parade, and wondered if the new government of Mark Carney will be any different from Justin Trudeau's vis-à-vis the Khalistanis.

Challenge for Carney

"The jihadis rampaging through our streets have done significant damage to the social fabric running around, threatening any Jews they can find. But the Khalistanis are giving them a good run for their money on most hateful foreign-funded menace to society,” he tweeted. “Will Carney’s Canada be any different from Trudeau's?" Bordman asked.

Calling it a “shameful day”, the Coalition of Hindus of North America said: “The world has seen this template before and needs to be alarmed. Will city, provincial and national institutions take note? Will human rights groups or the media cover it?”

Baisakhi parade

The parade took place days after Carney led the Liberal Party to a stunning win in national elections. Khalistan flags and anti-India visuals were also seen at the annual Khalsa Day Baisakhi Parade in Surrey last month. That event also drew criticism after visuals showed “wanted” posters featuring PM Modi and Amit Shah.

Also read: As Mark Carney leads Liberals to victory, what it means for India-Canada ties

Vandalism of temples

The latest event comes on the back of incidents of the vandalism of a Sikh gurdwara and a Hindu temple with pro-Khalistan graffiti in Canada, which is home to a large number of Sikhs.

While the Khalistan movement for a separate Sikh state lies buried in India, its supporters keep fanning the flames in select Western countries, including Canada.