Not good for relationships’: Jaishankar to Canada over Indira Gandhi’s killing celebration

India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, criticized Canada after a video circulated on social media allegedly showing a parade float in Canada’s Brampton, organized by Khalistani supporters, showcasing the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday hit out at Canada after a video circulated on social media showing a parade float in Canada’s Brampton, allegedly organized by Khalistani supporters, showcasing the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in the country.

He said that its not good for relationships, and for Canada too, while also believing that there is a bigger issue involved in it, according to a report published by the news agency ANI.

I think there is a bigger issue involved…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. I think it is not good for relationships, not good for Canada,” the minister said.

The float was part of a 5-kilometer-long procession. The video in question is believed to be from a parade held in Brampton by supporters of Khalistan on June 4, which coincided with the upcoming 39th anniversary of Operation Blue Star on June 6.

The video received a strong backlash on social media, with people expressing their condemnation of the parade organized by Khalistan supporters.

The operation aimed to address concerns of weapon stockpiling within the temple premises. However, it faced significant criticism. Several months later, on October 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated at her residence in New Delhi by two of her Sikh bodyguards.

On June 6, 1984, the Indian Army, acting upon the orders of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, launched Operation Blue Star to confront Sikh militancy led by Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in Punjab’s Golden Temple.

The operation aimed to address concerns of weapon stockpiling within the temple premises. However, it faced significant criticism. Several months later, on October 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated at her residence in New Delhi by two of her Sikh bodyguards.