Indian Community in Toronto Waves Tricolour to Counter Pro-Khalistan Protest; UK Rally Remains Subdued.

Members of the Indian community in Toronto rallied outside the Indian consulate on July 8, waving the national flag to counter a pro-Khalistan protest. The demonstration came in response to posters circulating on social media announcing a pro-Khalistan rally on the same day, featuring Indian diplomats in Canada and London.

 

Despite the provocative nature of the planned gathering, the Indian community stood strong, firmly denouncing separatist elements.

Unlike the subdued pro-Khalistan protest outside the Indian High Commission in London, which took place on Saturday, the Toronto counter-demonstration garnered more attention. Khalistan sympathizers outside the London consulate, enduring rain, and unfavorable conditions, only managed a small turnout and a brief protest from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM GMT. It was in stark contrast to the larger demonstrations witnessed earlier this year in the same location.

 

The pro-Khalistan protest in Toronto and other cities, including Melbourne and San Francisco, aimed to condemn the killing of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia on June 18. Nijjar, who faced terrorism charges in India, became a rallying figure for those seeking an independent Khalistan.

 

In London, the protesters held banners blaming India's High Commissioner to the UK and its Consul General in Birmingham for Nijjar's death, as similar posters circulated on social media worldwide targeting Indian diplomats.

Notably, the London protest also featured posters expressing support for Pakistan and Kashmir, indicating the larger geopolitical dynamics at play during the demonstration. These sentiments further underscored the complexities surrounding the issue.

 

Meanwhile, India has urgently requested the British government to either deport or prosecute Khalistani elements residing in the UK. The safety of Indian diplomats has become a growing concern, with reports of them being targeted individually.

 

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval discussed this matter extensively with his British counterpart, Tim Barrow, during a recent meeting in New Delhi. Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in addressing violent extremism and radicalism, stressing that such actions have no place in a democracy.

 

An official source revealed, "The Indian side raised the issue of extremist elements in the UK threatening individual officers of the Indian High Commission and urged the UK Government to take strong public action against these elements, such as deportation or legal prosecution."

 

The events unfolding across Toronto, London, and other cities signify the ongoing tensions surrounding the Khalistan movement and its repercussions. As the Indian community stands united in support of their nation, international cooperation becomes imperative in addressing the challenges posed by violent extremism and safeguarding diplomatic personnel.

 

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