When asked about reports of cancelled Diwali celebrations at Canada’s Parliament Hill, Jaiswal told media persons, “We have seen some reports in this regard. Unfortunately, the prevailing atmosphere in Canada has reached high levels of intolerance and extremism.”
Earlier, Canadian opposition leader Pierre Poilievre had cancelled the Diwali celebrations, scheduled to take place at the Parliament Hill in Ottawa on October 30. He received major backlash from the Indian community over this decision that came amid the rising diplomatic tensions between the two nations after Canada alleged the involvement of Indian diplomats in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year.
The Diwali event, organised by the Overseas Friends of India Canada (OFIC), was scheduled for October 30. However, the organisers did not get any response on the cancellation of the event, according to reports.
The cancellation marked doing away with a 23-year tradition that saw celebrations by diverse communities like Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs under one umbrella, OFIC president Shiv Bhasker alleged in an open letter to Poilievre.
The MEA spokesperson also noted that the government was monitoring the well-being of the Indian students and professionals, who are present in Canada.
Commenting on the reduction in the number of visas by the Justin Trudeau-led government, Jaiswal said, “We are monitoring the well-being of our students and professionals who are working in Canada. Our concern for their safety and security remains strong.”
#WATCH | On the reports of a cancelled Diwali celebration at Canada’s Parliament Hill, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, “We have seen some reports in this regard. It is unfortunate that the prevailing atmosphere in Canada has reached high levels of intolerance and… pic.twitter.com/M6BfdamqXM
— ANI (@ANI) November 2, 2024
India protests surveillance of consular officials
Recently, a few of the consular officials were informed by the Canadian government that they are under continued audio and video surveillance, Jaiswal said, adding that their communications have also been intercepted.
“We have formally protested to the Canadian government as we deem these actions to be a flagrant violation of relevant diplomatic and consular conventions. By citing technicalities, the Canadian Government cannot justify the fact that it is indulging in harassment and intimidation,” he said.
Jaiswal noted that the diplomatic and consular personnel of India were functioning in an environment of ‘extremism and violence,’ adding that Canada’s action further aggravates the situation. “It is incompatible with established diplomatic norms and practices”, he said.
#WATCH | MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, “Some of our Consular officials were recently informed by the Canadian Government that they have been and continue to be under audio and video surveillance. Their communications have also been intercepted. We have formally protested… pic.twitter.com/R6Gi90rJB9
— ANI (@ANI) November 2, 2024
‘Absurd and baseless references’
India has protested over the references made by a Canadian minister about Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The MEA stated that such ‘absurd and baseless’ allegations will have serious consequences for bilateral ties between India and Canada.
“Regarding the latest Canadian target, we summoned the representative of the Canadian High Commission yesterday… It was conveyed in the note that the Government of India protests in the strongest terms to the absurd and baseless references made to the Union Home Minister of India before the Committee by Deputy Minister David Morrison,” Jaiswal said.
He further highlighted that the revelation that high Canadian officials “deliberately leak unfounded insinuations to the international media as part of a conscious strategy to discredit India and influence other nations only confirms the view that the government of India has long held about the current Canadian government’s political agenda and behavioural pattern.”
The MEA spokesperson said that such irresponsible actions will have serious consequences for bilateral ties.
As per reports, this came after Canada’s Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison earlier alleged that Amit Shah ordered a campaign of violence and intimidation to target Sikh separatists in Canada.
