Chandigarh: Former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's assassination by Sikh bodyguards was showcased as a tableau with Khalistan flags saying "revenge", in connection with a 5 km long parade by Indian Diaspora in Canada's Brampton, a Punjabi-dominated area, on June 4.
People in Punjab were dismayed over the development and have been questioning whether this would help Canada's Indo-Pacific strategy, and also demanded that India summon the Canadian High Commissioner to strongly object to the inclusion of the tableau.
Intelligence agencies believe that it seemed to be linked with the 39th anniversary of the Indian Army's 'Operation Bluestar' in Amritsar which was carried out between June 1 and 8, 1984, claiming several lives and leaving the Golden Temple and its complex in Amritsar damaged.
'Operation Bluestar' was a military action ordered by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to flush out militants led by Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale, holed up in the Golden Temple complex.
India had already summoned the Canadian High Commissioner to convey "its strong concerns about the actions by pro-Khalistani extremist elements against Indian diplomatic missions in Canada in recent times."
Meanwhile, the High Commissioner for Canada in India, Cameron MacKay on Thursday said he was appalled by reports of the event that celebrated the assassination of the late Indian Prime Minister.
"There is no place in Canada for hate or for the glorification of violence. I categorically condemn these activities," he said in a tweet.
IANS Input