Canadian Sikh protests outside Indian mission off to a muted start
Sikh group gathered outside the Indian diplomatic mission in Toronto on Monday, a week after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raised the prospect of New Delhi's involvement in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia.
The protests, which are also planned in Ottawa and Vancouver, are aimed at increasing public awareness about India's alleged role in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead outside a Sikh temple on June 18 in Surrey, a Vancouver suburb with a high Sikh population, one organizer told Reuters.
Between 100 and 150 members were expected to join the protests, Jatinder Singh Grewal, a director of the group Sikh for Justice in Canada, said, but only a dozen people had gathered in front of the Indian consulate in Toronto around noon when the demonstration was set to begin.
Protesters began chanting «Khalistan live forever» in the Punjabi language.
Trudeau said last week Canada was pursuing «credible allegations» that Indian government agents may have been involved in Nijjar's murder.
India swiftly denied any role in the killing and described the allegations as «absurd». The accusations have sparked tit-for-tat retaliation from both countries, with each nation expelling diplomats and New Delhi suspending visas for Canadians.
«We are asking Canada to expel the India ambassador, Grewal told Reuters on Sunday.
The Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, said concerned authorities have been informed of the protests.
»Ensuring security of diplomatic premises and personnel is responsibility of the host country.
