Sikh separatists stage Calgary protest against Indian prime minister’s visit to G7

The security forces closely monitored the G7 demonstrators in Calgary, after the traffic disturbances created by certain pro-Palestinian demonstrators prevented the firefighters from responding to several emergency calls.

Calgary police estimate that around 500 demonstrators of around 13 different groups gathered outside the Calgary town hall on Sunday.

Monday’s demonstrations, however, were much more moderate – but noisy.

The largest and strongest group was made up of around thirty Sikhs – supporters of Khalistan, an independent Sikh homeland in Punjab – who hoped to send a message to the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was invited to the G7 summit by Prime Minister Mark Carney.

The Modi government was accused by the RCMP of participating in a “serious criminal activity” in Canada which constituted a “serious threat” to public security – including homicides and violent acts against Sikhs separatists – as indicated in a statement published by the RCMP last fall.

The Indian government has refused to cooperate with a Investigation of the RCB on the suspected involvement of India in the murder in 2023 of Hardeep Singh Nijjarwho was a Canadian citizen and an eminent member of the Sikh separatist movement.

A survey on global news has also revealed that the RCMP had placed the federal NPD chief, Jagmeet Singh, under the protection of the police 18 months ago Due to a credible risk for his life of an agent of a foreign government.

While many in the Sikh community consider Carney’s invitation to Modi as a betrayal, Kuljeet Singh of Sikhs for the judge sees the appearance of Modi au G7 a little differently.

“We would like to thank Prime Minister Carney for having extended the invitation to Prime Minister Modi, because without this invitation, the Sikhs would not have the opportunity to challenge and confront Modi,” said Singh.

“We want the responsibility of Narendra Modi, we want the G7 nations to apply pressure for this killing list to be exposed and that the G7 nations work as a collaborative unit to sanction India and use international law and their diplomatic means to isolate India to force India to manifest itself and admit their crimes,” said Kuljeet Singh, who traveled to Calgary To attend the protest.

“We are here to send a message to the G7 countries which, within the framework of the government of Modi, were the escalation of transnational repression, the assassination of the Sikhs,” Bakhshish Sandhu, Sikh from Philadelphia to Calgary for the G7.

“We ask G7 countries to convince and press India to hold an official a binding referendum so that the inhabitants of Punjab can decide if they want to make punjab a separate country or stay in India, and they should have the same rights as the cities of the G7,” added Sandhu.

Many Sikhs demonstrators transported large yellow and blue flags – the unofficial flag of the state of the Khalistan. Others wore posters calling for Modi’s arrest. Another could be seen tearing an Indian flag.

Although there have been previous violent clashes between supporters and opponents of the Indian government in Canada, Calgary demonstrations have so far been peaceful.

“We are also grateful to the local police, the RCMP, which was great to work with it,” said Kuljeet Singh. “They helped us at each stage of the process. They know that we are peaceful. We never defend violence. “

However, security during Monday demonstrations was tight. The police closely keeping the demonstrators, the threat of violence never far from the minds of the officers.

“The majority of these demonstrations are legitimate, peaceful and safe and that is what we expected,” said the Surint. Joe Brar of the Calgary police service.

“However, this is a global event and the possibility of disturbances from people outside the city. We are ready for several scenarios. ”

Prime Minister Carney’s office defended the invitation to the Indian Prime Minister saying that “the G7 summit will focus on the most urgent challenges and opportunities for us today. As Prime Minister of the fifth greatest economy and the most populous country in the world, Prime Minister Modi was invited to participate in some of these critical discussions. “

Modi is expected to arrive in Calgary on Monday evening and with the video of the protest zones designated in Calgary being live on the Summit site in Kananaskis, the Sikhs demonstrators say that they will come back on Tuesday.

& Copy 2025 Global News, A Division of Corus Entertainment Inc.