Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Verma has recounted a harrowing encounter with Khalistani extremists during his recent visit to Alberta, Canada. In an interview, Verma revealed that he and his wife were confronted by a group of about 150 protesters while exiting a venue. Some individuals in the crowd were carrying swords, and one blade came alarmingly close—just two inches from his body—before the situation was defused by local police.
Verma stressed that the assailants were not holding ceremonial kirpans but weapons capable of causing serious harm. He also pointed out that despite the presence of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and local officers, the authorities seemed unprepared for the aggressive behavior. “They may not understand the difference between a sword and a kirpan, but as Indians, we know that distinction well,” Verma remarked, emphasizing that the attack was neither a religious act nor an isolated incident.
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The envoy confirmed that police took immediate action to contain the situation and conducted an interrogation afterward, although he was not briefed on the outcome. The incident, according to Verma, underscores the growing threat posed by extremist elements targeting Indo-Canadians and their places of worship in Canada. “Khalistani goons are creating an atmosphere of fear among peace-loving members of the Indian community,” he added.
This alarming episode has surfaced amidst heightened diplomatic tensions between India and Canada. Relations soured after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged last year that Indian agents were involved in the June 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani leader who had been declared a terrorist by India. Ottawa’s accusations were strongly denied by New Delhi, which described them as baseless and politically motivated.
In response to the escalating tensions, India expelled six Canadian diplomats, asserting that it would not tolerate the targeting of its diplomatic personnel abroad. Verma reiterated that his priority remains the normalization of relations between the two countries, despite the challenging circumstances.
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(By Ankita Singh)
(Input from the agencies)
