At least 80 pro-Khalistan protesters raised derogatory slogans when Indian High Commissioner to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma attended an occasion organised by the Indo-Canadian Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) in Edmonton on March 11.

The occasion had earlier gained prominence after Sikh separatist chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun known as for the Khalistan sympathisers to “challenge, target and question” the Indian envoy over the alleged Indian involvement within the murder of Sikh preacher Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023.

The March 11 occasion noticed a number of protesters shouting slogans concentrating on the Indian envoy and the Indian state whereas a protester was seen defiling the Indian Tricolour.

“Pro-Khalistan elements tried to disrupt the event, but did not succeed,” Mr. Verma instructed The Hindu after the occasion. 

Earlier, Mr. Pannun’s community of sympathisers had unfold a poster opposing the March 11 occasion. The poster marketing campaign that restarted after a lull of few weeks as soon as once more revived the recollections of the bitter moments of 2023 when sustained marketing campaign by the Khalistani components in Canada – that known as for violent assaults in opposition to Indian diplomats – had prompted India to close down the consular companies within the Indian High Commission in Ottawa briefly as India had feared for the security of the Indian envoy. 

It was learnt that in response to the poster marketing campaign, Canadian authorities had stationed legislation enforcement officers on the venue who secured the route for the Indian High Commissioner and his partner.

‘Event a success’

The occasion was a hit, mentioned organiser Ravi Prakash Singh, Chair of Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (Alberta).

“This is one of the most successful events of ICCC and we had really good attendance from all big business leaders, dignitaries and political figures of Edmonton. Our role as ICCC is to bring the business community together and I personally tried to explain it to my friends who were protesting outside for the past five to six days that our event is non-political, non-religious, and we talk purely about business and trade between India and Canada,” mentioned Mr. Singh, whereas talking to The Hindu from Canada. 

Earlier, Mr. Verma met with commerce representatives in Surrey the place the protesters tried to disrupt the assembly.

India had restarted the e-visa services for Canadian residents after the short-term pause of final yr and the Khalistan subject has emerged as a significant subject between the 2 sides.