INDIA
After a recent parade in Canada, the Congress party has alleged that the country has glorified the assassination of former prime minister Indira Gandhi.
The Congress on Thursday condemned the "glorification" of the assassination of former prime minister Indira Gandhi at a parade in Canada and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi why he hasn't spoken to his Canadian counterpart on the issue.
The Congress also urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to take up strongly with Canadian authorities the inclusion of a float depicting the former prime minister's assassination in a parade in Brampton.
Asked about the incident at a press conference here, Jaishankar hit out at Canada, saying there was a larger underlying issue about the space which is given to separatists, extremists and people who advocate violence.
While Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate and general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal hit out at Jaishankar for making a "general comment" on the issue, their party colleague Milind Deora welcomed the minister's "condemnation of the Canadian tableau that celebrated the assassination of Indira Gandhi".
Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala said it is "reprehensible and condemnable" that Prime Minister Modi is silent on the issue and asked whether he is viewing everything with a political motive.
"The assassination of a former prime minister is celebrated and the prime minister of India does not say a single word... Why is the Government of India silent," he asked. Perhaps, this is the reason why secessionists are raising their head in Punjab once again, he said.
"Why does the prime minister not talk to his counterpart in Canada? ... Why has the Canadian ambassador in India not been summoned and a strong protest lodged," the Congress general secretary asked. Surjewala said every country should be told that no anti-India campaign will be allowed.
"Will the country's prime minister see everything with political motives," he asked.
This is not a partisan issue that the prime minister and his government have chosen to keep quiet. Such incidents have greater ramifications for the peace in Punjab and the rest of the country, he said. The External Affairs minister should summon the Canadian envoy and lodge a strong protest over the incident, he added.
Surjewala condemned the pro-Khalistan parade in Canada and the "glorification" of Gandhi's assassination.
Gandhi, former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh and thousands of Congress workers laid down their lives to defend the unity and integrity of the country, he said.
Speaking at the press conference, Jaishankar warned Canada against giving space to separatists and extremist elements, saying it was not good for bilateral ties. "Frankly, we are at a loss to understand other than the requirements of vote bank politics, why anybody would do this.
"Because if you look at their history, you would imagine that they learn from history and they would not like to repeat that history. It is not only one incident, however, egregious it may be," Jaishankar said.
"I think there is a larger underlying issue about the space which is given to separatists, to extremists, to people who advocate violence and I think it is not good for relationships and not good for Canada," he added.
Earlier, Canadian High Commissioner to India Cameron Mackay said he was "appalled" by the reports of the event in his country that "celebrated" the assassination of Gandhi. "There is no place in Canada for hate or for the glorification of violence. I categorically condemn these activities," he said in a tweet.
Deora shared on Twitter a purported video, which is doing the rounds on social media, of the float at the Brampton parade depicting Gandhi's assassination.
"As an Indian, I'm appalled by the 5-km-long parade which took place in the city of Brampton, Canada, depicting the assassination of Indira Gandhi," the former Union minister said. "It's not about taking sides, it's about respect for a nation's history and the pain caused by its Prime Minister's assassination," Deora said.
This extremism deserves universal condemnation and a united response, he asserted.
Sharing Deora's tweet, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "I entirely agree! This is despicable and Dr S Jaishankar should take it up strongly with the Canadian authorities."
Responding to Deora's tweet, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said, "You are completely right... There should be no politics in condemning this despicable act across party lines."
In a tweet later, Deora welcomed "Jaishankar ji's condemnation of the Canadian tableau that celebrated the assassination of Indira Gandhi". "In moments when we rise above petty politics and unite as a nation, India wins. It's crucial to foster a climate which safeguards the dignity of our nation & its leaders," he said.
Congress spokesperson Shrinate, however, expressed dissatisfaction over the government's response. "An Indian prime minister was assassinated by separatist forces. Her assassination is glorified by pro-Khalistan extremists in Canada.
"And all that our government has done is make this one general comment -- without even naming Smt Indira Gandhi. Our national interests and security must be above any political concerns. India must take this up officially with the Canadian government," she said.
Senior Congress leader Venugopal asked why Jaishankar did not unequivocally condemn the "disgusting event of Brampton". "Smt. Indira Gandhi ji was one of the tallest leaders in Indian history, who laid down her life to protect India's sovereignty," he said.
"In his briefing today, S. Jaishankar gave a general statement, instead of specifically acknowledging Indira ji's martyrdom. Why did he prevaricate, and not unequivocally condemn the event?
"We demand a strong response from the Prime Minister himself, and the EAM and the Indian High Commission in Canada must take firm steps to convey the anger of 140 crore Indians," he said. Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984.
Delhi-NCR's air quality turns 'very poor', situation likely to worsen till...
This college offers placements worth Rs 6500000 to graduates, is listed among top...
Vistara's Delhi-London flight diverted to Frankfurt after bomb threat
Mohammad Rizwan set to replace Babar Azam as Pakistan's ODI and T20I captain
Viral video: Little girl's adorable dance to 'Aayi Nai' impresses internet, watch
Gujarat: Vadodara man performs CPR to save snake's life, netizens say, 'Barodians can do anything'
Mukesh Ambani's brand forces Tata Group company to reduce its product price, revenue hit by...
DNA TV Show: Mumbai Police receives threat message seeking Rs 5 crore from Salman Khan
Shraddha Kapoor breaks silence over credit battle for Stree 2's success: 'I believe it was...'
Who is IAS Sanjeev Hans, arrested by ED in money laundering case?
Gautam Adani donates Rs 1000000000 to THIS Indian state for...
Mukesh Ambani's Jio Financial Services' profit rises by 3%, company earns Rs 6890000000 in...
Virat Kohli completes 9000 Test runs - Is he the fastest Indian to achieve this feat?
Karwa Chauth 2024: Check muhurat, moonrise timing in Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Patna other cities here
Salman Khan to import bulletproof SUV from Dubai after threats from gangster Lawrence Bishnoi
Apple's HR head resigns in less than 2 years marking another high-level departure under Tim Cook
60 guards and no one can leave the sets before it is over: How Salman Khan shoots for Bigg Boss 18
Karan Johar, Akshay Kumar join hands for a film inspired by…
Suresh Mansharmani - The Father of OKR is transforming SMEs of India
Meet world's 10 most beautiful women, including an Indian, not Aishwarya Rai, Alia Bhatt
Apple iPhone 16 under Rs 70000? THIS company is offering flat Rs 10000 discount, check details
Meet Bollywood actress who graduated from Harvard, wrote children’s books, did nude scenes in…
IND vs NZ, 1st Test: Virat Kohli falls on final ball of Day 3, India trail New Zealand by 125 runs
Pro Kabaddi League 2024 Live Streaming: When and where to watch PKL season 11 live on TV and online
Karwa Chauth 2024 Sargi timing: What you must include in your sargi thali?
SAT stays Rs 250000000 Sebi fine on Anil Ambani with one condition, asks him to...
Man was crossing railway track with phone glued to his face, watch video to know what happened next
Pioneering Business Intelligence at Cisco: The Visionary Leadership of Sagar Shukla
AAP leader Satyendar Jain walks out of jail, says, 'We will continue...'
Driving Innovation: Aravind Reddy Nayani's breakthrough in electric vehicle technology
From legacy systems to advanced analytics: The evolution of Devidas Kanchetti
Who is IPS Bhagyashree Navtake, Maharashtra cadre officer booked by CBI in Rs 1200 crore scam probe?
Meet IIT-JEE topper with 339 marks in JEE Advanced, went to IIT Bombay with AIR 1, now working as...
Virat Kohli's decision to not celebrate Rachin Ravindra's wicket sparks debate, know what happened
Watch: Radhika Merchant stuns in Rohit Bal lehenga at friend's wedding, dances to 'Sajna Ve Sajna'
PAK vs ENG: Pakistan beat England by 152 runs, register 1st Test win at home after 1348 days
Excel in finance and SAP integration-mastering an extraordinary journey of Dignesh Khatri
Revolutionizing Ad Technology: Arth Dave’s Leadership in Machine Learning-Driven Ad Recommendations
Redefining In-Store Shopping Experience: Krishnateja Shiva's impact on retail innovation
Vijay Bhaskar Kamireddy: Revolutionising machine learning with innovation and expertise
PM Modi to visit Russia next week to attend BRICS Summit in Kazan
Good news for Indian travellers as THIS country is now offering visa-on-arrival, check details
IPL 2025: 3 reasons why RCB might go in bidding war for New Zealand batter Rachin Ravindra
Key skills for successful web development career
6 important things to keep in mind before taking loan
Good news for Sadhguru as SC dismisses plea against Isha Foundation
Mukesh Ambani’s dream comes true as Reliance Jio beats Airtel, BSNL in...
Kunal Kamra reignites debate with Bhavish Aggarwal, says, 'Ola Electric hasn’t...'
IPL 2025: All teams possible retention list ahead of mega auction, CSK, RCB, MI will retain…
Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar dead: List of top figures who may replace him
Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos have new 'job', they now work for...
Ex-India captain's clip goes viral amid India's batting disaster, fan says, 'he is trolling BCCI'
Meet people who will execute Ratan Tata's will, not Noel Tata, Jimmy Tata, they are...
US charges former RAW official for plotting to kill Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun
Byju's Raveendran finally BREAKS SILENCE on his rumoured move to Dubai amid legal tussle
What are Nita Ambani's lavish daily habits and how much does she spend in a day?
A company accidentally hired a North Korean cyber criminal and then…
Karisma Kapoor reveals this actress on Hum Saath Saath Hain set would sit alone, eat only…