Canada: Mayor attends pro-Khalistan event for Deep Sidhu; India objects

A fresh diplomatic face-off seems to be brewing between India and Canada following an event which reportedly featured anti-India slogans and Khalistani flags.

The event was a vigil held outside Brampton City Hall for actor-turned-activist Deep Sidhu who recently died in a car accident in India. What raised eyebrows in India was the participation of Brampton's elected mayor in the event.

Mayor Patrick Brown attended the vigil and also spoke highly of Deep Sidhu, who supported the recent year-long protest in Delhi against 3 farm laws. He was also accompanied by City Councillor Harkirat Singh. Brown said, "His (Deep Sidhu) struggle, his courage, his voice will live long beyond his days on this Earth. When I say words are immortal... This individual who made such an incredible impact, as a lawyer, as an actor, and standing shoulder-to-shoulder during the struggle, the farmers' protest."

ALSO WATCH | Kangana mocks Canada PM Justin Trudeau over vaccine rule protest by truckers

Sidhu came under the spotlight after a tractor rally by the farm protestors on Republic Day 2021 turned violent. Sidhu had been arrested in connection with violence at Delhi's Red Fort.

India formally raised its "concerns" with Canada by contacting the latter's foreign ministry, and the provincial Ontario government, as per reports. The Indian High Commission in Ottawa issued a demarche, or diplomatic representation, over the event.

The event led to outrage among other members of the Indian diaspora. The National Alliance of Indo-Canadians called the event, and Mayor Brown's participation, unacceptable.