Canada: Brampton Mayor heckled, asked to remove banners placed by pro-Khalistanis

The mayor was asked by the diaspora to remove hateful banners against Hindus from all over the city that read “Sikh Infants burnt alive by Hindu Mobs,” TAG TV reported as quoted by ANI.

Mayor Patrick Brown, when asked if he would remove those banners by Khalistanis, was quoted as saying by ANI, “We love everyone.”

The Mayor was reportedly heckled in front of four federal parliamentarians.

Liberal MP Chandra Arya urged the agitators to cool down.

“We do have strong differences but Mr Brown is our guest in the temple," he was quoted as saying by ANI.

Meanwhile, the Indian government on Thursday said its Canadian counterpart has conveyed to them that it will not recognise the objectionable ‘Khalistan’ referendum organised by the proscribed organisation Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) in Ontario on November 6.

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi was quoted as saying by ANI: "Government of Canada has conveyed that they respect the sovereignty of India and will not recognise the (‘Khalistan’) referendum… deeply objectionable that politically motivated exercises by extremist elements are allowed to take place in a friendly country."

“Our position on the anti-India elements to hold the so-called ‘Khalistan’ referendum is well-known. The Canadian High Commissioner here and the Deputy Foreign Minister reiterated this perspective earlier this week in separate statements. You all are aware of the history of violence in this regard,” Bagchi added.

India will continue to press the government of Canada on this matter and call upon them (the Canadian government) to prevent anti-India activities on individuals and groups based in Canada, Bagchi said.

The Indian government recently served a demarche to the Canadian government and asked it to stop the so-called ‘Khalistan’ referendum organised by the proscribed organisation in Ontario on Nov 6.