Chants of “kill Modi” rang out in downtown Calgary as Khalistan separatist activists gathered to protest Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Canada for the G7 summit.
The demonstration has sparked alarm over the violent rhetoric directed at a democratically elected foreign leader on Canadian soil by proponents of a movement that has a history of politically motivated terrorist attacks and assassinations.
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s decision to attempt to mend Canada-India relations by inviting Indian President Narendra Modi to the G7 has spurred protests from Canada’s Khalistan separatists in various locations.
Around 50 Khalistan protesters descended on Calgary in a convoy to protest Modi and to advocate for a referendum to allow a new Sikh-majority country to be carved out of India.
Juno News’ Keean Bexte was on the scene as activists descended on Calgary City Hall where protesters could be heard chanting “kill Modi,” followed by “politics.” Khalistan supporters protested Modi’s arrival, promoting the event with signs featuring crosshairs over the face of the democratically elected leader of India, who was invited as a guest to Canada.
Other chants included “Boycott Air India.” According to Mocha Bezirgan, an independent journalist, others chanted “Parmar’s ideology is ours to guide,” a reference to a Sikh activist accused of taking part in the Montreal Air India bombings in 1985.
Sikhs For Justice, the group that organized the “peaceful demonstration,” told True North the planned 48-hour rally was called “Ambush Modi Politics.”
The RCMP did not respond to True North’s requests for comment.
The organizers, Sikhs for Justice, are a group banned in India.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, listed as a terrorist by the Indian government and general counsel for the SFJ, told True North that the protest would remain “peaceful” but called for “accountability” for the alleged assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
India-Canada relations have been strained since former prime minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of assassinating Nijjar, too.
The Indian government did not respond to True North’s requests for comment.