Hindu Forum Canada (HFC) addressed a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, raising significant concerns about recent events that had affected the Indo-Canadian community. The letter emphasized issues related to COVID-19, the Indian Farmer’s Protest, and the broader implications for Canada-India relations.
COVID-19 and Vaccine Distribution
Hindu Forum Canada (HFC) highlighted a critical gap in Canada’s approach to global vaccine distribution amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite India’s leading role in vaccine development and its substantial contribution to global health efforts—having supplied vaccines to 15 countries and pledged assistance to 25 more—Canada has yet to seek support from India. This oversight is particularly concerning given the challenges Canada has faced in vaccine procurement and distribution. We find it perplexing that the Canadian government has not engaged with India for assistance, especially when India has demonstrated its capacity to support global vaccination efforts effectively.
Indian Farmer’s Protest and Misrepresentation
We raised serious concerns about the misrepresentation and violent escalation of the Indian Farmer’s Protest. The Farmer’s Reform Act, which enjoys the backing of 93% of the Indian Farmers’ Union and several international bodies, is aimed at modernizing India’s agricultural sector. However, misinformation has led to violent outbreaks, including the January 26 storming of the Red Fort in Delhi. This incident saw the desecration of the Indian flag and its replacement with the Khalistani flag, underscoring the violent shift of what began as a peaceful protest.
Anti-social elements, including banned organizations like Babbar Khalsa, which operate under various aliases, have co-opted the protests. These groups have engaged in spreading misinformation through international celebrities, a situation exacerbated by a leaked toolkit shared by Greta Thunberg. The escalation led to numerous injuries among police officers and a tragic death, highlighting the dangerous influence of these extremist elements.
Khalistani Extremism in Canada
We expressed alarm over the activities of Khalistani extremists operating within Canada. The Poetic Justice Foundation (PJF), led by Mo Dhaliwal and Anita Lal, has been identified as a key player in promoting separatist agendas and inciting violence. The organization’s research indicates that Indo-Canadians supporting the Farmer’s Reform Act have faced intimidation and threats from these activists. HFC underscores the need for immediate government action to address these disruptive elements and curb their influence within Canada.
Canada-India Relations
With over 1.37 million Indo-Canadians contributing significantly to Canada’s multicultural landscape, the community remains deeply committed to fostering positive ties between Canada and India. The organization notes that the Canadian government’s silence on issues related to India and the Farmer’s Protest has been noticed and may influence the Indo-Canadian community’s political decisions in the future. HFC calls for a renewed focus on strengthening these bilateral relations and addressing the concerns raised by the community.
We call on Prime Minister Trudeau to take a firm stance against Khalistani extremists and to shut down groups like the Poetic Justice Foundation. The organization emphasizes that Canada’s reputation as a liberal and respectful society must be upheld by addressing and mitigating the impact of these extremist elements. HFC urges the Canadian government to take decisive action to prevent further escalation and maintain the values of justice and respect that define Canadian society.
