India-Canada ties will improve as Carney invited PM Modi to G7 Summit: Canadian journalist
Despite ongoing tension between the two countries on the issue of extremism, Bezirgan said he expects warmer ties henceforth as Carney has invited Prime Minister Modi for the G7 Summit.
'Well, I feel it [the relations between both the countries] will improve. I mean, it's a big step that Prime Minister Carney invited Prime Minister Modi to Canada to G7. And we'll see how that goes, because there's lots of pressure building on Prime Minister Carney right now from Khalistani elements, from World Sikh Organization, that he should cancel the invitation,' he said in a conversation over phone with ANI.
Bezirgan said that this is an interesting time because the dates of G7 almost coincide with Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing, the Golden Temple incident, and Air India bombings.
'It's a big step that PM Carney invited PM Modi to Canada to attend G7 Summit and we'll see how that goes because there's lots of pressure building on PM Carney right now from Khalistani elements and from World Sikh Organization that he should cancel the invitation. Even if he doesn't cancel the invitation, we will see how the meeting actually goes. We need to wait and see, but one thing is certain, Khalistani elements will be protesting and it's going to be a very interesting time in Alberta where the G7 is taking place...This is going to be where the whole world will focus because the date of the G7 Summit coincides with Hardeep Singh Nijjar's assassination date by one day. I don't think there has ever been a time this risky...'
The Canadian journalist alleged that Khalistani extremist movement is headed by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). 'They are the ones organising it, and most of the time, it's the same people attending these protests, whether it be in Ontario, British Columbia, US, UK, New Zealand. They mobilise people to come from local Gurudwaras to create a little bit of crowd, but there are bigger political organizations like the World Sikh Organization which is based in Canada and they are they have a troubled history and they do the political cover in Canada. Because of the tensions between Canada and India, it's a very highly political subject, but I feel like we are disregarding what's happening underground.'
'What these people are saying, how they are exercising their free speech while they are celebrating the assassins of Indira Gandhi and saying that they are going to ambush and kill Indian Prime Minister Modi's politics at the G7. I asked them are you going to kill his politics the same way you killed Indira Gandhi's politics? Because they refer to the assassins as their forefathers. They say we are the descendants of the killers of Indira Gandhi, and they are glorifying these acts of violence...'Bezirgan said.
Earlier today the Canadian journalist alleged he was assaulted by a group of Khalistani supporters at a rally in Vancouver.
Detailing the incident, Bezirgan said, '...One individual came up to me and started asking me questions. He was very close to my face... Then, all of a sudden, I had 2-3 people surrounding me with the same physical closeness, like I had nowhere to go. I was recording secretly from my main camera because I felt that something physical was about to happen. I started recording from my phone as well. As soon as I started recording, they turned their faces away, but this one individual kept walking towards me, and then eventually he grabbed my phone out of my hand for a moment. It stopped my recording, and when I turned back on, the police were engaging with him and telling him to stop his harassing behaviour...I have filed police reports about this specific individual before for his harassment, and him being allowed to walk free is a big disappointment. I think he should be deported back to the UK...I have more footage I'm about to upload on my channel. He continued following me throughout the parade...He followed me to the train station, and that's how I departed from the area...'
'It just happened two hours ago and I am still shaking. I was surrounded by multiple Khalistanis who acted like thugs. They surrounded me, threatened me, and got physical with me, and they grabbed my phone out of my hand,' he said.
'This was done by an individual who has been harassing me for a long time online using dehumanising language against me. I have been covering Khalistan protests in Canada, UK, US, New Zealand...My only goal is to do independent journalism and record and report what's going on and because I'm editorially independent, this frustrates some people. They want to influence me, they want to buy me. He is not even a Canadian citizen. He is from the UK. I was just there reporting on the event. Khalistanis gathered to honour their so-called martyrs, including the assassins of Indira Gandhi...' the Canadian journalist said.
However, Bezirgan said despite what has happened with him, he is optimistic about the security that will be in place for G7 Summit.
'I feel that Canadian police institutions will take this event very seriously because after all, it's about Canada's reputation,' he said.
Bezirgan said that it is not just about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but leaders from all over the world. He added that all police forces are mobilized for the events and trainings are on.
'And we already have the military there at the events. We have military helicopters flying all over the place. It's a major mobilization of police resources. And this is not just about Modi, but we have many world leaders attending this event. So I feel like security will be top notch. Calgary police have been organizing convoy training for their officers throughout the weeks, local police are prepared. Lots of training going on. I feel that they will not let anyone get harmed,' he said.
Bezirgan said that he hoped that the government upholds the law.
'Unfortunately, I guess I am too small for Carney government to care. And that's just the way it goes. You know, if I was maybe a mainstream media reporter, then many organizations could rally to my support and politicians may condemn the actions of this individual. But because I am independent, I am not controlled. I have my own editorial independence. Then, you know, they don't want to rally behind someone who also exposes liberal corruption, exposes conservative corruption. It's, I guess I'm too unpredictable. I guess I'm a wild card. But I don't expect any special treatment, I just expect the law to be upheld,' he said.
Earlier in the day he had posted on his social media platform X on how he was physically assaulted and threatened by a group of Khalistani supporters at the Vancouver rally.
https://x.com/BezirganMocha/status/1931540163060203741
'I've been surrounded by a group of Khalistanis who grabbed my phone out of my hand and threatened me. Naturally I'm a bit shaken, but not deterred. Footage coming,' he said in a post on X. (ANI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Calgary Herald
6 minutes ago
- Calgary Herald
'Alberta came through': Permit approved for pro-Trump Christian singer' Edmonton show
A pro-Trump and Christian musician whose prior Canadian events have drawn cancellations and protests says his permit to perform at the Alberta legislature grounds in Edmonton next week has been approved by the provincial government. Article content American singer and songwriter Sean Feucht, 41, describes himself as a musician, missionary, author and activist. Article content Article content Six of his events in eastern Canada earlier this summer were cancelled and rescheduled for alternate venues after local authorities pulled permits, citing concerns over crowd size and protesters. Article content Article content He is scheduled to return to Canada next week, including a stop at the bandshell on the legislature grounds in Edmonton on Aug. 22. Article content Article content On Monday night, Feucht posted a video to social media stating that Alberta Infrastructure had approved the permits needed for the performance to go ahead. Article content 'We got the permit after six cancelled cities,' he said. 'Alberta came through. We're coming to Edmonton.' Article content Feucht has threatened lawsuits in response to the cancellations, arguing his Charter rights to practise religion and freedom of speech were being infringed on. Article content Critics have cited Feucht's views on the LGBTQ+ community, which he has called 'a cult bent on perverting and destroying the innocence of every child they can,' as well as on abortion laws, which he said 'feverishly promote the slaughter of the unborn and the newborn.' Article content Feucht ran unsuccessfully as a Republican candidate for Congress in 2020. Article content Article content Article content It previously has said Feucht had submitted an incomplete application and that it was helping his organizers properly complete the required paperwork. Article content The department added that ongoing security assessments are done for all scheduled events held at the legislature grounds. Article content The guidelines for use of the legislature grounds state applications must be submitted four weeks in advance, with applicants mandated to have at least $2 million in liability insurance, a security plan, and proof of permits and licences, among other requirements. Article content Feucht's scheduled events in Halifax, Charlottetown, Moncton, Quebec City, Vaughn, Ont., and Montreal were cancelled and moved to an alternate venue after permits for the public venues were revoked due to safety concerns or local codes of conduct.
Global News
36 minutes ago
- Global News
China adds ‘additional pressure' with new tariffs on Canadian canola
China on Tuesday announced preliminary anti-dumping duties on Canadian canola imports, a fresh escalation in the year-long trade dispute that began with Ottawa's imposition of tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports last August. The provisional rate will be set at 75.8 per cent, effective from Thursday, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement. ICE November canola futures fell four per cent to a three-month low after the announcement. China, the world's largest importer of canola – also known as rapeseed – sources nearly all of its supplies of the product from Canada. The steep duties would likely all but end imports if they are maintained. 'This is huge. Who will pay a 75 per cent deposit to bring Canadian canola to China? It is like telling Canada that we don't need your canola, thank you very much,' said one Singapore-based oilseed trader. Story continues below advertisement China's Ministry of Commerce said on Tuesday an anti-dumping probe launched in September 2024 had found Canada's agricultural sector and particularly the canola industry had benefited from 'substantial' government subsidies and preferential policies. 1:49 Alberta farmers brace for China's 100% tariff on Canola oil and meals China has until September, when the investigation formally ends, to make a final decision on the duties, though it has the option of extending that deadline by six months. A final ruling could result in a different rate, or overturn Tuesday's decision. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The decision marks a shift from the conciliatory tone struck in June when China's Premier Li Qiang said there were no deep-seated conflicts of interest between the countries during a phone call with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. 'This move… will put additional pressure on Canada's government to sort through trade frictions with China,' said Trivium China agriculture analyst Even Rogers Pay. Story continues below advertisement The Canadian embassy in Beijing did not respond to a request for comment. Separately, China also launched an anti-dumping investigation into Canadian pea starch and imposed provisional duties on imports of halogenated butyl rubber, according to ministry statements. Replacing millions of tons of Canadian canola is likely to be difficult at short notice, say analysts. China primarily uses imported canola to make animal feed for its aquaculture sector. A separate duty on Canadian canola meal imports in March has already put these supplies at risk. The move provides an opportunity for Australia, which looks set to regain access to the Chinese market with a few test cargoes this year after a years-long freeze in the trade, Pay said. Australia, the second-largest canola exporter, has been shut out of the Chinese market since 2020 due mainly to Chinese rules to stop the spread of fungal plant disease. However, even if Australian imports increase, 'fully replacing Canadian canola will be very difficult unless import demand drops sharply,' said Donatas Jankauskas, an analyst with commodity data firm CM Navigator.
Vancouver Sun
36 minutes ago
- Vancouver Sun
Ontario court says airline must compensate families of those killed on Tehran flight
Ontario's highest court has upheld a ruling that found Ukraine International Airlines legally responsible to pay full compensation to families of victims who died in the downing of Flight PS752. On Jan. 8, 2020, the plane was shot down by two Iranian missiles just minutes after taking off from Tehran, killing all 176 people on board. Most of the passengers were bound for Canada, including 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents, while many others had connections to Canada. Under the Montreal Convention, an international law governing air travel, airlines are responsible for proven damages up to US$180,000. Airlines are also responsible for claims above that amount unless the airline can prove the incident did not happen due to its own negligence. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Last year, an Ontario court found that Ukraine International Airlines was negligent because it failed to conduct a proper risk assessment for the flight out of Tehran, and the court found that decision meant the airline could not limit the amount of compensation it provided to families. The Court of Appeal for Ontario dismissed the airline's appeal in a decision released Monday. Joe Fiorante, a lawyer representing some of the families in the case, called the ruling 'an important result' for those who lost loved ones in the incident. 'The ruling of the Court of Appeal brings a small measure of justice for the families,' Fiorante said in a press release. A joint statement by lawyers Paul Miller and Jamie Thornback, who also represent families in the case, called the ruling 'a landmark decision.' 'At a time of heightened conflicts around the world, the judgment sends a clear message to international airlines that open airspace cannot be assumed to be safe airspace,' they said in a press release. 'Airlines must exercise extreme caution and diligence when operating in or near a conflict zone.' Monday's ruling comes after the Supreme Court of Canada decided last year that it would not hear an appeal from victims' families who were trying to enforce a 2021 default court judgment against Iran for $107 million plus interest and costs. The families had taken steps to enforce the ruling by targeting Iran's properties and bank accounts in Canada. But an Ontario judge had dismissed that motion, finding that the Iranian property was protected by diplomatic immunity under Canadian law. The top court upheld that decision on appeal last year. For years, Canada, along with international partners including the United Kingdom, Sweden and Ukraine, has vowed to seek answers about the crash and hold the Iranian regime accountable for violations of international law. Global Affairs Canada says Iran has not claimed full legal responsibility for the incident, and current proceedings against Iran under international law will likely take several more years before a resolution is reached. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our newsletters here .
