Reflects Taliban mindset: Sikh leaders slam pro-Khalistan protest ahead of PM Modi's G7 Summit visit
In response to pro-Khalistan protests in Canada, where demonstrators, including children, took to the streets to express their discontent with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's attendance at the G7 Summit, several prominent Sikh leaders from India have strongly condemned these actions, labeling them as reflective of a Taliban mindset.
Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa expressed grave concern, saying, "Some people have now started using even children for their political agendas. These are just a handful of individuals who have tried every tactic possible, and now they are attempting to influence the minds of young children.
"Because of this, Sikhs around the world are being defamed. Sikhs across the globe are being viewed differently. This behaviour reflects the mindset of the Taliban. Sikhs have always followed the path shown by the Gurus, and this act goes completely against their teachings."
The visuals of children participating in such protests triggered widespread condemnation.
Maninderjeet Singh Bitta, President of the All India Anti-Terrorist Front, warned against such provocative actions.
"To those who are throwing stones at the Prime Minister's photo and burning his effigy, those days are gone. The fear you once tried to create is over. He went straight to the place you used to ignite hate from. Do whatever you want, he is standing before you. This stone-pelting, insulting the national flag, all of this has lost its impact now," he said.
R.P. Singh, BJP National Spokesperson, emphasised the innocence of the children involved in the protest, saying, "I don't think the children are being brainwashed. Those children probably don't even know whose picture they are acting against. Maybe they also don't realise what PM Modi has done for this country, for Punjab, and for the Sikhs."
Voicing similar concerns, Sardar Trilochan Singh, former Secretary of Gurdwara Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh, said, "These are children from another country being misled, and they are inciting the sentiments of people in India. Their minds have been brainwashed, which is not acceptable from any perspective. The Canadian government must take this issue seriously. It is wrong to defame Prime Minister Modi in this manner, a leader who is working tirelessly for Sikhs, the nation, and the world..."
Takht Sri Harmandir Sahib Secretary Harbans Singh also reacted with disapproval.
"It was very shocking to see and hear. We do not support what happened. Today what PM Modi is doing, he is setting an example with his leadership," he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
30 minutes ago
- India Gazette
BJP's Rajeev Chandrasekhar slams Congress over Jamaat-e-Islami support in Nilambur bypoll
Malappuram (Kerala) [India], June 16 (ANI): BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Monday criticised the Congress party over its alleged association with Jamaat-e-Islami in the upcoming Nilambur Assembly bypoll and accused the party of playing 'opportunistic' politics. Speaking to ANI, Chandrasekhar said, 'The people of India must follow the politics of Rahul's Congress that is being played out here in Nilambur. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra came to Nilambur yesterday to campaign, and she had no words to talk about the obvious contradictions of the Congress party that waves a constitution on one hand and enters into a political alliance with separatists, terror-supporting organisation Jamaat-e-Islami... She comes here but doesn't say a word about the future of the people of this place, but speaks about problems in Gaza and Iran for her petty politics...' After Jamaat-e-Islami announced its support to UDF candidate, the BJP leader further said that going into a 'political alliance' with a 'radical' organisation like Jamaat-e-Islami exposes Congress' 'double standards, lies and opportunist politics.' Chandrasekhar stated, 'Why is Rahul's Congress getting into alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami... Jamaat-e-Islami is an organisation that invited Hamas to speak to the youth of Kerala. It is the organisation that supported terrorist Ajmal Kasaab. It is an organisation that did not speak one word against Pakistani terrorists in the recent killings in Pahalgam. This is the desperate politics of Rahul's Congress. Going into a political alliance with a known radical organisation like Jamaat-e-Islami is a fact that people of India should know and expose the double standards and the lies and opportunist politics of Congress.' Highlighting BJP's position in the by-election, he said that the party has put a vision of 'Viksit Nilambur' which is part of broader 'Viksit Keralam'. Chandrashekhar added, 'As far as BJP is concerned for the Nilambur, we have put forward a vision of 'Viksit Nilambur' which is big part of 'Viksit Keralam', a vision we have built for Kerala. We believe all the people of Nilambur deserve development, job and opportunities...' In the Nilambur by election, Jamaat-e-Islami announced their support for UDF candidate. On June 15, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra held a roadshow in Nilambur to campaign for the Congress candidate in the upcoming Nilambur Assembly bypoll. The visit is seen as a major boost for the Congress, which is working to secure a win for its candidate Aryadan Shoukath (UDF candidate). Nilambur bye-polls are set to happen on June 19, with counting on June 29. The elections were necessitated after the resignation of PV Anvar, an LDF-backed MLA, who stepped down in January after making several allegations against the Left government in the state. However, Anvar is going to contest the elections under the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) banner. Anvar will be going up against National Democratic Alliance candidate Michael George. The byelection has political significance as it is a precursor to next year's state assembly election and will test the popularity of the current government led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan (ANI)
India Gazette
30 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Indian students in Iran to be relocated Foreign Ministry
New Delhi is planning to relocate some Indian students in Iran to "safer places" within the country, and is also exploring "other feasible options" for their safety, the Indian foreign ministry said on Monday. More than 1,500 Indian students, most of them from the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, are stranded in Iran, the NDTV news channel said on Monday. Parents of the stranded Indian students have appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, requesting their intervention to ensure the safe return of their children, local media said. Israel launched "Operation Rising Lion" on Friday against Iran, which retaliated with missiles attacks against the Jewish state. Since then, both countries have launched further missile barrages against each other. The majority of Indian students in Iran, who are primarily pursuing medical degrees in cities such as Tehran, Shiraz, and Qom, are now awaiting assistance to return home, the NDTV news channel has reported. On Monday the Indian Embassy in Tehran said it isclosely monitoringthe security situation and is in constant touch with the students. The embassy, which on Sunday, advised all Indian nationals and Persons of Indian Origin to remain vigilant, has provided a link to a Google Docs form on its X account to provide their contact details. The mission has also provided a link to a Telegram group and asked Indian citizens to join it to receive updates. All flights to and from Iran have been suspended, with the country's airspace remaining indefinitely closed for commercial aviation. According to a report by news magazine The Week, five Indian students, including three from Kashmir and two from Maharashtra, were injured in Israeli airstrikes. "Around 300 of us were shifted to a safer location, which I cannot reveal for security reasons," a student was quoted as saying to the magazine. New Delhi has requested that Tehran facilitates the safe evacuation of its stranded citizens. Iran said on Monday that although the country's airspace is currently closed, all land borders remained open, allowing for safe evacuation. India enjoys warm ties with Iran's neighbor Armenia, which is seen as a safe destination for Indian students. (
India Gazette
30 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Former Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani's last rites performed with full state honours in Rajkot
Rajkot (Gujarat) [India], June 16 (ANI): The last rites of former Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP leader Vijay Rupani were performed with full state honours on Monday in Gujarat's Rajkot. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and other leaders were also present at the funeral. Former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani was accorded a 21-gun salute during his last rites, as a mark of respect to the departed leader. The last rites were performed at the Ramnathpara crematorium. The funeral procession began from his residence at 5 pm. Rajkot Police had implemented comprehensive security measures and traffic restrictions to facilitate the procession. Earlier on Monday, in Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel laid a wreath and paid his last respects to former Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, whose sudden demise in the Air India plane crash has left the state in mourning. Chief Minister Patel, accompanied by senior Cabinet ministers, stood in solemn tribute at the mortuary block of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where Rupani's mortal remains were kept for public homage. Gujarat Health Minister Rushikesh Patel and Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi also paid their respects. Former Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel was among the early visitors to the mortuary; he met family members and offered condolences. An emotional moment also unfolded when Rupani's wife, Anjali Rupani, bid an emotional farewell to her husband. Surrounded by close family members and friends, she stood by his mortal remains as rituals began ahead of the final rites. Former CM Vijay Rupani's family expressed profound grief over the loss. Extending their condolences to all those affected by the tragic incident, his son Rushabh Rupani said, 'This is a sad time not just for us, but for 270 families too,' while expressing gratitude to those who have supported them during this mourning period. 'This is a sad time not just for our family but also for the other 270 families. I thank the Police, Aarogya staff, Civil Defence, Fire Services and RSS workers for their rescue efforts during this incident, which are praiseworthy. I also express gratitude to PM Modi, CM Bhupendra Patel and other leaders for supporting and standing with not just our family, but also all other families,' he said. Rushabh reflected on his father's political legacy, noting that Rupani had touched countless lives in his five-decade-long public life. He added, 'My father touched many lives during the 50-55 years of his political life. Today, all those people are standing by us. Many party workers from Punjab are also coming here to express their condolences.' Rupani was among the 241 who died when the London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff, colliding with a doctor's hostel complex near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12. Meanwhile, in the Ahmedabad plane crash, out of the 242 people involved, the sole survivor, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British national of Indian origin, is currently undergoing treatment for his injuries. (ANI)
