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Canada Standard
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Canada Standard
India-Canada ties will improve as Carney invited PM Modi to G7 Summit: Canadian journalist
Vancouver [Canada], June 8 (ANI): Canadian investigative journalist Mocha Bezirgan who documents Khalistani demonstrations across Canada, US, Britain and New Zealand on Sunday said that those linked to the separatist movement are 'putting a lot of pressure' on the new Prime Minister Mark Carney to resincd his invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the upcoming G7 Summit. 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 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 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 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. '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)
India Gazette
a day ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
India-Canada ties will improve as Carney invited PM Modi to G7 Summit: Canadian journalist
Vancouver [Canada], June 8 (ANI): Canadian investigative journalist Mocha Bezirgan who documents Khalistani demonstrations across Canada, US, Britain and New Zealand on Sunday said that those linked to the separatist movement are 'putting a lot of pressure' on the new Prime Minister Mark Carney to resincd his invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the upcoming G7 Summit. 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 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 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 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. '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)
Hans India
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Op Blue Star remarks: Cong compares LoP Rahul's politics to that of Mahatma Gandhi's; BJP calls it 'drama'
Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi's, comments on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, made during an interaction at Brown University in the US, have ignited a political firestorm, with the Congress projecting him as a statesman in the mould of Mahatma Gandhi and the BJP accusing the party of staging a "drama" and perpetuating a decades-long cover-up. While responding to a question on the Congress' role during the 1984 riots, LoP Gandhi said, "A lot of those things happened when I was not there, but I am more than happy to take responsibility for everything the Congress party has ever done wrong in its history. I have publicly stated that what happened in the 80s was wrong. I have been to the Golden Temple multiple times; I have extremely good relationships with the Sikh community in India." His remarks came in response to a Sikh attendee questioning the Congress party's treatment of Sikhs in the past and a perceived lack of freedom for the community under its rule. The Congress, along with the INDIA bloc, swiftly rallied behind the LoP. Senior leader Husain Dalwai told IANS, "Rahul Gandhi's politics is truly like Mahatma Gandhi's. One needs a big heart to accept mistakes. During the UPA tenure, Dr Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi admitted the wrongs done to Sikhs. That statement changed the atmosphere in Punjab, and the Congress came to power." "Many mistakes are made while running a government, but one needs to have a big heart to accept and correct them. We are not like the BJP, which says that they do not make any mistakes. Politics doesn't work like this. It is important to be generous in politics," Dalwai said. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP, Sanjay Raut, also backed LoP Gandhi, stating, "Rahul Gandhi is a politician with a clean heart. He accepts his mistakes. In politics, that is a big thing. PM Modi and Amit Shah should learn from him." RJD spokesperson Mrityunjay Tiwari called Rahul Gandhi's acceptance a mark of "greatness" and "maturity." "He did not blame others but took it upon himself. He has set an example," Tiwari told IANS. However, the BJP launched a scathing counterattack, slamming the Congress' hypocrisy of "giving shelter" to those convicted in the Sikh riots. BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh accused the Congress and the Gandhi family of shielding the perpetrators of the 1984 carnage. "In 52 cities, Sikhs were selectively burnt alive, Gurudwaras were torched, and the Congress leaders behind it were awarded Padma awards and given political shelter," he told IANS. "Rahul Gandhi should be ashamed that Sajjan Kumar, convicted for the 1984 massacre, is still associated with the party. His comments are like rubbing salt in the wounds of the widows living just a short distance from his residence," Chugh added. Madhya Pradesh Minister Sarang termed Gandhi's remarks "a drama," questioning why he chose a foreign stage to make such a statement. "If he was sincere, he should have admitted this in India, not in America," Sarang told IANS. "The Congress does nothing but divide society based on religion and caste. Since coming to power after Independence, it has only spread anarchy and created divisions within the community. This party engages in politics solely in the name of religion," he added. BJP leader Parinay Fuke asserted that the Congress' complicity had long been evident. "The massacre forced Sikh families to flee their homes. Rahul Gandhi's admission shows Congress lied for 40 years," he said. Maharashtra Minister Pratap Sarnaik said the LoP's apology for what happened in 1984 shows "his immaturity." "Rahul Gandhi should learn from Amit Shah and Narendra Modi. If he is apologising for decisions taken in the 1980s, those who made those decisions must apologise too," he added.
India.com
02-05-2025
- India.com
Only train in India that serves free breakfast, lunch and dinner to all passengers, the train is..., it operates between...
Every day, Indian Railways carries nearly 2.5 crore passengers across the country using over 13,000 trains, including express, mail, and luxury services. But out of this massive network, there's just one train that stands out by offering something truly special — free meals to all its travelers. This one-of-a-kind train is the Sachkhand Express (Train No. 12715), which travels between Nanded in Maharashtra and Amritsar in Punjab — two important cities for the Sikh community. The route connects Sri Hazur Sahib Gurudwara in Nanded, where the 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, took his last breath in 1708, to the holy Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar. While most trains require travelers to buy food onboard or carry their own, Sachkhand Express passengers are served wholesome, home-style meals completely free of charge. This has been a proud tradition for the past 29 years. This train has been serving free food breakfast, lunch, and dinner to its passengers during the long 33-hour journey that spans almost 2,000 kilometers and stops at 39 stations. Unlike other trains where food has to be purchased, on the Sachkhand Express, volunteers from Gurudwaras serve langar, a traditional community meal, at six major stations: New Delhi, Bhopal, Parbhani, Jalna, Aurangabad, and Marathwada. These meals are simple, home-style dishes such as kadhi-chawal, chole, dal, khichdi, and vegetable curries like aloo-patta gobhi. Passengers are often advised to carry their own plates or containers, as the food is served at designated stops and must be consumed onboard. The meals are completely free of cost, thanks to generous donations made to the Gurudwaras that organize the service. From sleeper class to AC coaches, all passengers are treated equally. Travelers are kindly advised to bring their own plates or bowls to enjoy the langar during the trip. The Sachkhand Express isn't just a mode of transport — it's a moving example of faith, service, and community spirit on wheels.
New Indian Express
25-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Gurudwaras in Srinagar throw doors open for panic-sticken tourists
BENGALURU: Following the Baisaran terror attack in which 26 tourists lost their lives, the Gurudwaras in Kashmir have opened their doors for tourists, who are leaving the valley out of fear and panic. Speaking to this newspaper, President District Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (DGPC), Baramulla, Paramjit Singh said that a wave of panic and fear has gripped the tourists in Kashmir. 'Fearing for their safety, many tourists have descended from the mountains and sought refuge closer to cities and airports in the hope of returning to their home states. Understanding the urgency of the situation and guided by the principles of Seva (selfless service), the managements of various Gurdwaras in Srinagar have opened their doors to provide immediate relief to stranded tourists,' said Singh. He added that Gurudwaras across Kashmir have welcomed tourists from different parts of the country, offering them with 'free accommodation, langar (community meals), safety and comfort during this critical time. Additionally, the 'All district Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee Alliance' managements have extended support to those facing financial difficulties, and are helping them with travel arrangements and other necessary assistance to ensure their safe return,' he added. President, DGPC Srinagar, Jaspal Singh strongly condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack on innocent tourists and said that, 'violence has no place in a civilized society. Such acts must be met with the strictest legal action. The Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee Srinagar stands firmly with the people of Kashmir in denouncing this barbaric act. The Sikh community stands with those who lost their loved ones,' said Singh.
