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    • Why Indian Canadians are boycotting an opposition MP’s postponed Diwali gala – Firstpost
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    Why Indian Canadians are boycotting an opposition MP’s postponed Diwali gala – Firstpost

    Umito Posted on

    In a context of escalating diplomatic tensions between Canada and India, a wave of discontent has emerged within the Indo-Canadian community, particularly around the cancellation and postponement of a Diwali event traditionally organized on Canadian Parliament Hill.

    The event was scheduled to take place on October 30, but in an unexpected move, it was canceled without explanation, with fingers pointed at the opposition leader.
    Pierre Poilievre.

    This cancellation, followed by a postponement to November 5 by Conservative MP Todd Doherty, sparked significant backlash, with many Indo-Canadian groups declaring their intention to boycott the event.

    Diwali on Parliament Hill in Canada: a tradition

    The Diwali celebration on Parliament Hill, a tradition for more than two decades, is an important annual event attended by members of the Indo-Canadian community, including Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains.

    First initiated by the late Deepak Obhrai, Conservative MP, the event is a symbol of inclusiveness and cultural unity. In recent years, it has been spearheaded by Conservative MP Todd Doherty, who co-organized it in 2023 with Overseas Friends of India Canada (OFIC), a major Indian diaspora organization.

    However, this year’s celebration, scheduled for October 30, was
    abruptly canceled without clear reason, in a context of increased diplomatic tensions. Pierre Poilievre’s office released a statement clarifying that “any suggestion that Mr. Poilievre canceled this event is patently false,” saying that Doherty, not Poilievre, was traditionally the event’s host.

    Nevertheless, the community felt wronged. According to OFIC President Shiv Bhasker, the cancellation came as a shock, triggering a feeling of betrayal. “Diwali has already passed. The spirit of Diwali was lost. Most temples do not participate in this event,” Bhasker told an Indian media outlet. Printingfurther noting that OFIC, which had previously co-hosted the event, had not been invited to the rescheduled gala on November 5.

    Rising diplomatic and community tensions in Canada

    The background to the cancellation is a period of
    tense relations between Canada and India, which intensified after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s accusation that Indian government officials may have been involved in the June 2023 killing.
    Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader described as a terrorist by India.

    In October, Canada asked India to lift the immunity of six Indian diplomats, including High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, which India refused. In retaliation, Canada reduced its own diplomatic presence in India, withdrawing several officials.

    Amid these developments, accusations have been circulating that Indian Interior Minister Amit Shah authorized the surveillance of Sikh activists in Canada, which
    India fired as “absurd and baseless”.

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    OFIC expressed disappointment, saying the cancellation reflected deeper problems within Canadian society. “It is with extreme disappointment and sadness that I write this letter to express our dismay at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition for canceling the 24th Diwali celebration on Parliament Hill,” Bhasker wrote to Poilievre .

    In response to the diplomatic rift, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed concerns over a perceived rise in “intolerance and extremism” in Canada, highlighting the difficult climate facing Indian Canadians .

    A case of systematic bias in Canada?

    The cancellation became a flashpoint, sparking accusations of systemic discrimination. Bhasker expressed concerns about allegations of racism in Canada, saying: “This is not just a canceled Diwali event…Racism and discrimination thrive in Canada. »

    According to Bhasker, the decision to cancel the celebration “targeted” Indian Canadians and showed insensitivity to the community’s cultural values. OFIC formally demanded an apology from Poilievre’s office, calling the cancellation an “insensitive and discriminatory act.”

    Supporting OFIC, several other community organizations, including the Hindu Federation and the Voice of the Vedas Cultural Sabha, wrote letters to Poilievre, expressing their dissatisfaction with the handling of the event.

    They argue that the community’s disappointment goes beyond a simple celebration and touches on a broader sense of exclusion and neglect in Canadian politics.

    Boycott Canada’s postponed Diwali event

    Faced with backlash from the community, Conservative MP Doherty postponed the Diwali celebration until November 5. However, the postponed date has not allayed the concerns of Indian Canadians, many of whom are considering boycotting the event.

    “The cancellation of the Diwali event was a turning point. Indo-Canadians are tired of Canadian politicians ignoring their issues,” Bhasker said. He said that although Poilievre had attended individual Diwali events elsewhere, the community expected a public show of support on Parliament Hill, which she said was unfairly denied.

    In 2023, the Diwali gala hosted more than 540 guests, including the Indian High Commissioner and prominent Canadian politicians. However, the community’s trust has been tested by recent developments, with many questioning Canadian leaders’ commitment to supporting Indo-Canadians amid a growing diplomatic divide with India.

    Impact on Indo-Canadians

    The MEA continues to closely monitor the security of Indian nationals in Canada, particularly students and professionals.

    The current context has led to a notable change
    reduction in the number of visas issued to Indians, a trend that has deepened the diplomatic divide. “We monitor the well-being of our students and professionals working in Canada. Our concern for their safety and security remains strong,” the MEA said.

    With the contribution of agencies

    Umito
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