Canada rejects allegations linking Modi, Jaishankar to criminal activities
New Delhi: The Canadian government has denied any connection between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to criminal activities within Canada.
A statement from Nathalie G. Drouin, the national security and intelligence advisor to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, clarified that there is no evidence implicating the Indian leaders. "Any suggestion to the contrary is both speculative and inaccurate," the statement read.
The clarification follows a report by The Globe and Mail alleging links between the Indian leadership and the death of NIA-designated terrorist Hardeep Nijjar in Canada. India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) strongly refuted the report, labelling it "ludicrous" and dismissing it with "the contempt it deserves."
The MEA reiterated its stance, calling such allegations part of a "smear campaign" that harms already strained diplomatic ties.
This development comes amidst heightened tensions between India and Canada. Prime Minister Trudeau had previously claimed "credible allegations" of India's involvement in Nijjar's killing, which India vehemently denied, describing the accusations as "absurd" and "motivated."
Nijjar, a Khalistani activist, was killed outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023. Following the incident, India recalled six diplomats after they were declared "persons of interest" by Canadian authorities.
India has consistently expressed concerns over extremism and anti-India activities in Canada, urging the Trudeau government to take appropriate action against such elements.
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Young woman from MP who shot to fame during Kumbh found to be minor, case registered against husband
Khargone (MP) (PTI): The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes on Friday confirmed that a young woman from Madhya Pradesh who became famous due to her viral videos during the 2025 Maha Kumbh has been found to be a minor after an inquiry.
Citing the findings of an inquiry panel set up by the commission, local BJP leaders alleged that her interfaith marriage in Kerala last month was a case of "love Jihad", and sought legal action.
While the panel had submitted its report in March, ST commission chairman Antar Singh Arya confirmed its findings to the PTI on Friday.
A case for alleged kidnapping and offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has already been registered against her husband, a Muslim man, at Maheshwar on the basis of the inquiry findings, police said.
The girl gained national fame after her videos while selling garlands and rudraksha at the Maha Kumbh went viral on social media and also earned her a role in a film.
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes set up an inquiry panel after receiving a complaint on March 17 from Pratham Dubey, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, that she was a minor and was being exploited.
Maheshwar BJP MLA Rajkumar Mev and BJP mandal president Vikram Patel, armed with documents, told reporters on Friday that her marriage in Kerala was a case of "love Jihad" and she should be brought back home.
'Love jihad' is a term used by right-wing groups to allege a conspiracy by Muslim men to lure Hindu women into marriage to convert them to Islam.
Police said an investigation is underway, and further action would be taken accordingly.
The girl, who belongs to the nomadic Pardhi community, got married at a temple in Kerala in March. The interfaith marriage drew angry reactions from rightwing Hindu groups.
Her family members and film director Sanoj Mishra -- who had offered her a film role after she became famous -- too alleged that it was 'love Jihad'.
As per the inquiry conducted by the ST commission, records at the Maheshwar government hospital showed the woman's date of birth as December 30, 2009 which meant she was 16 years and two months old at the time of marriage, said Dubey, the complainant.
On a complaint filed by her father, police registered a case against the girl's husband at Maheshwar police station on March 25 for alleged kidnapping and under the POCSO Act and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Police sources said that a separate case was also registered on March 24 under section 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (taking a minor from lawful custody of guardian without their consent) based on the the commission's findings.
