NDP urges Canada to sanction India, ban RSS amid emergency debate on foreign interference
Ottawa: During an emergency debate in the Canadian House of Commons, MPs raised serious allegations of Indian government involvement in crimes against Canadian Sikhs, prompting calls for significant actions against India. The New Democratic Party (NDP) has proposed that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) be designated a terrorist organisation in Canada. Additionally, they urged for a ban on entry for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) officials linked to violence and sanctions against India.
Liberal MP Ruby Sahota shared distressing accounts from constituents, highlighting threats and extortion calls from individuals connected to criminal gangs in India. “I have had constituents come to me with videos of FaceTime calls from leaders of gangs sitting in prisons in India. How does that happen?” she questioned, emphasising the need to address foreign interference.
NDP MP Heather McPherson echoed the urgency of the situation, calling for a halt to arms sales to India and sanctions against the country. Liberal MP Randeep Sarai stated that all available tools should be employed by the government, including expulsion of Indian diplomats, in light of allegations from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) regarding India's involvement in homicides and extortions.
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh stressed the need to pause intelligence sharing with India, citing concerns about the safety of Canadian citizens. He labelled the RSS as a “violent, extremist, right-wing organisation” that should be banned.
Hindu and Sikh Canadian MPs united in condemning the alleged actions of the Indian government, which Delhi has denied. Randeep Sarai clarified that the issue transcends religious divides, framing it as a matter of Canadians standing against the Indian government.
Political tensions were evident as parties blamed each other for the rise in foreign interference in Canada. Conservatives and NDP members criticised the Liberals for their delayed response to establishing a foreign agent registry, while the Liberals accused the Conservative leadership race of being influenced by Indian interference.
Conservative MP Jasraj Singh Hallan highlighted the alarming rise in violent crime and extortions, attributing these trends to the Liberal government's policies. He claimed that under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, violent crime has surged significantly, exacerbating the safety concerns within Canadian communities.
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Maharashtra Assembly elections 2024: Five key constituencies to watch
Mumbai: The Maharashtra Assembly elections have witnessed a fierce battle for power, with the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance aiming to retain its position and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition striving for resurgence. As counting begins today, 23rd November 2024, 4,140 candidates are in contention for 288 seats. Among these, 234 are general-category seats, while 29 are reserved for Scheduled Castes and 25 for Scheduled Tribes. Here are five constituencies to watch closely:
1. Worli:
Milind Deora (Shiv Sena - Shinde faction), Aaditya Thackeray (Shiv Sena UBT), and Sandeep Deshpande (MNS) are contesting. Aaditya Thackeray, the incumbent, is known for his hands-on approach during the pandemic. Milind Deora, a former minister, appeals to urban voters, while Deshpande focuses on infrastructure and housing issues.
2. Baramati:
Ajit Pawar (NCP) and Yugendra Pawar (NCP - Sharad Pawar faction) are in the fray. Ajit Pawar has held this seat since 1991, while Yugendra Pawar, mentored by Sharad Pawar, is making his debut in this traditional stronghold.
3. Vandre East:
Zeeshan Siddique (NCP) and Varun Sardesai (Shiv Sena UBT) are the key contenders. Siddique is popular among young voters and the Muslim community, while Sardesai has strong ties to Shiv Sena's traditional base.
4. Nagpur South West:
Devendra Fadnavis (BJP) and Praful Gudadhe (Congress) are contesting. Fadnavis seeks his fourth consecutive term, leveraging his development initiatives, while Gudadhe may attract voters dissatisfied with urban infrastructure and public services.
5. Kopri-Pachpakhadi:
Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena) and Kedar Dighe (Shiv Sena UBT) are in a tough contest. Shinde, the current chief minister, highlights his mentor Anand Dighe’s legacy, while Dighe’s nephew, Kedar, challenges him in this Thane constituency.
The election campaign saw prominent leaders, including PM Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, actively canvassing across the state.
