Congress condemns 'glorification' of Indira Gandhi's assassination at Canada parade
questions PM's silence
New Delhi, Jun 8: The Congress on Thursday condemned the "glorification" of the assassination of former prime minister Indira Gandhi at a parade in Canada and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi why he hasn't spoken to his Canadian counterpart on the issue.
The Congress also urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to take up strongly with Canadian authorities the inclusion of a float depicting the former prime minister's assassination in a parade in Brampton.
Asked about the incident at a press conference here, Jaishankar hit out at Canada, saying there was a larger underlying issue about the space which is given to separatists, extremists and people who advocate violence.
While Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate and general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal hit out at Jaishankar for making a "general comment" on the issue, their party colleague Milind Deora welcomed the minister's "condemnation of the Canadian tableau that celebrated the assassination of Indira Gandhi".
Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala said it is "reprehensible and condemnable" that Prime Minister Modi is silent on the issue and asked whether he is viewing everything with a political motive.
"The assassination of a former prime minister is celebrated and the prime minister of India does not say a single word... Why is the Government of India silent," he asked.
Perhaps, this is the reason why secessionists are raising their head in Punjab once again, he said.
"Why does the prime minister not talk to his counterpart in Canada? ... why has the Canadian ambassador in India not been summoned and a strong protest lodged," the Congress general secretary asked.
Surjewala said every country should be told that no anti-India campaign will be allowed.
"Will the country's prime minister see everything with political motives," he asked.
This is not a partisan issue that the prime minister and his government have chosen to keep quiet. Such incidents have greater ramifications for the peace in Punjab and the rest of the country, he said.
The External Affairs minister should summon the Canadian envoy and lodge a strong protest over the incident, he added.
Surjewala condemned the pro-Khalistan parade in Canada and the "glorification" of Gandhi's assassination.
Gandhi, former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh and thousands of Congress workers laid down their lives to defend the unity and integrity of the country, he said.
Speaking at the press conference, Jaishankar warned Canada against giving space to separatists and extremist elements, saying it was not good for bilateral ties.
"Frankly, we are at a loss to understand other than the requirements of vote bank politics, why anybody would do this.
"Because if you look at their history, you would imagine that they learn from history and they would not like to repeat that history. It is not only one incident, however, egregious it may be," Jaishankar said.
"I think there is a larger underlying issue about the space which is given to separatists, to extremists, to people who advocate violence and I think it is not good for relationships and not good for Canada," he added.
Earlier, Canadian High Commissioner to India Cameron Mackay said he was "appalled" by the reports of the event in his country that "celebrated" the assassination of Gandhi.
"There is no place in Canada for hate or for the glorification of violence. I categorically condemn these activities," he said in a tweet.
Deora shared on Twitter a purported video, which is doing the rounds on social media, of the float at the Brampton parade depicting Gandhi's assassination.
"As an Indian, I'm appalled by the 5-km-long parade which took place in the city of Brampton, Canada, depicting the assassination of Indira Gandhi," the former Union minister said.
"It's not about taking sides, it's about respect for a nation's history and the pain caused by its Prime Minister's assassination," Deora said.
This extremism deserves universal condemnation and a united response, he asserted.
Sharing Deora's tweet, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "I entirely agree! This is despicable and Dr S Jaishankar should take it up strongly with the Canadian authorities."
Responding to Deora's tweet, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said, "You are completely right... There should be no politics in condemning this despicable act across party lines."
In a tweet later, Deora welcomed "Jaishankar ji's condemnation of the Canadian tableau that celebrated the assassination of Indira Gandhi".
"In moments when we rise above petty politics and unite as a nation, India wins. It's crucial to foster a climate which safeguards the dignity of our nation & its leaders," he said.
Congress spokesperson Shrinate, however, expressed dissatisfaction over the government's response.
"An Indian prime minister was assassinated by separatist forces. Her assassination is glorified by pro-Khalistan extremists in Canada.
"And all that our government has done is make this one general comment -- without even naming Smt Indira Gandhi. Our national interests and security must be above any political concerns. India must take this up officially with the Canadian government," she said.
Senior Congress leader Venugopal asked why Jaishankar did not unequivocally condemn the "disgusting event of Brampton".
"Smt. Indira Gandhi ji was one of the tallest leaders in Indian history, who laid down her life to protect India's sovereignty," he said.
"In his briefing today, S. Jaishankar gave a general statement, instead of specifically acknowledging Indira ji's martyrdom. Why did he prevaricate, and not unequivocally condemn the event?"
"We demand a strong response from the Prime Minister himself, and the EAM and the Indian High Commission in Canada must take firm steps to convey the anger of 140 crore Indians," he said.
Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984.
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Protests in Jammu region over VDG killings, Kishtwar observes shutdown
Kishtwar/Jammu (PTI): There were sporadic protests in the Jammu region on Friday over the killings of two Village Defence Guards by terrorists the previous day, while a complete shutdown was observed in Kishtwar with demonstrations against Pakistan.
Security has been beefed up in Kishtwar district -- from where the two Village Defence Guards were abducted and killed -- as people came out in large numbers to give vent to their anger and demanded "immediate elimination" of the terrorists involved in the killings.
All shops and businesses were closed and traffic was off the road in the district, while there was thin attendance in schools and other educational institutions.
Protests were also reported from Kuntwara, Thakurie, Paddar and other areas early this morning, with slogans of ''Pakistan Murdabad'' being raised and a sit-in on the roads.
Terrorists killed two VDGs after abducting them in the higher reaches of the Kishtwar district. Jaish-e-Mohammad offshoot Kashmir Tigers has claimed responsibility for the attack. A massive joint search operation is underway by police and the Army in the dense forest area following the brutal killings.
As the news spread about the killings, hundreds gathered in the Drabshalla area of the district Thursday morning, chanting 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai', and burning tyres and blocking roads. They also raised slogans against Pakistan and terrorists.
In the Kishtwar town, a women-led protest march was organised by the Sanatan Dharam Sabha. hey sat on a dharna at the main chowk, burning tyres and the Pakistani flag.
"We want decisive action against Pakistan, its terrorists and its ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir. There should be massive crackdown to eradicate terrorists and its supporters," said Satoshi Devi, one of the protestors.
Drabshalla resident Kuldeep Singh said, "This kind of incident has not happened in this area for a long time. The victims were grazing their cattle when terrorists kidnapped and killed them. This is an act of cowardice. We cannot tolerate this. People stand firmly against terrorism."
"We demand a massive operation to eliminate the terrorists involved in this act. Security forces should sweep the entire hills so that people feel safe to go out to graze cattle in these areas," he added.
The Sanatan Dharam Sabha urged the general public in Kishtwar to fully support the bandh call and keep all their business establishments, educational institutions and shops closed.
Kishtwar MLA Shugan Parihar condemned the killings and said, "I am deeply saddened by the horrific killings of our VDG brothers, Nazir Ahmed and Kuldeep Kumar, in a heinous act of terrorism in the forest area of Kuntwara, Kishtwar district. I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of these brave martyrs".
She added, "The grief and pain of losing someone in this manner is something I deeply feel."
In Jammu, protests were held by the Kishtwari Sangathan and they burnt the effigy of National Conference (NC) and its leaders. They demanded beefing up security areas of Kishtwar where the minority community lives, and carrying out operation to clear the hills of terrorists.
Protests were also held in Udhamour, Sanva, Kathua and Reasi districts.
