MEA rejects "fake memo" alleging links between Indian diplomats, violent activities
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has dismissed a "secret memo" circulating on social media as fake. This memo, dated April 2023, falsely claims that Indian diplomats abroad are linked to violent activities involving Indian diaspora groups. The MEA’s External Publicity and Public Diplomacy Division clarified, “The said GoI communication is fake,” refuting that any such directive had been issued.
This fabricated document, allegedly signed by former Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, suggests that Indian diplomats were instructed to encourage diaspora groups, particularly in Canada, to engage in "street confrontations" with Sikh extremist groups. Named organizations include the Indo-Canada Association (ICA), Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC), TiE Silicon Valley (TiE SV), and US-India Business Council (USIBC).
The fake memo has surfaced amidst heightened tensions between India and Canada, spurred by India’s accusations that Canada has become a refuge for Khalistani separatists. Recently, violence occurred at a Hindu temple in Brampton, Ontario, which India condemned, urging Canada to ensure the safety of Indian diplomats.
This controversy follows accusations from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who alleged last year in Parliament that he possessed credible evidence linking Indian agents to the killing of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2022. India has staunchly denied these claims, calling them “absurd” and accusing Canada of supporting extremist elements on its soil.
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Prime organiser of Messi event in Kolkata arrested over ‘mismanagement’ after stadium chaos
Kolkata (PTI): The police on Saturday arrested Satadru Datta, the prime organiser of the Lionel Messi football event at Salt Lake Stadium here, following widespread chaos at the venue, which prompted the Argentine World Cup-winning captain to leave the field early.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the stadium unrest, Datta was held by the Bidhannagar Police for “mismanagement” of the event from the Kolkata airport, where he had gone to see off Messi and his entourage on their way to Hyderabad.
"We are looking into whether there was any mismanagement from the organiser's side, which led to the chaos at the stadium. He has been detained, and the police have now brought the situation under control," West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar said at a press conference.
A senior police officer later confirmed that Dutta has been arrested. Till reports last received, the police were interrogating him and his manager inside one of the departure lounges of the airport.
The organiser has given in writing that he will refund the prices of tickets he sold to the disappointed spectators, Kumar said.
What was supposed to be a marquee football spectacle turned into widespread violence and disorder at the stadium after Messi’s brief and tightly ring-fenced appearance, his first at the venue since 2011, left large sections of the crowd frustrated, as they failed to catch a glimpse of their superstar despite having travelled from far and wide, paying hefty sums for tickets.
Police said they were also investigating how organisers allowed sale of bottled waters and beverages inside the stadium premises, which are banned items during such events.
Thousands of water bottles were used as missiles and lobbed inside the pitch by angry spectators, who also uprooted bucket seats from the gallery and used them as ammunition inside the field against the defending police and security personnel.
Spectators alleged that water bottles were being sold at a massive premium inside the stadium despite police disallowing such items from outside at the entry gates.
Police agreed there was an underlying tension in the galleries on account of Messi not showing his footballing skills on the field, which only got aggravated after a bunch of VIPs, including State Sports Minister Aroop Biswas and unidentified people, blocked the football icon’s view during the limited time he spent on the ground.
“We are on the job, and will ensure that whoever is responsible for what happened today at Salt Lake Stadium will be punished, and action will be taken against the authorities concerned,” said Jawed Shamim, ADG, Law and Order.
