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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Five dead, including infant, due to suspected contaminated water consumption in Vijayanagara
Vijayanagara: Five individuals, including a newborn, have reportedly died after consuming contaminated water in the village of T. Tumbigere in Harapanahalli taluk. Over 50 residents have fallen ill with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea.
The deceased have been identified as Suresh (30), Mahantesh (45), Gouramma (60), Hanumantappa (38), and an eight-month-old male infant. There are suspicions that their deaths are linked to the consumption of contaminated water.
Villagers have claimed that contaminated water has been supplied to the village for the past 15 days, leading to many residents being hospitalised. Tragically, the infant and four others have succumbed to their illnesses after consuming the tainted water.
More than 50 residents have been admitted to hospitals with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea. A pregnant woman, Nimgamma, has been taken to Davanagere District Hospital with severe symptoms, and it is reported that her unborn child has died due to the condition.
Officials from the Vijayanagara Zilla Panchayat and the Health and Family Welfare Department have rushed to the village to assess the situation.
