Diwali will be less celebratory for many Indian-origin residents in Canada. Why, you ask? Well Canada’s opposition leader Pierre Poilivere has cancelled the annual Diwali celebrations amid the diplomatic standoff between India and Canada. He isn’t the only one doing so.
Are Canadian politicians cancelling Diwali festivities under Khalistani pressure?
It certainly seems so, given the timeline of the decision amid deteriorating ties between India and Canada.
The event’s organiser Overseas Friends of India Canada or OFIC stated that no explanation has been given for the sudden and abrupt cancellation. Shiv Bhasker, President of OFIC said that the event saw a sudden withdrawal of leaders who were expected to attend.
This cancellation is sudden and shocking. In 2023 too, the Diwali bash was held despite Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raising allegations against Indian government officials being involved in the killing of infamous Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Lately, the friendly relations between the two countries have been derailed. The diplomatic cold war started when the Canadian government requested New Delhi to waive diplomatic immunity of six Indian diplomats in the country. Soon after, India chose to withdraw six diplomats who were named as persons of interest in Nijjar’s killing.
Chandra Arya, the Liberal Member of Parliament had recently criticised politicians allegedly giving political patronage to Sikh separatists.
What is the history of Canada’s Diwali bash?
The tradition was started by former Conservative Member of Parliament Deepak Obhrai. He hosted the first party on Parliament Hill 23 years ago. The tradition was continued by other MPs after his death in 2019.
This year Conservative MP Ted Doherty was supposed to host the party. However, this year the office of the Leader of the Opposition called them and told them to cancel it.
How have Indians in Canada responded to the cancellation?
President of OFIC Shiv Bhasker addressed a letter to the office of the opposition expressing disappointment over the cancellation. He said that the diplomatic row between India and Canada has left the community feeling “betrayed and unjustly singled out”.
The cancellation has made the community feel snubbed and betrayed.
The letter also mentioned how the cancellation of important cultural events like this sends a clear message to Indo-Canadians that they are being viewed not as fellow Canadians, but as “outsiders”.
What do you think? Is this decision right?
