The Indian government says there’s been a rise in “hate crimes, sectarian violence and anti-India activities” in Canada and is warning Indian nationals in the country, including students, to be on the alert.
The news release issued by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Friday did not say what prompted the warning. It said the ministry and Indian diplomats have brought several incidents to the attention of Canadian authorities. It also said the alleged perpetrators have not been brought to justice.
“In view of the increasing incidences of crimes as described above, Indian nationals and students from India in Canada and those proceeding to Canada for travel/education are advised to exercise due caution and remain vigilant,” the release said.
The release also did not point to any data or evidence of an increase in hate crimes.
CBC News has reached out to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs for more details but has not received a response. A number of Canadian federal government departments also have not responded to CBC’s queries.
Latest advisory for Indian Nationals and Students from ???????? in ???????? <a href=”https://twitter.com/cgivancouver?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@cgivancouver</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/IndiainToronto?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@IndiainToronto</a> <a href=”https://twitter.com/MEAIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@MEAIndia</a> <a href=”https://t.co/0YZo6KGZFU”>https://t.co/0YZo6KGZFU</a>
Earlier this week, Sikh organizers held what they called a referendum in Brampton, Ont. on whether there should be an independent Sikh state in northern India called Khalistan.
Capt. Amarinder Singh, the former chief minister of Punjab, has even accused senior ministers in the Trudeau government of sympathizing with the movement — accusations they’ve denied.
Arindam Bagchi, a spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, called it a “farcical exercise” and said it was held by “extremists and radical elements.”
Bagchi added that the matter has been brought up with the Canadian government through diplomatic channels.
“The government of Canada has reiterated that they respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India, and that they will not recognize the so-called referendum,” Bagchi said.
A spokesperson for Toronto Police told CBC News on Friday that the investigation is ongoing and they have not identified a suspect.
“The Hate Crime Unit has not seen a notable trend in hate crimes against people of Indian/South Asian descent,” the spokesperson said.
“We do understand that underreporting of hate crimes is a challenge and that the numbers reported may not accurately reflect what is occurring in our city.”
A spokesperson for York police told CBC News Friday that they have not identified any suspects yet.
Statement is intimidation, expert says
Chinnaiah Jangam, an associate professor of history at Carleton University who specializes in South Asia, said the threat to Indian nationals alleged in the advisory is exaggerated.
“Though there is a right-wing extremism asserting [itself in Canada], I don’t think there is any threat to any minorities here,” Jangam told CBC News.
He said the target audience for the advisory may not be Indian nationals in Canada but rather supporters of the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its leader, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi — as well as BJP and Modi critics abroad.
“Most importantly, the issue of the statement has domestic implications in Indian politics,” Jangam said.
“It is for consumption of [Modi’s] own vote base in India, and also to basically suppress any sort of dissent toward India in North America.”
Chinnaiah Jangam, a professor in Carleton University’s department of history, said the Indian government’s advisory may be an attempt to dissuade parts of the Indian diaspora from criticizing Hindu nationalism. (लैरी कैरी / सीबीसी)
Jangam has reported being the target of harassment and threats over his criticism of the Modi government and the BJP.
Jangam said Indian government officials may be reacting to the events in Leicester by looking to suppress criticism of the Indian government’s treatment of minorities.
“They are preparing some sort of ground,” he said. “It’s very concerning.”
EDMONTON – RCMP say a second suspect has been arrested in the killing of an Alberta county worker.
Mounties say 28-year-old Elijah Strawberry was taken into custody Friday at a house on O’Chiese First Nation.
Colin Hough, a worker with Rocky View County, was shot and killed while on the job on a rural road east of Calgary on Aug. 6.
Another man who worked for Fortis Alberta was shot and wounded, and RCMP said the suspects fled in a Rocky View County work truck.
Police later arrested Arthur Wayne Penner, 35, and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder, and a warrant was issued for Strawberry’s arrest.
RCMP also said there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Strawberry, describing him as armed and dangerous.
Chief Supt. Roberta McKale, told a news conference in Edmonton that officers had received tips and information over the last few weeks.
“I don’t know of many members that when were stopped, fuelling up our vehicles, we weren’t keeping an eye out, looking for him,” she said.
But officers had been investigating other cases when they found Strawberry.
“Our investigators were in O’Chiese First Nation at a residence on another matter and the major crimes unit was there working another file and ended up locating him hiding in the residence,” McKale said.
While an investigation is still underway, RCMP say they’re confident both suspects in the case are in police custody.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
RICHMOND, B.C. – The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the 26-year-old son of a man found dead on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast has been charged with his murder.
Police say 58-year-old Henry Doyle was found badly injured on a forest service road in Egmont last September and died of his injuries.
The homicide team took over when the BC Coroners Service said the man’s death was suspicious.
It says in a statement that the BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of first-degree murder against the man’s son, Jackson Doyle.
Police say the accused will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance.
The homicide team says investigators remained committed to solving the case with the help of the community of Egmont, the RCMP on the Sunshine Coast and in Richmond, and the Vancouver Police Department.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, have broken off without an agreement following 15 hours of talks.
Joe McCann, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they stayed at the bargaining table with help from a mediator until 2 a.m. Friday and made “some progress.”
However, he says the union negotiators didn’t get an offer that they could recommend to the membership.
McCann says that in some ways they are close to an agreement, but in other areas they are “miles apart.”
About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people who can’t navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last week, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.
McCann asks HandyDART users to be “patient,” since they are trying to get not only a fair contract for workers but also a better service for customers.
He says it’s unclear when the talks will resume, but he hopes next week at the latest.
The employer, Transdev, didn’t reply to an interview request before publication.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.
