Khalistan supporters protest Surrey event with Indian diplomat
On Friday evening, over 60 Sikh activists gathered and rallied outside the Sheraton Guildford Hotel in Surrey, B.C. (Canada) to show the protest against India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Mr Sanjay Kumar Verma attended a trade forum organized and hosted by the Surrey Board of Trade (SBOT). Mr Sanjay Kumar Verma was the keynote speaker of the event. However, Sikh activists or demonstrators did not like his (Mr Sanjay Kumar Verma) presence and protested the presence of an Indian diplomat in the event as their long-term demand for an independent Sikh homeland in northern India called Khalistan was not sanctioned by the Indian government and their separatist movement for the same in India was inhibited.
Cladding yellow dresses and waving yellow Khalistan flags, dozens of demonstrators chanted slogans for the presence of an Indian diplomat in Canada. Some of the activists commented that the Indian diplomat’s attendance at this event was a direct slap in the face of the Sikh community.
In an interview with CBC News, Akashdeep Singh attached to Khalistan Centre told the media that it was impossible to have justice and equity for the Sikh community and establish a normal relationship with India through the High Commission without any form of proof or evidence.
The president and CEO of the SBOT, Anita Huberman told CBC News that she received many messages for cancelling the event. However, she hosted it as the event was focused only on economic opportunities.
She added that they were hosting this type of event in Canada to build a trade relationship between two countries India and Canada. Their event was focussed only on the trade opportunities and business relationship between the two countries.
Anita commented that the event was organized and hosted to delve deep into opportunities for finding more business opportunities and increasing economic engagement between two countries- India and Canada.
