• Source:JND
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A Canadian MP of Indian origin has claimed that Khalistani violent extremism is a Canadian problem, urging the country's law enforcement agencies to take the issue with "all seriousness" it demands. Chandra Arya, a Member of Parliament from Nepean in the House of Commons, gave these remarks while addressing the House on Wednesday. 

"Khalistani violent extremism is a Canadian problem, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police has said the national task force is focused on investigating it," Arya said. He emphasised that extremism and terrorism are not limited to national borders and must be addressed on an urgent basis. 

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"I call on our law enforcement agencies to take this issue with all the seriousness it demands," he added. Arya also shared one of his personal experiences in which he claimed that a group of Khalistani protesters staged a disruptive demonstration against him while he took part in a Hindu event. He said that he could safely attend the event only because he got protection from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

"In Canada, we have long recognised and experienced the serious problem of Khalistani extremism," he said. "Let me be clear. The sanctity of Canadian sovereignty is sacrosanct, and any interference by foreign state actors within Canada, in any form, is unacceptable," he added.

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The relationship between India and Canada tarnished after Canada claimed that Indian officials were involved in killings of Canadian citizens on its soil. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of making a “horrific mistake” in violating Canadian sovereignty. “The Indian government made a horrific mistake in thinking that they could interfere as aggressively as they did in the safety and sovereignty of Canada. We need to respond in order to ensure Canadians’ safety,” Trudeau said. 

However, India strongly responded to the claims of Canada by demanding solid proofs regarding the allegations. "The Government of India strongly rejects these preposterous imputations and ascribes them to the political agenda of the Trudeau government that is centered around vote bank politics," said the Ministry of External Affairs in its response.