Tableau In Canada Depicting Indira Gandhi’s Assassination Sparks Controversy

A video from Canada portraying a reenactment of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's assassination by her Sikh bodyguards has gone viral on social media and drawn criticism in India.

The footage, which shows Indira Gandhi soaked in blood in front of two Sikh bodyguards aiming weapons at her, has gone viral on the internet. A banner behind this says, 'Revenge Of Attack On Shri Darbar Sahib.'

Tableau On Indira Gandhi Assassination

Several media outlets reported that the procession was coordinated by pro-Khalistan groups. On Saturday, 4 June, a few days before the 39th anniversary of Operation Bluestar, the tableau was marched through the city of Brampton, Ontario.

Indira Gandhi was assassinated on October 31, 1984, only months after Operation Bluestar. The Indian Army was directed to remove pro-Khalistan extremists from the Golden Temple in Amritsar as part of this operation. Following this, the Sikh community mounted major protests.

Balraj Deol, an editor of a local media from Ontario claimed the float was part of a 5-kilometer procession in Brampton. He tweeted,

"Does it help Canada's 'Indo-Pacific strategy'? A float depicting the murder of late Indian PM by her Sikh bodyguards being part of about 5 KM long parade in city of Brampton on June 4th. Jody Thomas may reflect on it!"

During a media conference earlier on Thursday, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar lambasted the Canadian government for being too tolerant of separatists and radicals in Canada. He said, "Canada is continuing to give space for “separatists, extremists, and people who advocate violence”.

Moreover, the High Commissioner for Canada in India expressed disappointment over the incident and shared his thoughts on social media. Netizens are outraged by the event. The contentious video has sparked outrage on social media, notably from Congress Party leader Milind Deora. Following a security breach at the Indian embassy in Ottawa, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Canada's High Commissioner in March of this year.

The summons was issued, according to the MEA, to express our deep concern over the acts of separatist and extremist forces against our diplomatic Mission and Consulates in Canada this week.

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