India calls out Trudeau govt’s ‘pretension’ after it prohibits Australian electrical outlet over Jaishankar meeting–

After Canada prohibited Australia’s famous information electrical outlet Australia Today for broadcasting External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s meeting in which he criticised the Trudeau federal government for enabling extremist pressures to run openly in Canada, India on Thursday claimed the step highlighted Canadian federal government’s “hypocrisy” in the direction of free speech.

#WATCH|Delhi: On Canada obstructing or prohibiting the famous electrical outlet there- Australia Today, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal claims, “We understand that the social media handles, pages of this particular outlet, which is an important diaspora outlet, has been blocked and are not… pic.twitter.com/r0Igyg3Ho0

— ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2024

“We understand that the social media handles, pages of this particular outlet, which is an important diaspora outlet, has been blocked and are not available for viewers in Canada. This happened just an hour or few hours after this particular handle carried the press conference of EAM Dr S Jaishankar with Penny Wong…We were surprised. It looks strange to us. But nonetheless, what I will say that these are actions which yet again highlight the hypocrisy of Canada towards freedom of speech,” said MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

Jaiswal said in the recent media engagement, the External Affairs Minister had addressed three key issues concerning Canada.

“One was Canada making allegations and a pattern has developed without any specific evidence. The second thing he highlighted was surveillance of Indian diplomats happening in Canada, which he termed as unacceptable. The third thing which he highlighted was the political space which has been given in Canada to anti-India elements. So you can draw your conclusions from that, why Australia Today channel was blocked by Canada…,” added Jaiswal.

Australia Today focuses on news and analytical pieces related to the Indian community in Australia and elsewhere across the world.

Last week, a Hindu temple in Canada’s Brampton was allegedly attacked by pro-Khalistani separatists, sparking widespread outrage.

On Tuesday, Jaishankar criticised the Trudeau government, calling the attack “deeply concerning” and accused Canada of providing political space to extremists.

The attack on Hindu devotees, including women and children, took place on Sunday during a consular event organised by the Hindu Sabha Mandir and the Indian consulate.

The incident comes amid a diplomatic standoff between India and Canada, with New Delhi repeatedly accusing Canada of harboring pro-Khalistan elements who operate with impunity on Canadian soil.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the violence, saying, “The acts of violence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir are unacceptable. Every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely.”

However, Trudeau’s record of being perceived as lenient toward Khalistani supporters has drawn criticism from India.

Tensions between the two countries have been high since September 2023, when Trudeau alleged potential Indian involvement in the killing of pro-Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India swiftly rejected the accusation as “absurd” and responded by expelling six Canadian diplomats and recalling its high commissioner.

Last month, ties nosedived when Canada termed the Indian High Commissioner a “person of interest” in its probe into Nijjar’s murder. India vehemently dismissed the fresh charge and recalled the envoy and some diplomats, while expelling six Canadian officials, including Canada’s acting High Commissioner.

With inputs from agencies