Protesters gather outside Vancouver Sikh temple where Indian consular officials are visiting
Posted November 2, 2024 2:07 pm.
Last Updated November 3, 2024 10:46 pm.
Protesters have gathered outside a Vancouver gurdwara Saturday as tensions remain high between the Indian and Canadian governments.
The advocacy group Sikhs for Justice is gathered outside the Khalsa Diwan Society Gurdwara on Ross Street, as Indian consular officials are inside meeting with local seniors.
The gurdwara says the officials are there to help seniors of Indian descent complete administrative tasks, mostly related to their pensions, without having to attend the consulate in Vancouver.
Protesters claim the true purpose of the consular officials’ presence is to monitor and gather information on Sikhs in favour of Khalistan within India.
A 50-metre “buffer zone” has been set up around the temple, restricting protesters from blocking the sidewalks or intimidating people.
The Khalsa Diwan Society had said it expects “intense protests” at two “consular camps” scheduled for Nov. 2 and Nov. 16, after the RCMP made allegations about Indian officials involvement in criminal activity in Canada.
India’s foreign ministry has officially denied allegations that their Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah ordered the targeting of Sikh activists inside Canada.
With files from The Canadian Press.
