The Indian high commission in Ottawa has written to the Canadian government to express its displeasure over a float that depicted the murder of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at a parade commemorating Operation Bluestar's 39th anniversary in the Greater Toronto Area, according to officials with knowledge of the situation.
In June 1984, an operation was planned to clear out separatists holed up in the Golden Temple, the most sacred Sikh shrine in Amritsar. Months later, members of her security detail killed Indira Gandhi.
The “shaheedi [martyrs]” parade float depicted figures of Indira Gandhi and her killers prominently with a sign that the assassination was “Revenge for Attack on Shri Darbar Sahib”, referencing the storming of the Golden Temple.
The notice of complaint was addressed to Global Affairs Canada, the Canadian foreign ministry, by the high commission.
An Indian official described the depiction as unacceptable. “You cannot exceed freedom of expression like this, glorifying the assassination of the leader of a democratic nation,” said the official, who did not want to be named.
Canadian high commissioner to India Cameron Mackay echoed the viewpoint. “I am appalled by reports of an event in Canada that celebrated the assassination of late Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. There is no place in Canada for hate or for the glorification of violence. I categorically condemn these activities,” tweeted Mackay.
A second Indian official cited Jody Thomas' remarks listing India among the top sources of foreign interference and claimed these two developments will have "adverse repercussions" on bilateral relations. Thomas is the national security and intelligence advisor to the Canadian prime minister.