Canada criticized by Congress for ‘Indira assassination float’

The Congress party has asked External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to speak with Canadian authorities about a parade in Brampton that featured a float depicting the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Jaishankar criticized Canada, saying that there is a bigger issue about giving space to separatists, extremists, and those who advocate violence. Cameron Mackay, the Canadian High Commissioner to India, condemned the event on Twitter, saying that there is no place in Canada for hate or glorification of violence. Congress leader Milind Deora shared a video of the float and called for universal condemnation and a united response. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh agreed with Deora and called on Jaishankar to take strong action. Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor also condemned the event. Jaishankar said that he does not understand why anyone would do this and that it is not good for the relationship between India and Canada. Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards in 1984.