On Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded to Canada’s decision to ban Australia’s leading news outlet. The ban was imposed on Australia Today just hours after it aired an interview with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. During a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal criticized the Justin Trudeau-led Canadian government, accusing it of hypocrisy regarding freedom of speech.
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. ANI
"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," Jaiswal said.
"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. You would have seen that EAM in his media engagements, spoke about three things," he added.
In the interview, Jaishankar addressed Canada's unfounded allegations against India concerning the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar and the country’s allowance of anti-India elements to operate within its borders.
Jaiswal’s statement
"You would have seen that EAM in his media engagements, spoke about three things. 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 the Australia Today channel was blocked by Canada," Jaiswal stated.
Last week, a Hindu temple in Canada was reportedly attacked by Khalistani separatists. On Tuesday, Jaishankar criticized the Trudeau government, expressing concern over the assault on Hindu worshippers at a temple in Brampton, Canada. He noted that it was "deeply troubling" and pointed out that extremists are being allowed political space in the country. This incident comes amid a continuing diplomatic conflict between India and Canada, with India asserting that the core issue between the two nations is Canada's tolerance of pro-Khalistan elements operating freely on its soil.
A pro-Khalistani mob assaulted a group of worshippers, including women and children, at a Hindu temple in Canada on Sunday. The attack interrupted a consular event jointly organised by the Hindu Sabha Mandir and the Indian consulate.
The incident in Brampton has ignited widespread outrage, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau—often criticized for his leniency towards Khalistani supporters—also condemning the attack. "The acts of violence at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton today are unacceptable. Every Canadian has the right to practice their faith freely and safely," Trudeau said.
Tensions between the two countries sharply increased after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's claims in September of last year, alleging the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. New Delhi dismissed Trudeau's accusations as "absurd." As the dispute intensified, India expelled six Canadian diplomats and recalled its high commissioner Sanjay Verma, along with other "targeted" officials, from Canada.
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