FEDERAL Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree has condemned a recent demonstration organized outside the Indian Consulate General in Toronto by ‘Sikhs for Justice,’ advocating for Khalistan, that displayed placards showing former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi being gunned down by her two Sikh bodyguards next to an image that showed the face of Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand merged with Gandhi’s face (see screenshot).

(It seems that the guns are actually pointed at Gandhi, though the photo with Anand’s face merged with Gandhi’s face is seen just next to Gandhi’s placard.)

Anandasangaree said in a post on X: “A recent protest in Toronto showed two men shooting at the image of a federal Minister—which is absolutely vile and unacceptable. Canada condemns all threats to public officials, full stop. Those responsible for inciting such hate and violence must be found and held accountable.”

Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State for International Development, wrote on X: “Targeting a public official with threats or violence undermines our democracy. At a recent protest, there was a deeply disturbing depiction of guns being pointed at a photo of Minister Anand. We condemn these acts of hate unequivocally. There is no place for this in Canada.”

Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, said: “Violence has absolutely no place in Canada. I strongly condemn the actions and rhetoric that promoted violence during the demonstration in Toronto. It is unacceptable and entirely contrary to the values of respect, peace and unity that define our country. Canadians have the right to peacefully express their views, but that right can never be used to justify hate, intimidation or harm. Our government will always stand firmly against hatred and violence in all its forms.”