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A Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s party has condemned the government’s move to mark a year of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s death by holding a moment of silence in the House of Commons. Chandra Arya, a Liberal Party MP member of Parliament from Napean, Canada, condemned the tribute, saying it was inappropriate to honour Nijjar.

Chandra Arya said that the Parliament observes a minute of silence exclusively for great Canadians, who have served Canadians immensely for most of their lives, and Nijjar didn’t at all fit into it, reports The Globe and Mail.

MPs from all parties took a moment to honour Nijjar, who was murdered outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023.

Justin Trudeau claimed there were “credible allegations” linking the murder to the Indian government, which has since strained diplomatic relations between Canada and India.

India vehemently denied any such involvement, and termed the allegations “absurd and motivated”.

Member of Parliament Chandra Arya condemned the tribute, saying it was inappropriate to honour Nijjar.

“When Parliament decides to observe a minute of silence, it is very exclusive and limited to a few great Canadians who have served Canadians immensely for most of their lives,” said Arya reported The Globe and Mail.

“Nijjar is not one of those people. That the ‘credible allegations’ that he was killed by a foreign government were considered good enough to elevate him to the ranks of the most respected Canadians is false,” Arya added.

Arya pointed to a Globe and Mail investigation that highlighted concerns over Nijjar’s links to extremism, his entry into Canada on a false passport, and his involvement in the Khalistan separatist movement.

Arya emphasised that Parliament’s observance of a minute of silence should be reserved for Canadians who have significantly served the country.

CANADIAN MP REJECTS KANISHKA CONSPIRACY THEORIES

The controversy has been further fuelled by ongoing tensions surrounding the Air India bombing in 1985, which killed 329 people. Two Canadian investigations attributed the attack to Sikh extremists in Canada.

Arya expressed concern over conspiracy theories promoted by some Khalistan supporters, who claim the Indian government was involved in the bombing. These theories have upset families of the victims.

Deepak Khandelwal, who lost two sisters in the bombing, criticised the Trudeau government’s handling of the situation, saying it “emboldens” such behaviour.

“As painful as this is, I’m speaking out because I don’t want any other family to have to go through this. We cannot allow these elements to become stronger,” Khandelwal said, reported The Globe and Mail.

The Air India bombing remains a sensitive issue, with renewed attention due to recent actions by Khalistan supporters. Some disrupted memorials for Air India victims, promoting conspiracy theories.

“The idea that the Indian government was somehow behind the bombing is totally, totally absurd,” said Mahesh Sharma, a professor at Concordia’s business school, who lost his wife and daughters in the attack.

The federal New Democratic Party (NDP) defended the minute of silence for Nijjar.

“A Canadian was killed on Canadian soil, allegedly by a foreign government. It’s terrifying, and many Canadians are feeling worried and unsafe as a result,” said NDP House Leader Peter Julian.

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland responded to questions about the protests at Air India memorials by reiterating the government’s stance on protecting Canadians’ rights. “You do not have the right, in Canada, to kill Canadians,” she said.