• The networking event was organised by the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC) and it was targeted by the separatist group Sikhs for Justice, which had called for the protest.
  • Sikhs for Justice is a US-based group that supports the secession of Punjab from India as Khalistan.
  • India’s High Commissioner to Ottawa, Sanjay Kumar Verma, stated that they tried to disrupt the event, but did not succeed.

OUR TAKE
Although the pro-Khalistan elements tried to disrupt the event, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police along with the Edmonton Police Service blocked the protesters gathered outside.Pro-Khalistan has received multiple criminal charges in recent years, but they are still active in many incidents today. Therefore, their defense and control should still not be taken lightly.
-Jennifer YU, BTW reporter

At least 80 pro-Khalistan protesters raised derogatory slogans when Indian High Commissioner to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma attended an event organised by the Indo-Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Edmonton on March 11.

The networking event

Nearly 200 invitees attended the event, among them was Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, a former Cabinet minister in the first government formed by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2015.

As mentioned by Verma, “the pro-Khalistan elements tried to disrupt the event, but they did not have any success”. Verma was escorted into the venue by security personnel, who also ensured his safety, and left the centre after the event concluded late on Monday evening.

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Successful event

Ravi Prakash Singh, Chair of the Indo-Canada Chamber of Commerce, told The Hindu from Canada that the event was a success.

“This is one of the most successful events of ICCC and we had really good attendance from all big business leaders, dignitaries, and political figures of Edmonton. Our role as ICCC is to bring the business community together and I personally tried to explain to my friends who were protesting outside for the past five to six days that our event is non-political, non-religious, and we talk purely about business and trade between India and Canada,” Singh added.

The pro-Khalistan

Founded in 2009 and largely led by lawyer Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the organisation was created in response to the murder of Sikhs after Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards.

Sikhs for Justice was banned as an illegal organisation in India in 2019. It held an unsanctioned referendum in October 2021 to establish the Khalistan.India had restarted the e-visa facilities for Canadian citizens after the temporary pause of last year, and the Khalistan issue has emerged as a major issue between the two sides.