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The poster features portraits of Sanjay Kumar Verma, India’s High Commissioner in Ottawa, Apoorva Srivastava, Consul General in Toronto, and Manish, Consul General in Vancouver, describing them as the “killers” of the late separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nagar. Najjar was fatally shot in the parking lot of a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, by unknown assailants. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) of India has announced a reward of ₹10 lakh for information leading to Nijjar’s capture.
The poster’s appearance coincides with a pro-Khalistan rally scheduled for Saturday, from Malton in Mississauga and culminating at the Indian Consulate in Toronto. Variations of this poster circulated on social media in the run-up to the rally, drawing condemnation from Indian and Canadian officials for its threatening content towards the three Indian diplomats.
While Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie and Defense Minister Anita Anand denounced the posters as “unacceptable,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stressed that Canada takes “violence and threats of violence” very seriously.
Trudeau stated earlier this week when asked about India’s concerns about posters and a trolley depicting the assassination of Indira Gandhi in Brampton last month.
Controversy and investigation surround the Sidhu Moose Wala mural in Toronto
A mural depicting the late Punjabi rapper Sidhu Moose Wal in Toronto has sparked controversy, prompting the City of Toronto to launch an investigation. The mural, placed on the wall of a bakery in southern Etobicoke, depicts Seydoux seated at a table, holding a gun. The artwork also features rappers Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls, both of whom were shot to death as Sidhu. In addition, Al Pacino has been cast as Tony Montana from “Scarface” and Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone from “The Godfather” alongside Seydoux. However, it was Seydou’s depiction with a firearm that drew criticism, with many arguing that he promoted gun violence.
The City of Toronto’s Municipal Licensing and Standards Department has received complaints about the mural and is actively investigating.
According to Statistics Canada, Canada saw an unprecedented increase of 1.2 million people in the first half of 2023, with immigration accounting for 98% of this growth. (photo: Twitter)
Artist David G stated, in interviews with local media, that he was commissioned by a Punjabi bakery owner to make a mural of Sidhu. In response to the controversy, the bakery owner expressed his intention to remove the image of Venice from the artwork.
Canada is experiencing population growth amid affordability and jobs challenges
According to Statistics Canada, Canada saw an unprecedented increase of 1.2 million people in the first half of 2023, with immigration accounting for 98% of this growth. While many developed countries are struggling with slowing or even declining population growth, Canada’s population continues to rise, recently crossing the 40 million mark. Even Prime Minister Trudeau celebrated this milestone on Canada Day, July 1.
“We come from diverse backgrounds, but together we are a nation of 40 million people – and there is no challenge we cannot overcome when we stand together. So today let us celebrate each other and continue to build this great country.”
The federal government has set ambitious immigration goals, highlighting the need for a larger working-age population to maintain or expand the country’s tax base as its population ages. However, the government faces criticism because opponents point to issues of affordability, lack of well-paying jobs, and generally low standards of living.
(Daksh Panwar is a journalist and broadcaster based in Ontario. Twitter: @daksh280)
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