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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau celebrates Diwali, visits Hindu temples amid escalating India-Canada conflict
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau celebrates Diwali, visits Hindu temples amid escalating India-Canada conflict

In the midst of the current situation diplomatic conflict between India and Canada Following the killing of terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared clips from his Diwali celebrations on Sunday.

“Happy Diwali! So many special moments shared with the community this week,” he said in a post on X.

Trudeau also showed off religious threads on his wrist and said he had visited three Hindu temples in Canada in recent months.

“I received these bracelets when I was at three different Hindu temples over the past few months. They bring good luck,” he said, adding that the threads would give him “protection.”

“I won’t remove them until they fall,” he added.

In the video, Trudeau can be seen celebrating Diwali with the Indian community, tying religious threads to his wrists. He was also offered a plate of jalebiswhich he said he would “save for the team”.

Earlier, the Canadian Prime Minister had extended his Diwali wishes to the people on October 31.

“Diwali in Canada would not be possible without our incredible Indo-Canadian community. Indo-Canadians represent the best of Canada – as artists and entrepreneurs, as doctors and teachers, as leaders in business, community and culture,” Trudeau said in the statement.

“This Diwali, we celebrate them and the light they bring to communities across Canada,” he added.

Trudeau further said in the statement that Diwali is important for Hindu Canadians and added that they constitute one of Canada’s largest and most diverse diasporas.

He also said Canada “will always” stand with Hindu Canadians “to ensure their safety and security so that they can freely and proudly practice their religion.”

THE ongoing diplomatic standoff between India and Canada began last month with the Canadian government’s declaration that the Indian diplomats in Ottawa were ‘persons of interest’ as part of its investigation into the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in September 2023.

After the murder of Nijjar, Trudeau claimed that some Indian agents were involved in the killing, a charge vehemently denied by the Indian government.

Canada’s declaration led India recalls its high commissioner to Ottawa and other diplomats targeted last month. The Canadian government then expelled the six diplomats, prompting India to return the favor.

Published by:

Ashutosh Acharya

Published on:

November 3, 2024

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