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I-Day celebrations were staged for the first time in Canada, hotbed for Khalistanis

The 76th anniversary of India’s independence was commemorated for the first time in Surrey by the Indian Consulate General in Vancouver. British Columbia’s Surrey is a haven for Khalistani separatists. The Surrey Gurdwaras, Dashmesh Darbar and Guru Nanak Sikh, are opposed to India and in favour of Khalistan. Following the murder of Ripudaman Malik, the […]

Khalistani
Khalistani

The 76th anniversary of India’s independence was commemorated for the first time in Surrey by the Indian Consulate General in Vancouver. British Columbia’s Surrey is a haven for Khalistani separatists. The Surrey Gurdwaras, Dashmesh Darbar and Guru Nanak Sikh, are opposed to India and in favour of Khalistan. Following the murder of Ripudaman Malik, the man cleared in the 1985 Air India bombing, there were increased concerns about the activities of radicals in Khalistan, which led to the celebrations in the city of British Columbia.

The city of Surrey observed “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav Day” on August 15, 2022, according to a proclamation made by Mayor Dough McCallum. The declaration emphasised the close ties between India and British Columbia, where more than 400,000 people are of Indian heritage.

“[Like] the history of India’s freedom movement, the journey of 75 years after independence is a reflection of the hard work, innovation, and enterprise of ordinary Indians, whether in the country or abroad,” the proclamation read.

There were declarations made by the mayors of Nanaimo, Burnaby, Victoria, and New Westminster that were distinct yet related.

The Indian Consulate General in Vancouver collaborated with the Naad Arts Centre in Surrey to put on the “Amrit Mahotsav Concert” at the Michael J. Fox Theatre in Burnaby. The concert’s strong points were Kathak, Laavni, Gidha performances, Bhratnatyam dance, and Indian Classical Fusion.

Over 600 people attended the event, including Councillor Sav Dhaliwal of the City of Burnaby; Raj Chouhan, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia; Randy Weakes, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan; Jinny Sims, Member of the Legislative Assembly, Government of British Columbia; and a number of Members of Parliament.

The Amrit Mahotsav performance, which was held in accordance with the “Jan Bhagidari” (people’s involvement) approach, was a celebration of the rich and varied cultural legacy of India, stated Consul General Manish in his opening remarks.

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