Global Courant
NEW DELHI/LONDON — Freedom of speech cannot be used to “legitimize violence,” India said Thursday in response to media reports citing comments by the Canadian prime minister about Ottawa’s dealings with supporters of a separate state for the Sikh -community.
India called on Canada’s envoy in New Delhi to register its protest after Indian media reported that posters issued by supporters of the Sikh group for rallies there and in Britain also targeted Indian diplomats, a spokesman for the agency said. Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The case has been taken up strongly by Canadian authorities both in New Delhi and Ottawa,” said Mr. Arindam Bagchi. “Posters inciting violence against diplomats and our diplomatic premises are unacceptable and we condemn them in the strongest terms.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was quoted by the media as saying India was “wrong” in suggesting he was soft on the protesters.
He said there is freedom of speech, “but we will always make sure we reduce violence and extremism in all its forms”.
Mr Bagchi said the “issue is not about freedom of expression. But its misuse for advocating violence, promoting separatism and legitimizing terrorism”.
In Britain, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly warned of attacks on the Indian embassy earlier on Thursday, saying the security of the Indian mission was paramount.
Mr Cleverly’s comments followed reports in the Indian media of a poster they say was circulating on Twitter promoting a July 8 rally for ‘Khalistan’, an independent Sikh state that does not exist.
Mr Bagchi also said New Delhi had also tackled vandalism in Washington at the Indian consulate in San Francisco earlier this week, which was condemned by the United States.
He said India got a quick response at “very high levels”. REUTERS
