Sanjay Verma, the Indian High Commissioner who was recalled from Ottawa amid the huge diplomatic standoff with Canada, revealed that he was once nearly attacked with a sword by a Khalistani terrorist in Alberta. “When I was in Alberta my wife was also with me,” Verma said, saying that around 150 protesters had gathered outside the venue, wielding a sword rather than a ‘kirpan’, which is a Sikh religious symbol. “We Indians who have seen Sikhism…know the difference between a sword and a kirpan. So this was a sword, which came about 2 to 2.5 inches away from my body,” Verma revealed, while speaking to news agency ANI.
Verma said that the local authorities, including the RCMP and the police, were surprised by the intensity of the attack. “The local police got into action immediately and pushed them back. They also held an interrogation. I was not informed about the final results,” he added.
Verma said that he also explained the difference between a religious ‘kirpan’ and a sword to the Global Affairs department of Canada, which had also been notified about the attack.
Verma further stated that Canada was also concerned over potential risks to Indian diplomats, and that resulted in the envoys being given Royal Canadian Mounted Police protection.
Reflecting on the diplomatic standoff between the two countries, he said, “My main purpose is that the relationship between the two countries should be restored.”
He further stated that Khalistani “goons” threaten peace-loving Indo-Canadians and vandalise their places of worship.
Tensions escalated between India and Canada after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in Parliament that there were “credible allegations” connecting India to Nijjar’s murder. India rejected the accusations, calling them “absurd” and “motivated”. India recalled Verma following accusations by Canada that he was linked to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani activist. While Verma denied the charges, India expelled six Canadian diplomats accusing Canada of “baselessly targeting” its officials.
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