Canadian Deputy PM Struggles to Address Parliament's Tribute to Khalistani Separatist Nijjar

June 22, Vancouver : 
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was asked why the Canadian Parliament is paying respect to Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was on the no-fly list and had his bank accounts frozen before he passed away.

In a video that has since gone popular online, a journalist questioned Freeland about the seeming contradiction of paying tribute to Nijjar given the government's history of persecution of him. The journalist wanted to know why there was such a dramatic shift. In response, Freeland condemned the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian territory and emphasised the recent tragic anniversary. After the assassination, she lauded Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's posture, describing it as both important and challenging.

As a first point, I should mention that the anniversary of the murder was this week, and it was a very sad and serious occasion. I was in the House of Commons, and I suppose the two men sitting next to her were too. It was necessary to observe a minute of quiet to acknowledge that this was the unfathomable killing of a Canadian citizen in Canada. Second, I must express my admiration for the prime minister's firm stance in the aftermath of the murder. She went on to say, "It wasn't an easy thing to do, but it was the right thing to do."

Without regard to the repercussions, Freeland restated Trudeau's dedication to equality under Canadian law and protection from threats. Nevertheless, she avoided directly answering questions about Nijjar's no-fly list status, the reasons behind the freezing of his accounts, and the reasoning behind Parliament's homage to him. No matter the stakes or the identity of the threat, the Canadian government will defend its citizens and uphold the law. "It was a huge deal for the prime minister to do that, and I think we can all rest easy knowing that he will always stand up for Canadians and against those who kill Canadians," she added.

Chrystia Freeland dodged the question of why Nijjar suddenly gained support after his death, given that the same government had restricted him while he was living. Not only was the minister silent on the subject of why Nijjar was feted in Parliament, but he was also placed on the no-fly list and had his financial accounts blocked.

A plumber in British Columbia, Hardeep Singh Nijjar moved to Canada in 1997 from his birthplace in India's Punjab's Jalandhar area. Last year on June 18, Nijjar was shot and killed outside a Gurudwara in Surrey by unknown assailants. He was designated as a Khalistani terrorist by India's National Investigation Agency (NIA).