<p>India is concerned over the recent attempts by the extremists and Khalistani elements to influence the decision-making process and policy in Canada and UK on the farmer protest issue.</p>

<p>Canada and the UK are&nbsp;home to an influential Sikh community and Indian leaders say there are some fringe groups there that are still sympathetic to the cause of an independent Sikh state called&nbsp;Khalistan, carved out of India.</p>

<p>The farmers are protesting against the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020.</p>

<p>Thousands of farmers have gathered at Delhi’s borders to protest against the new farm laws. Talks between the government and protesting farmers remained inconclusive on Saturday even after five rounds of discussions as union leaders stuck to their demand for the repeal of the new farm laws.</p>

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<p>London police were seen in full force giving protection to Indian High Commission as demonstrators gathered on Sunday in support of Indian farmers protesting against farm laws. The protestors raised anti-India and pro-farmer slogans.</p>

<p>Khalistani terrorist Paramjeet Singh Pamma, who is on the National Investigation Agency’s most wanted list, was seen raising anti-India slogans at the Khalistani terror funded rally in London.</p>

<p>Paramjeet Singh Pamma is wanted in India for his involvement with designated terror group Sikhs for Justice, which is funded by Pakistan ISI.</p>

<p>Jagmeet Singh, the leader of Canadian Federal Opposition New Democratic Party&nbsp;described the “violence perpetrated” by the government against “peacefully protesting” farmers as “appalling”. Stating he stood in “solidarity” with the farmers, he called upon the Indian government to “engage in peaceful dialogue” with them.</p>

<p>Pro-Khalistan separatist groups in Canada have also joined the chorus of opposition to the farm laws against which the protests are being held. Sukhminder Singh Hansra, the senior member of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) Canada branch, wrote to Canada’s foreign minister François-Philippe Champagne, seeking intervention to protect the “fundamental rights” of the protesting farmers, adding that the Canadian Sikh community was “monitoring the situation very closely.” Hansra, one of the leading proponents of Khalistan in Canada, framed the matter in terms of self-determination.</p>


India is concerned over the recent attempts by the extremists and Khalistani elements to influence the decision-making process and policy in Canada and UK on the farmer protest issue.

India is concerned over the recent attempts by the extremists and Khalistani elements to influence the decision-making process and policy in Canada and UK on the farmer protest issue. Canada and the UK are home to an influential Sikh community and Indian leaders say there are some fringe groups there that are still sympathetic to the cause of an independent Sikh state called Khalistan, carved out of India. The farmers are protesting against the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act, 2020, and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act, 2020. Thousands of farmers have gathered at Delhi’s borders to protest against the new farm laws. Talks between the government and protesting farmers remained inconclusive on Saturday even after five rounds of discussions as union leaders stuck to their demand for the repeal of the new farm laws. × London police were seen in full force giving protection to Indian High Commission as demonstrators gathered on Sunday in support of Indian farmers protesting against farm laws. The protestors raised anti-India and pro-farmer slogans. Khalistani terrorist Paramjeet Singh Pamma, who is on the National Investigation Agency’s most wanted list, was seen raising anti-India slogans at the Khalistani terror funded rally in London. Paramjeet Singh Pamma is wanted in India for his involvement with designated terror group Sikhs for Justice, which is funded by Pakistan ISI. Jagmeet Singh, the leader of Canadian Federal Opposition New Democratic Party described the “violence perpetrated” by the government against “peacefully protesting” farmers as “appalling”. Stating he stood in “solidarity” with the farmers, he called upon the Indian government to “engage in peaceful dialogue” with them. Pro-Khalistan separatist groups in Canada have also joined the chorus of opposition to the farm laws against which the protests are being held. Sukhminder Singh Hansra, the senior member of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) Canada branch, wrote to Canada’s foreign minister François-Philippe Champagne, seeking intervention to protect the “fundamental rights” of the protesting farmers, adding that the Canadian Sikh community was “monitoring the situation very closely.” Hansra, one of the leading proponents of Khalistan in Canada, framed the matter in terms of self-determination.

Separatists, politicians in Canada, UK wading into farmers’ protest row

<p>Tens of thousands of Indian farmers have been trying for more than a week to encircle the capital New Delhi in protest at new laws on farm produce trading.</p>

<p>New Delhi has passed reforms that enable farmers to sell produce anywhere in India and avoid state-run markets.&nbsp;The protests are led by farmers from Punjab, an Indian state which accounts for many migrants in Canada.</p>

<p>The Enforcement Directorate of India&nbsp;is investigating the Hawala network, operating in the state of Punjab the based on Canadian handlers. This Hawala money is allegedly being funded in some portion of the farmers' protest. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>India has called the remarks by foreign leaders and politicians on protests by farmers as "ill-informed" and "unwarranted" as the matter pertained to the internal affairs of a democratic country.</p>

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<p>Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s support for farmer protest is part of a political strategy and is hypocritical.</p>

<p>In Ottawa on Friday, Trudeau told reporters: "Canada will always stand up for the right of peaceful protests and human rights anywhere around the world." He added he was "pleased to see moves towards de-escalation and dialogue" between farmers and the Indian government.</p>

<p><b>Value of Sikh votes</b></p>

<p>Sikhs are the dominant ethnic group in the eight seats of the House of Commons in Canada, as well as a significant minority group in 15 other seats where they can change the polling equation.</p>

<p>Trudeau’s track record on Sikh issues has been a concern for India earlier, as he behaves in an immature manner for the sake of his political interest by ignoring radicalism.</p>

<p>His delegation, during the state visit in 2018, included Jaspal Atwal, who was convicted for attempting to murder Punjab minister Malkiat Singh Sidhu.</p>

<p>Therefore, due to Trudeau’s immaturity, he was given a cold shoulder by the Indian government during his visit when PM Narendra Modi did not go to receive him personally, and instead sent then minister of state for agriculture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.</p>

<p><strong>Canada’s hypocrisy</strong></p>

<p>Canada is that it has consistently opposed India on agricultural issues at the World Trade Organization (WTO). It&nbsp;challenged India at WTO meetings when it sought to defend its agricultural programmes like the minimum support price (MSP) for staple crops such as rice, wheat and pulses.</p>

<p>In July this year, Canada&nbsp;had questioned India on exceeding the permitted limit on food subsidies given for rice production — also called de minimis levels under WTO norms — to farmers in 2018-19. The de minimis level is determined as 10 per cent of the value of food production.</p>

<p>Canada had also sent 25 questions to India with regard to its farm subsidy and also explained the impact of such food subsidies on global agricultural trade.</p>

<p>Subsequently, in September, a slew of questions were posed to India by Canada and other developed nations regarding its multiple agriculture policies.</p>

<p>The Indian farmers are demanding what Trudeau’s government is opposing at WTO.</p>


Tens of thousands of Indian farmers have been trying for more than a week to encircle the capital New Delhi in protest at new laws on farm produce trading. New Delhi has passed reforms that enable farmers to sell produce anywhere in India and avoid state-run markets.

Tens of thousands of Indian farmers have been trying for more than a week to encircle the capital New Delhi in protest at new laws on farm produce trading. New Delhi has passed reforms that enable farmers to sell produce anywhere in India and avoid state-run markets. The protests are led by farmers from Punjab, an Indian state which accounts for many migrants in Canada. The Enforcement Directorate of India is investigating the Hawala network, operating in the state of Punjab the based on Canadian handlers. This Hawala money is allegedly being funded in some portion of the farmers' protest. India has called the remarks by foreign leaders and politicians on protests by farmers as "ill-informed" and "unwarranted" as the matter pertained to the internal affairs of a democratic country. × Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s support for farmer protest is part of a political strategy and is hypocritical. In Ottawa on Friday, Trudeau told reporters: "Canada will always stand up for the right of peaceful protests and human rights anywhere around the world." He added he was "pleased to see moves towards de-escalation and dialogue" between farmers and the Indian government. Value of Sikh votes Sikhs are the dominant ethnic group in the eight seats of the House of Commons in Canada, as well as a significant minority group in 15 other seats where they can change the polling equation. Trudeau’s track record on Sikh issues has been a concern for India earlier, as he behaves in an immature manner for the sake of his political interest by ignoring radicalism. His delegation, during the state visit in 2018, included Jaspal Atwal, who was convicted for attempting to murder Punjab minister Malkiat Singh Sidhu. Therefore, due to Trudeau’s immaturity, he was given a cold shoulder by the Indian government during his visit when PM Narendra Modi did not go to receive him personally, and instead sent then minister of state for agriculture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. Canada’s hypocrisy Canada is that it has consistently opposed India on agricultural issues at the World Trade Organization (WTO). It challenged India at WTO meetings when it sought to defend its agricultural programmes like the minimum support price (MSP) for staple crops such as rice, wheat and pulses. In July this year, Canada had questioned India on exceeding the permitted limit on food subsidies given for rice production — also called de minimis levels under WTO norms — to farmers in 2018-19. The de minimis level is determined as 10 per cent of the value of food production. Canada had also sent 25 questions to India with regard to its farm subsidy and also explained the impact of such food subsidies on global agricultural trade. Subsequently, in September, a slew of questions were posed to India by Canada and other developed nations regarding its multiple agriculture policies. The Indian farmers are demanding what Trudeau’s government is opposing at WTO.

How foreign endorsements are harming Indians farmers

<p>The Indian High Commission in London reached out to the UK Foreign and Home office after a large group of protestors began protesting in front of the mission, defying COVID-19 protocols&nbsp;and carrying Khalistani flags.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The demonstration&nbsp;was attended by&nbsp;3,500-4,000 people, which defied the rule of no gathering of more than&nbsp;30 people, which has been put in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Nearly 700 vehicles were also spotted at the rally, even though permission was sought only for 40.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-extends-support-to-bharat-bandh-as-deadlock-between-farmers-govt-continues-347886" hreflang="en">Congress extends support to 'Bharat Bandh' as deadlock between farmers, govt continues</a></strong></p>

<p>Vishwesh Negi, Minister (Political, Press and Information), Indian high commission in London said, "The developing situation was brought to the attention of the UK Foreign Office and Home Office. London Metropolitan Police managed, controlled and eventually disposed the crowds. We could see that a few violent were arrested."</p>

<p>Protestors had told the authorities while taking permission that they will be protesting against the new farms laws of India but Khalistani flags were seen at the protest raising fears of anti-India elements behind the move.</p>

<p><strong>Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/un-chief-comments-on-farmers-protest-in-india-347867" hreflang="en">UN chief comments on farmers protest in India</a></strong></p>

<p>Negi explained, "As expected, it soon became clear that the gathering was led by anti-India separatists who had taken the opportunity of the farm protests in India to ostensibly back the&nbsp;farmers in India but use the opportunity to pursue their own anti-India agenda."</p>

<p>Metropolitan Police had also issued a reminder, ahead of the protest to follow COVID protocols. The High Commission had raised the concerns of the upcoming protest with UK's metropolitan police earlier.</p>

<p>While this is the first such protest this year in front of the Indian mission, last year saw two major protests in the aftermath of India removing special status for the erstwhile status of Jammu and Kashmir. That time, most of the protestors were from the Pakistani diaspora, many of whom tried to vandalize the Indian mission by breaking a windowpane. The matter was discussed at the highest level with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi raising the matter with UK PM Boris Johnson, who assured that the incident will not be repeated.</p>


The Indian High Commission in London reached out to the UK Foreign and Home office after a large group of protestors began protesting in front of the mission, defying COVID-19 protocols and carrying Khalistani flags.

The Indian High Commission in London reached out to the UK Foreign and Home office after a large group of protestors began protesting in front of the mission, defying COVID-19 protocols and carrying Khalistani flags. The demonstration was attended by 3,500-4,000 people, which defied the rule of no gathering of more than 30 people, which has been put in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Nearly 700 vehicles were also spotted at the rally, even though permission was sought only for 40. Also read | Congress extends support to 'Bharat Bandh' as deadlock between farmers, govt continues Vishwesh Negi, Minister (Political, Press and Information), Indian high commission in London said, "The developing situation was brought to the attention of the UK Foreign Office and Home Office. London Metropolitan Police managed, controlled and eventually disposed the crowds. We could see that a few violent were arrested." Protestors had told the authorities while taking permission that they will be protesting against the new farms laws of India but Khalistani flags were seen at the protest raising fears of anti-India elements behind the move. Also read| UN chief comments on farmers protest in India Negi explained, "As expected, it soon became clear that the gathering was led by anti-India separatists who had taken the opportunity of the farm protests in India to ostensibly back the farmers in India but use the opportunity to pursue their own anti-India agenda." Metropolitan Police had also issued a reminder, ahead of the protest to follow COVID protocols. The High Commission had raised the concerns of the upcoming protest with UK's metropolitan police earlier. While this is the first such protest this year in front of the Indian mission, last year saw two major protests in the aftermath of India removing special status for the erstwhile status of Jammu and Kashmir. That time, most of the protestors were from the Pakistani diaspora, many of whom tried to vandalize the Indian mission by breaking a windowpane. The matter was discussed at the highest level with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi raising the matter with UK PM Boris Johnson, who assured that the incident will not be repeated.

Indian high commission in London reaches out to UK foreign office, home office after protests; Khalistani flags seen