India-Canada relations have hit an all-time low
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau has stood his ground in his outlandish claim on extra-territorial killing by agents acting on behalf of India. The Canadian’s allegations of India’s involvement in the pro-Khalistani Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing on its soil that sparked a diplomatic row between the two nations are based on both human and signals intelligence and inputs from one among its five allies namely Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the US and the UK.
Canada and India over the past few days expelled each other’s diplomats and issued tit-for-tit travel advisories banning issuance of visas for Canadian citizens to visit India.
As the country stands accused of being an assassin, India may do well to direct any retaliatory diplomatic action against Canada rather than stop visa services as this action will hit a large number of Indian Canadian citizens or Indian citizens wishing to migrate to Canada for studies. It would do well to share internationally the large amount of evidence it has gathered already about the free plotting in Canada and a few other countries by spreading the anti-Indian propaganda. Simultaneously, all countries should be made aware of the large-scale incitement to violence through horrific hate speeches and threats to diplomats and to the Indian diaspora to leave the country that are being propagated freely in Canada now.
Gregory Fernandes, Mumbai
Indo-Canadian ties worsening
The relationship between India and Canada has been worsening since the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of complicity in the killing of a Khalistani separatist leader.
This can adversely affect the students and migrants who are living in Canada for a better education and future. Their safety must be the first priority of the Indian government. The government should not take such a step which will lead to their insecurity.
Muhammad Hassan, Mumbai
Sour ties will affect socio-economic life
Indo-Canadian relation is not ordinary relation between both countries. Millions of Indian young learners, workers and entrepreneurs are residents there. They also have an impact on political, economic and social life in Canada. Among them are Hindus and Sikhs. Some Khalistan supporters among these Sikhs, who are trying to instigate this separatist idea in India and tarnish India’s international image.
Justin Trudeau’s government, far from taking action against them for political reasons, is providing them patronage. Canada alleged that RAW was behind the murder of Nijjar, but could not provide evidence.
Latest video recordings show that there are several Khalistani groups in Canada waging a guerrilla war among themselves for supremacy. Canada must understand that if someone accused of violence in India obtains Canadian citizenship, shouldn’t the government there consider him a criminal? Canada has formed the intelligence exchange group ‘Five Eyes’ which includes America, Australia, New Zealand and Britain. It is urging these countries to raise their voice against India. If any government in the world supports terrorism, it is an invitation for permanent unrest on its soil. It is up to Canada to think.
A Nawas, Kerala
Porvorim Highway turning into death-trap
Five persons reportedly sustained injuries on Friday when a bus and a car collided with each other at Porvorim. The impact was such that the bus turned sideways and the car was badly damaged. The mishap led to a major traffic jam along the Guirim-Porvorim stretch of the highway. Recently one more fatal accident was reported in the early hours at Porvorim. A driver of the tourist taxi lost control while overtaking a vehicle and rammed into a stationary truck near the petrol pump at Porvorim. The driver was trapped inside the car. He was removed out of the mangled car by emergency services but declared dead by doctors. It may be recalled that a few days back three youngsters died and two were critically injured in a horrific self-accident on the Porvorim highway in the wee hours when their car banged a tree while overtaking. It must be said that the Highway at Porvorim has become a death-trap. Several accidents have been reported along this road. Ironically the expansion and widening of the roads could be a reason for the rise in the number of accidents as drivers speed up along this road, especially at night.
Rent-a-car services also create mayhem with tourists indulging in drunken driving, signal jumping and performing stunts on moving vehicles. The authorities concerned need to take necessary steps to prevent accidents on this stretch of the road which is congested with vehicles throughout the day.
Adelmo Fernandes, Vasco
Resolve Cauvery issue through dialogue
The Supreme Court’s refusal to intervene with the CWMA’s directive to release 5,000 cusecs of Cauvery water daily has put Karnataka in a predicament.
The court also turned down Tamil Nadu’s plea for an order to release more water. Karnataka sought the Centre’s help to resolve the issue after exhausting all other options.
Mandya erupted in protests, with furious farmers calling for a bandh on September 23. Instead of baring their fangs, the riparian states would do well to resolve the issue through dialogue.
N J Ravi Chander, Bengaluru
Implement law in letter and spirit
The many rape cases everyday exposes the male mindset.
Perpetrators of such crimes are either rich and powerful or belong to the lower strata of society.
We blame the police, the government for the misdeeds of the accused. Do we blame our families for becoming so dangerous to the society? I am really sorry to say that the family and peers has to take the blame as they often fail to inculcate moral values in the child’s upbringing which is the main cause which leads to law and order problem in our society. The rich are powerful and use their resources and contacts to escape from the charges by showing loopholes in our system which is cause of worry.
The laws in our country are strong but we have failed to implement them properly.
Unless the loopholes in our system are plugged and harsh punishments are not meted out to the perpetrators of such heinous crimes, criminals will continue to have a field day.
The situation will not improve if the investigation agencies do not give justice to the rape victim.
Diomedes Pereira, Corlim
