Delhi slams ‘absurd' Trudeau claims over Sikh's killing
By SARWAR ALAMSep 21, 2023
CANADIAN prime minister Justin Trudeau’s accusation on Tuesday (19) that the Indian government was behind the killing of a Sikh leader in Canada led to an escalating war-of-words and diplomats being ejected from both countries.
India described as “absurd” Trudeau’s claims that “credible allegations” linked Indian agents to the June slaying of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He was gunned down on June 18 in Surrey, a suburb of Vancouver, home to a large Sikh community.
Nijjar was accused by New Delhi of carrying out terrorist attacks in India, including being part of a plan to murder a Hindu priest in Punjab – charges he denied.
The 45-year-old was an activist campaigning for the establishment of Khalistan, an independent Sikh state to be carved out of part of northern India and perhaps part of Pakistan. He had been organising an unofficial referendum for Khalistan at the time of his death.
New Delhi insisted it had nothing to do with the killing, adding that prime minister Narendra Modi had "completely rejected" the accusation when raised privately by Trudeau. "Allegations of Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
"We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to rule of law."
Trudeau made the allegations public before an emergency session of parliament, calling in the "strongest possible terms" for the Indian government to cooperate in clearing up the matter.
"The involvement of any foreign government in the murder of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty," he said.
Trudeau later told the media that Canada would always defend "freedom of expression, freedom of conscience and freedom of peaceful protest" while acting against hatred.
Foreign minister Melanie Joly then announced the expulsion of the local head of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India's foreign intelligence agency.
India responded by summoning Canada's High Commissioner to the foreign ministry on Tuesday before announcing a reciprocal expulsion of an unnamed top Canadian diplomat.
That decision reflected the "growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities", the ministry said.
Canada has the largest population of Sikhs globally outside of India, with some groups seeking the creation ofKhalistan (Pic credit: REUTERS/Chris Helgren)
Candida’s public safety minister Dominic LeBlanc said the country’s national security advisor and the head of Canada’s spy service had travelled to India to meet their counterparts and to confront the Indian intelligence agencies with the allegations. He called it an active homicide investigation led by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Trudeau added his government has been working closely with Canada’s allies on the case, saying he had raised it with US president Joe Biden and British prime minister Rishi Sunak.
The United States and Australia expressed "deep concern" over Canada’s accusations, while Britain said it was in close touch with its Canadian partners about the "serious allegations".
Trudeau was also supported by Canada’s opposition parties, with The New Democratic party leader, Jagmeet Singh, who is Sikh, saying there must be consequences for the assassination.
“To hear the prime minister of Canada corroborate a potential link between a murder of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil by a foreign government is something I could never have imagined,” he said. “We will ensure that no rock is unturned, that every possible link is examined.”
The Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, said the allegations, if true, “represent an outrageous affront to Canada”, adding that citizens should be free from extrajudicial killings. He added: “Canadians deserve to be protected on Canadian soil. We call on the Indian government to act with utmost transparency as authorities investigate this murder, because the truth must come out.”
The High Commission of Canada in New Delhi has seen protests against Justin Trudeau and his government (ANI Photo)
Canada has the largest population of Sikhs globally outside of India, and New Delhi has long been unhappy with Canada's handling of Sikh separatist activists linked to an independent Sikh homeland in Punjab, India.
The creation of Khalistan has been sought for decades. Punjab, which is 58 per cent Sikh and 39 per cent Hindu, was rocked by a violent separatist movement in the 1980s and early 1990s, in which thousands died before it was suppressed by tough security action.
However, India has been wary of any revival, with a particular focus on small groups of Sikhs in Australia, Britain, Canada and the US, who support the separatist demand and occasionally stage protests outside its embassies.
Nijjar is the third prominent Sikh figure to have died suddenly in recent months - including one death the UK.
Avtar Singh Khanda, reportedly the head of the Khalistan Liberation Force, died in Birmingham in June.
According to the BBC, Khanda’s death occurred in what has been described as “mysterious circumstances” that some believe could be related to poisoning.
A third man, Paramjit Singh Panjwar, was shot dead in May in Lahore, the capital of Pakistan’s Punjab province.
Shruti Kapila, professor of History and Politics at the University of Cambridge, told BBC’s Today programme the campaign for Khalistan is now an issue fought for outside of India.
“It’s important to state that politics in the Indian Punjab have really moved on and that this separatist issue now seems much more extraterritorial and in places where there is a Sikh community such as in Canada,” Kapila said.
“It’s the diasporas that are seeking it rather than the Sikhs in Punjab,” the professor noted. “Indian Punjab now has a completely different set of politics and the issue longer commands either a popular, let alone, militant acceptance in the heartland.”
‘Delhi sensitive’ to handling of Sikh protests
INDIA has been particularly sensitive to Sikh protesters in Canada with some Indian analysts saying Ottawa does not stop them as Sikhs are a politically influential group there.
In June, India criticised Canada for permitting a float in a parade depicting the 1984 assassination of prime minister Indira Gandhi by her bodyguards, perceived to be glorification of violence by Sikh separatists.
Tensions between India and Canada have been simmering over the unsolved slaying of Nijjar, and Indian unhappiness over how Ottawa has handled Sikh separatists.
Jocelyn Coulon, a former adviser to Trudeau who is now an independent researcher, said Canada's accusation would have "the effect of a bomb around the world".
India will join "the group of nations that assassinate political opponents" abroad, much as Saudi Arabia orchestrated the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey in 2018, said Coulon.
Trudeau was in New Delhi last week for the G20 summit and met Modi privately, but his visit was a testament to the strained ties between their countries. Modi did not hold a two-way meeting with Trudeau at the G20 summit, despite similar meetings with other world leaders.
Days earlier, metro stations in the Indian capital were vandalised with pro-Khalistan graffiti.
Modi expressed "strong concerns about continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada" during a meeting with Trudeau, according to an Indian government statement.
India has often complained about activities of the Sikh diaspora abroad, particularly in Canada, which New Delhi believes could revive a Sikh separatist movement.
India’s ministry of external affairs (MEA) said these "unsubstantiated" allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided "shelter in Canada and continue to threaten India's sovereignty and territorial integrity".
"The inaction of the Canadian Government on this matter has been a long-standing and continuing concern," it said.
"The space given in Canada to a range of illegal activities including murders, human trafficking and organised crime is not new.
"We reject any attempts to connect the Government of India to such developments," it said.
"We urge the Government of Canada to take prompt and effective legal action against all anti-India elements operating from their soil," it added.
Canada recently suspended negotiations for a free-trade agreement with India.
Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng postponed a trade mission to India planned for October. Both countries said they paused trade talks after expressing earlier in 2023 they aimed to seal an initial trade deal this year.
Bilateral commercial relations between the two countries are worth $100 billion (£80.6bn), which includes $70 bn (£56.4bn) of Canadian portfolio investment, according to Indian figures.
The Cannes Film Festival 2025 has already delivered one of its most talked-about moments: a nine-minute standing ovation for Die My Love, a dark and intimate drama led by Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson.
Directed by Scotland’s Lynne Ramsay, the film is in the running for the Palme d'Or and has made a powerful impression on critics and festivalgoers alike. Based on Ariana Harwicz’s novel of the same name, the story delves into the emotional turmoil of a new mother battling postpartum depression and creeping psychosis.
Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson reunite on the red carpet for their Cannes premiere Getty Images
Jennifer Lawrence plays Grace, a woman unravelling at the seams, while Pattinson stars opposite her as Jackson, her husband caught in the emotional crossfire. LaKeith Stanfield also delivers a strong performance in a key supporting role.
The film premiered on 17 May to an overwhelming reception. Ramsay, visibly emotional, thanked her cast on stage, saying, “I’m so overwhelmed. Thanks to these amazing actors. I’ve got to get it together, I’ll see you in a minute.” Even Stanfield was seen wiping away tears, moved by the reaction from the crowd.
Die My Love cast received extended applause from the Cannes audienceGetty Images
Produced by Lawrence under her banner Excellent Cadaver, alongside Justine Ciarrocchi, Martin Scorsese, and others, the film marks her return to serious drama after her 2023 comedy No Hard Feelings. This is also her first appearance at Cannes since becoming a mother for the second time earlier this year.
There was a lighter moment on the red carpet too when Pattinson accidentally stepped on Lawrence’s trailing gown, leading to shared laughter and a quick apology from the actor.
A red carpet moment as Robert Pattinson shares a laugh with Jennifer LawrenceGetty Images
However, the night wasn’t without mishaps. A palm tree fell on a producer during the festivities, causing injury and leading to a temporary shutdown of part of the Croisette.
Despite the chaos, Die My Love has emerged as a standout at Cannes this year, both for its raw subject matter and strong performances. With such a response, the film is now being seen as a serious contender not only for the Palme d’Or but also for the upcoming awards season. A theatrical or streaming release date is yet to be announced.
The buzz around Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Marvel’s next big web-slinging adventure, is growing louder, and it’s bringing some fresh faces and familiar names into the spotlight. Slated for release on 31 July 2026, the film might see new villains step into the fray and introduce a potential future hero from an alternate timeline.
At a recent Disney consumer products event, fans got more than they bargained for. An Instagram post from someone who reportedly attended the presentation briefly revealed potential details about Brand New Day before being deleted. Still, it didn’t go unnoticed. Several outlets quickly shared what they found: a possible villain trio consisting of Scorpion, Boomerang, and Tombstone. While these characters have shown up before mainly in animated versions like Into the Spider-Verse, this would be their first appearance in the current live-action storyline.
Sadie Sink’s role may link to Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man timelineGetty Images
But it’s not just the bad guys who are stirring excitement.
A major shift in fan theories came after entertainment insider John Rocha spoke on The Hot Mic podcast. According to him, Sadie Sink, best known for her breakout role in Stranger Things, is being considered for the role of Mayday Parker, better known in the comics as Spider-Girl. She’s the daughter of Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson, and depending on the timeline, that might link her not to Tom Holland’s Peter, but to Tobey Maguire’s version of the character.
This theory aligns with Tobey’s lines in No Way Home, where he hints at his ongoing relationship with MJ, suggesting a longer-term future together. Mayday, as a character, first appeared in Marvel’s What If...? comics and later developed her own identity as a web-slinging hero. While she had a baby cameo in Across the Spider-Verse, this would be her first live-action appearance, if confirmed.
Director Destin Daniel Cretton is leading the project, which is expected to begin filming once Tom Holland wraps up his current commitments. Until Marvel officially opens up about the plot or cast, fans are holding on to every leak and insider hint, piecing together what could be the next evolution in the Spider-Man legacy with new enemies, a grown-up Peter, and maybe even the rise of his daughter.
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Anti-government protesters display Bangladesh’s national flag at Sheikh Hasina’s palace in Dhaka. (Photo: Getty Images)
TWO documentaries on the July 2024 pro-democracy protests in Bangladesh were screened at the House of Commons on 20 May. The event was hosted by Apsana Begum MP, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Bangladesh, at Portcullis House.
The screening featured the international premiere of Deepak Kumar Goswami Speaking, a 21-minute film narrated by a member of Bangladesh’s Hindu minority. It covers the student-led protests and subsequent state crackdown, also examining global financial systems linked to authoritarian regimes.
“This story is not just about one country. It’s about the global systems that allow authoritarian regimes to suppress dissent, launder wealth, and manipulate international opinion — and what happens when those systems begin to unravel,” said director Deepak Kumar Goswami.
An excerpt from July Women was also shown, presenting first-hand testimonies from two women involved in the protests.
The panel discussion, chaired by Apsana Begum MP, included photographer Shahidul Alam, writer Farrukh Dhondy, protest participant Nowshin Noor, and anthropologist Professor Nayanika Mookherjee.
The event follows a UN OHCHR report that found credible evidence of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and torture during the 2024 protests under the former Awami League government.
“These films are more than documentation. By giving these voices a platform, we reaffirm the need for a worldwide commitment to human rights, democracy, and justice globally. The world must stand with the people of Bangladesh as they navigate the path to accountability and true democratic reform,” said Apsana Begum MP.
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Simi Garewal and Sharmila Tagore return to the Cannes stage 55 years after the film’s release
At the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, a quiet but powerful celebration of Indian cinema took place. A newly restored 4K version of Aranyer Din Ratri, Satyajit Ray’s 1970 Bengali film was screened under the Cannes Classics section and received a full standing ovation. Among those present were the film’s lead actors, Sharmila Tagore and Simi Garewal, both of whom played key roles in the original.
Sharmila Tagore, dressed in a green saree, stepped onto the stage after the screening, met with thunderous applause and an emotional crowd. Her daughter, Saba Ali Khan, who attended the event alongside her, captured the moment on video and shared it online with simple pride. Soha Ali Khan, too, posted a heartfelt “That’s my Amma,” sharing the personal joy of seeing her mother honoured on an international platform.
Originally based on Sunil Gangopadhyay’s novel, Aranyer Din Ratri follows four middle-class men from Kolkata who head to the forests of Palamau seeking escape from city life. What begins as a carefree getaway slowly turns into a subtle exploration of class, loneliness, and self-awareness. Sharmila plays Aparna, a composed and observant city woman, while Simi portrays Duli, a tribal girl with a strong presence.
The film was presented by Wes Anderson, a long-time admirer of Satyajit Ray. He introduced the screening and stood alongside the cast and the restoration team. The project was spearheaded by Martin Scorsese’s The Film Foundation through the World Cinema Project, in collaboration with Shivendra Singh Dungarpur’s Film Heritage Foundation, Janus Films, and Criterion Collection, with support from the Golden Globe Foundation.
This return to Cannes marked a full-circle moment for Sharmila Tagore, who had previously walked the red carpet in 2009 as part of the festival jury. Her earlier collaboration with Ray, Devi, had once been in the running for the Palme d’Or.
Fifty-five years since its release, Aranyer Din Ratri has aged like a quiet classic with its themes still relevant. The Cannes tribute was like celebrating Ray’s lasting impact in world cinema, and of the enduring grace of actors like Sharmila Tagore and Simi Garewal who helped bring it to life.
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Ram Gopal Varma under fire for now deleted tweet on Kiara Advani
Ram Gopal Varma has once again found himself in hot water, this time for a tweet that many felt crossed the line. Shortly after the War 2 teaser dropped online, the filmmaker shared a still of Kiara Advani in a bikini, pairing it with a suggestive caption that sparked outrage across social media. The tweet did not last long since it was quietly taken down after users slammed him for being disrespectful and objectifying the actress.
The teaser, released on Jr NTR’s birthday, introduced fans to a high-stakes face-off between Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, with Kiara Advani stepping in as the leading lady. While the internet had plenty to say about the slick action sequences and overuse of CGI, Kiara’s bikini scene grabbed its own share of attention, some celebratory, some critical.
But Varma’s take was not just a fan reaction. His remark, which implied the female character was a prize to be won by the male leads, was seen as distasteful and reductive. Screenshots of the post began circulating even after the tweet was deleted, sparking intense discussions online. On Reddit and X, users called him out, some even pointing to his past behaviour. Comments ranged from “OG tharki” to “Can you imagine what he says in private if this is what he’s tweeting publicly?”
This is not the first time Varma has drawn criticism for his online conduct. But many now feel he has veered from being provocative to being downright inappropriate.
Meanwhile, Kiara took a far more upbeat approach to the teaser. On Instagram, she listed the many “firsts” that War 2 represents for her: first YRF project, first action film, first time working with Ayan Mukerji, and her first bikini shot. Her excitement, in fact, stood in stark contrast to the backlash around Varma’s post.
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War 2, set for release on 14 August 2025, is the latest in YRF’s spy universe. Directed by Ayan Mukerji, it stars Hrithik Roshan reprising his role as Kabir, with Jr NTR making his Bollywood debut. Kiara’s presence has already made waves, but not in the way Varma chose to highlight.