New Delhi: As India and Canada stand against each other in its biggest diplomatic row, former Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Verma narrated how he had escaped a Khalistani attack in Canada while he was there. The former Indian envoy shared a terrifying moment when Khalistanis attacked him with a sword in Alberta while he was along with his wife.
‘Sword Came Around 2-2.5 Inches Close to My Body’
In an exclusive interview with ANI, Sanjay Verma, the Indian envoy to Canada, revealed chilling details of the time when he escaped a Khalistani attack and how a sword came 2-2.5 inches close to his body. In his words, “Yes, a couple of times they came very close to bodily harm… They were carrying a sword; it was not a Kirpan… When I was in Alberta, a sword came around 2-2.5 inches close to my body… When I was in Alberta, my wife was also with me…”
How Indian Envoy Sanjay Verma Escaped Khalistani Attack
Narrating how he escaped a Khalistani attack, Sanjay Verma said, “I was in a city in Alberta. There, the Indians had a dinner party that also included cultural programs, where it was expected that I would meet the Indians. It was a business event with many businessmen from Canada present. The main focus was on how we could advance the business relationship and what new sectors we could explore. This was in a convention hall. Outside, around 150 people were there doing bad things in the name of Khalistan.”
He further said, “My wife was accompanying me. As I was passing by, there was a sword. And it was not a Kirpan. They may not know the difference between a sword and a Kirpan, but we Indians, who have seen Sikhism and are very patriotic, know the difference between a sword and a Kirpan. So this was a sword that came about 2 to 2.5 inches away from my body.”
Local Police Launched Probe; Sanjay Verma Reveals Canada’s Assessment
Sanjay Verma also told ANI how the local police took action right after the incident and held an interrogation, but the envoy was not informed about the final results. The former Indian High Commissioner said that they had also informed Global Affairs Canada about the incident, which also believed that it was not right.
Regarding Canada’s assessment, Sanjay Verma said, “Let’s look at their own assessment. The very fact that I was given a close protection detail from the RCMP and that my two consul generals were given the same, also shows that their assessment was that we could be bodily harmed. I’m talking about their assessment. So there are a couple of such incidents. But my main purpose is that the relationship between the two countries should be restored.”
‘Indo-Canadians Threatened by Khalistani Goons’
Sanjay Verma has also claimed that Indo-Canadians have been constantly threatened by ‘Khalistani goons’ and that their places of worship were also vandalized. He said, “Indo-Canadians are being threatened by the hooligans who are Khalistani goons. They are Khalistani terrorists and extremists. They infiltrate our peaceful Indo-Canadian society and threaten them. They go to our places of worship and vandalize them. If that is being tolerated by the system, particularly the present system, then how can you assure them of normalcy? Someone will have to sit down and look at it. Why is it unfair for those Indo-Canadians who believe in a certain religion, in a certain faith, and want to live peacefully and contribute to the growth and development of Canada to be threatened by a handful of goons? That has to be addressed.”
