Canada's Trudeau calls Diljit 'a guy from Punjab', not Indian; faces backlash. Not the first time...

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who recently stopped by at the Rogers Centre in Toronto where Diljit Dosanjh was due to perform, triggered severe backlash on social media for calling the singer 'Punjabi' instead of Indian.

Trudeau, after paying a visit to Diljit's concert venue, took to his official social media handles and shared a post hailing the singer for scripting history and selling out stadiums.

"Stopped by the Rogers Centre to wish Diljit Dosanjh good luck before his show," the Canadian prime minister said.

"Canada is a great country — one where a guy from Punjab can make history and sell out stadiums. Diversity isn’t just our strength. It’s a super power," he added.

His post did not go well with some netizens who wanted Trudeau to call Diljit "a guy from India".

A user commented on the post saying, "He is an INDIAN," while another quipped, "Dosanjh is an Indian. Why are you afraid to say it?"

Also read: Canadian PM Trudeau joins Diljit Dosanjh on stage in Toronto

Trudeau under fire for attending Khalsa Day event

Earlier in April, the Canadian prime minister faced intense criticism for attending an event where pro-Khalistan slogans were raised.

India had then issued a strong response, summoning the Canadian deputy high commissioner to register a stern protest over the raising of 'Khalistan' slogans at the event that took place in Toronto.

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the country's deep concern and strong protest was conveyed to Ottawa.

"The government of India's deep concern and strong protest was conveyed at such disturbing actions being allowed to continue unchecked at the event. This illustrates once again the political space that has been given in Canada to separatism, extremism and violence," said the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement.

The Trudeau government has been repeatedly slammed by the ministry in the past for its failure to curb the activities of pro-Khalistan elements. 

“This illustrates once again the political space that has been given in Canada to separatism, extremism and violence. Their continued expressions not only impact India-Canada relations but also encourage a climate of violence and criminality in Canada to the detriment of its own citizens,” the statement said.

Trudeau as well as opposition leader Pierre Poilievre had attended the Khalsa Day celebrations in Toronto in April where loud chants of "Khalistan Zindabad" were raised.

Also read: Kanishka terror attack anniversary: India says justice awaited; Trudeau silent on perpetrators

India-Canada diplomatic rift

The diplomatic relations between India and Canada are at an all-time low after Trudeau accused New Delhi of killing Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023. 

However, India has strongly rejected the allegations calling them "baseless" and "absurd".

Nijjar, declared a terrorist by Indian authorities, was shot dead outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on the evening of June 18, 2023.

He was designated a terrorist by the National Investigation Agency in the year 2020.

(With inputs from agencies)