In 2020, at the end of November, when farmers mostly from Punjab, Haryana and UP blocked roads outside Delhi, Justin Trudeau supported them. He said “Let me remind you, Canada will always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protesters. We believe in the process of dialogue. We’ve reached out through multiple means to the Indian authorities to highlight our concerns. This is a moment for all of us to pull together.”
After 14 months Justin Trudeau was a different man. He was not there to defend the rights of peaceful protesters. He did not believe in the process of dialogue. He wanted truckers’ protest to end and Freedom Convoy to move out of Ottawa. Truckers were against vaccine mandates. Freedom Convoy had entered Ottawa on 29/1/2022.
He put pressure on GoFundMe not to give money donated for Freedom Convoy. It had collected over 10 million dollars. Then truckers started collecting through GiveSendGo. There was pressure on it too. Police took away fuel from trucks.
On 14/2/2022 Justin Trudeau invoked Emergencies Act. This was second time in Canada’s history such an Act was invoked during peaceful time. Pierre Elliott Trudeau, father of Justin Trudeau, invoked War Measures Act in 1970 during October Crisis. It was replaced by Public Order (Temporary Measures) Act on 1/12/1970. Like father, like son.
Justin Trudeau’s acts have shown his hypocrisy, duplicity and double standards. Many Western politicians have similar character. For them blockade of roads in India is peaceful protest. When in happens in Canada it is illegal. Justin Trudeau had supported violent protests by Black Lives Matter in USA. He did not act against arsonists who set fire to churches in Canada. He is against peaceful protestors and wants to freeze their bank accounts.
Narendra Modi could have reciprocated to Justin Trudeau with same words. He has not said anything about Freedom Convoy, perhaps busy with elections.
India is lax in dealing with protestors who block roads, stop trains and do many illegal acts which cause misery to millions. India should act tough on such criminals. When Western politicians offer unsolicited advice, India should tell them to shut up and mind their own business.
Excellent take on this important subject.I totally agree with you.
But any strict action by the authorities is bound to end in the antinationals maligning the governmrnt.
What then?
Invoke National Security Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against them.