Canada’s new action… Australian channel banned after Jaishankar’s press conference, MEA raised questions

Delhi: The turmoil in Canada over the attack on the temple and targeting of Hindus had not subsided yet. Meanwhile, India has raised questions on another action of the Canadian government. This time Canada blocked the social media account of an Australian media organization ‘Australia Today’. The action came hours after the joint press conference of Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his/her Australian counterpart Penny Wong. In this press conference, Jaishankar raised the issue of Canada accusing India without any evidence. It was told by the Ministry of External Affairs that immediately after Jaishankar’s press conference, Canada banned the Australian channel.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal raised questions on the Canadian government’s blocking/banning of Australia’s leading outlet ‘Australia Today’. he/she said that we have learned that the social media handle, page of an important migrant outlet in Canada has been blocked/banned. This is from this special handle Penny Wong with Foreign Minister Dr. S. This happened just hours after Jaishankar’s press conference was telecast. We were surprised by this action.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that we found this step of Canada strange. This once again exposes Canada’s hypocrisy towards freedom of expression. The External Affairs Minister talked about three things in his/her media programs. First, Canada makes allegations without any specific evidence. Second, unacceptable surveillance of Indian diplomats in Canada. Third, the political space given to anti-India elements in Canada…from this you can conclude why Australia Today channel was blocked by Canada.

The incident comes after a video surfaced of the attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton, which the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and was condemned by his/her Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that we have come to know that this particular media organization, which is an important voice for NRIs. his/her social media handles and pages have been blocked. People in Canada are not able to see them. This happened just hours after the broadcast of the press conference of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Penny Wong.

The Foreign Ministry said these actions once again highlight Canada’s ambivalence toward freedom of expression. Meanwhile, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong also raised the issue of Canada’s allegations that Indian diplomats were involved in violent attacks against Sikh leaders. Wong had said in a press conference with Jaishankar that we have made clear our concern over the allegations under investigation. We have said that we respect the judicial process of Canada.

The incident will further escalate already strained relations between India and Canada. India has repeatedly urged Canada to curb anti-India activities and sentiments. The Ministry of External Affairs also reacted to the Chittagong arson incident in the press conference. India has urged the Bangladesh government to take strict steps to ensure the safety of Hindus.