New Delhi, Feb 17 (UNI) Amid Canadian PM Justin Trudeau invoking emergency powers to quell the truckers’ strike, though he had backed the farmers’ protest in India, the Indian government said today it has noted that the Canadian government has “actually invoked” the emergency act. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, in the media briefing, said: “We have been following, and we are following developments in Canada. “In the context of the blockades, and the protests, we have noted that the Government of Canada actually invoked the emergency act. Let me leave it at that on that issue,” he said. He then cited the Indian High Commission in Ottawa’s advisory in the wake of the truckers’ strike in Canada. He said that on Feb 8 the Indian High Commission issued an advisory for Indian nationals in Canada and Indians travelling to Canada, asking them to exercise caution, to remain alert, avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place, and monitor the evolving situation. “The High Commission continues to look at developments very closely and whatever is needed we will take further action,” he added. On Monday, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau invoked emergency powers to quell the protests by truck drivers and others who have paralyzed Ottawa and blocked border crossings in anger over the country’s Covid-19 restrictions. However, in contrast, in December 2020 Trudeau had backed the farmers’ protest in India, and said “Canada will always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protesters.” Meanwhile, the Canada India Global Forum’s (CIGF) British Columbia chapter has voiced concern over the imposition of emergency by Trudeau. They have called for “democratic” means to be used to handle the crisis rather than imposing “draconian laws”. “We are pained to witness recent developments in Canada relating to the use of draconian powers against the “Freedom Convoy 2022” protesters,” the statement said. The statement added, “At this time, we recall the agitation by farmers in India in 2021, and the commendable way in which the Government of India, under Prime Minister Modi, engaged with them and resolved all issues through democratic and peaceful means.” Recalling, “the gratuitous advice offered by Prime Minister Trudeau to the Government of India on how to handle those protests. Advice, sadly, that he has not followed himself’ the forum urged the Canadian Prime Minister to “follow the example of (Indian) Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi in handling peaceful protests through democratic means”.
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