During an event in Toronto, pro-Khalistan slogans were raised as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the crowd at the Khalsa Day celebration on Sunday.

The loud chants of "Khalistan zindabad" were heard in the presence of Prime Minister Trudeau and opposition leader Pierre Poilievre, amidst a notable increase in anti-India sentiment in Canada recently.

The incident unfolded as Trudeau prepared to take the stage for his address, with the slogans growing louder until he commenced his speech, as captured in a video released by Canada's CPAC TV.

In his speech, Trudeau reassured the Sikh community of Canada that their rights and freedoms would be safeguarded by the government at all costs. The event also saw the attendance of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh, and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, among others.

Khalsa Day, also known as Vaisakhi, marks the celebration of the Sikh New Year.

Trudeau's speech highlighted the strength derived from Canada's diversity and reiterated the government's commitment to defending the rights and freedoms of Canadians of Sikh heritage, numbering nearly 800,000 across the country.

Trudeau highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance security and infrastructure at community centres and places of worship, such as Gurdwaras, emphasising the fundamental right to practice religion freely without intimidation, protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The timing of Trudeau's remarks is notable as diplomatic relations between India and Canada have faced challenges, particularly following the killing of India-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar, labelled a terrorist by India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2020, was shot and killed outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023.

Trudeau had previously stirred controversy in September last year by acknowledging Canadian security agencies' investigations into "credible allegations of a potential link" between agents of the Indian government and Nijjar's killing during a session in the Canadian House of Commons.