AAP Supporters Rally In Toronto: Protesting Kejriwal's Arrest Outside Indian Consulate

A demonstration outside the Indian consulate in Toronto was staged on Friday afternoon by supporters of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Canada to protest the arrest of its national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Between 18 and 20 AAP volunteers gathered in front of the consulate, demanding the release of Kejriwal while also shouting slogans.

AAP Supporters in Canada Protest Kejriwal's Arrest

Among them, Sudeep Singla, who has been associated with the party in Canada since 2011, expressed his upset over the arrest, stating, "We knew this (the arrest) is going to happen, but we were still very upset." Despite a snowstorm blanketing the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and Friday being a working day, the protest was organized quickly, and volunteers gathered.

A memorandum was handed over to an official of the consulate, though the protesters were prevented by security from entering the mission's premises. Security measures at the consulate have been enhanced since last summer following threats from pro-Khalistan groups following the killing of separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18 last year.

Singla noted that AAP supporters in Canada were "very agitated," with numerous phone calls exchanged and online meetings held after news of Kejriwal's arrest in Delhi broke.

The memorandum, condemning the "draconian steps" of the Narendra Modi government, was issued by AAP Volunteers of Toronto, Canada, demanding the immediate release of Mr. Kejriwal and other party leaders. Volunteers described the arrest as among the "draconian steps" taken by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government ahead of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Singla mentioned that they were closely monitoring developments in India, and further action could be undertaken depending on the evolving situation there. He suggested that if the circumstances did not change, global protests could be organized by AAP's chapters in North America, as well as other countries like the United Kingdom and Australia, including various cities in Canada.

Kejriwal, arrested on Thursday in a case of alleged money-laundering connected to the 2021-22 Delhi excise policy, has been remanded to Enforcement Director custody by a Delhi court until March 28.