Indo-Canadian lawmaker hosts Diwali celebration at Parliament Hill, raises Hindu flag

Ottawa: A grand Diwali celebration was hosted by Indo-Canadian parliamentarian Chandrasekhar Arya here at Parliament Hill during which he also hoisted the Hindu flag with the sacred symbol 'Aum', the lawmaker said.

Arya, who hails from Karnataka, said that the Diwali celebration organised by him on Sunday saw a great turnout of Indians from several Canadian cities such as Ottawa, the Greater Toronto Area, and Montreal.

"I was pleased to host Diwali on Parliament Hill. We also used this opportunity to raise the flag of the Hindu sacred symbol Aum on Parliament Hill," he said in a post on X.

Parliament Hill is home to Canada's federal government, where representatives from across Canada gather to make laws that affect the lives of every Canadian.

"Great turnout with participants from Ottawa, Greater Toronto Area, Montreal and many other places. The event was supported by 67 Hindu and Indo-Canadian organisations across Canada," the 60-year-old lawmaker said.

"The added pleasure this year was Diwali is also part of the Hindu Heritage Month across Canada. My sincere thanks to all those who attended, volunteers and artists of excellent cultural performances at the event," he added.

The Diwali celebrations were held as bilateral ties between India and Canada are under severe strain following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations in September of 'potential' involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in the Canadian town of Surrey in June. India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.