India, June 16 -- Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri slammed pro-Khalistan protesters holding demonstrations in Canada ahead of the G7 Summit, terming them as "kiraye ke tattu (protestors for hire)" and asking people not to take them "seriously".

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Puri said that the pro-Khalistani supporters protested "from the neighbouring country (Pakistan) where they get funding". However, when their funding stopped, these supporters turned on Islamabad, he added.

"Yeh jo kiraye ke tattu hain (protestors for hire), don't take them seriously," the union minister added.

Puri's remarks came as Khalistani supporters held massive car rally in parts of Canada ahead of the G7 Summit, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will al...