KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
05-May-2025
On May 5, Indo-Canadian Hindu organisations—including the Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce (CHCC), Coalition of Hindus of North America (COHNA), and Canadian Hindu Volunteers (CHV)—strongly condemned hate speech made during the May 4 Khalsa Day parade in the Greater Toronto Area. A speaker was caught on video calling for the removal of “eight lakh Bhartis” from Canada, amid pro-Khalistan and anti-India banners. The National Alliance of Indo-Canadians urged Prime Minister (PM) Mark Carney to take decisive action against such radical elements.
04-May-2025
A Khalsa Day parade held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on May 4 featured disturbing elements, including a mock jail mounted on a truck displaying effigies of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister (UHM) Amit Shah, and External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar. The parade also showcased banners demanding the deportation of 800,000 Hindus from Canada and carried pro-Khalistan and anti-India imagery.
01-May-2025
In the 2025 Canadian federal election, New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh suffered a significant political defeat, losing his Burnaby Central seat and subsequently announcing his resignation as party chief. The NDP secured only seven seats and 6.3 per cent of the popular vote, falling below the threshold required for official party status in the House of Commons. Meanwhile, the Liberal Party, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, won 169 seats to form a minority government. Singh’s open support for the Khalistani separatist movement attracted widespread criticism and played a role in his political decline. However, despite his departure, the Khalistan movement he espoused continues to persist in Canada, remaining an influential and controversial political force.
29-Apr-2025
Khalistan supporter and Indo-Canadian leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), Jagmeet Singh, suffered a significant political setback on April 29, as he lost his seat in Burnaby Central during the Canadian federal election. Singh broke down in tears during an emotional concession speech in Burnaby, British Columbia. He announced that he would step down as party leader once an interim leader is appointed, marking the end of his tenure, which began in 2017.
29-Apr-2025
On April 29, Mark Carney led the Liberal Party to victory in the Canadian federal election, assuming the premiership along with a host of diplomatic challenges left by Justin Trudeau. Chief among them is the frozen Indo-Canadian relationship, strained by Trudeau’s baseless allegations against India in the Hardeep Singh Nijjar case. Carney, an economist and former central banker, has signalled a pragmatic shift, expressing intent to rebuild ties with India based on shared democratic values and economic interests. With the pro-Khalistani NDP and its leader Jagmeet Singh significantly weakened, Carney now has greater political space to reset Canada’s approach towards India.
29-Apr-2025
A record 22 Punjabis were elected to the House of Commons in the federal elections in Canada on April 29. Among the winners from the Liberal Party are Ruby Sahota (Brampton North), Maninder Sidhu (Brampton East), Amandeep Sohi (Brampton Centre), Anita Anand (Oakville East), Bardish Chagger (Waterloo), Anju Dhillon (Dorval Lachine), Sukh Dhaliwal (Surrey Newton), Iqwinder Singh Gaheer (Mississauga Malton), Randeep Sarai (Surrey Centre), Gurbax Saini (Fleetwood Port Kells), and Param Bains (Richmond East Steveston). From the Conservative Party, the winners include Sukhdeep Kang (Brampton South), Amarjeet Gill (Brampton West), Jasraj Hallan (Calgary East), Dalwinder Gill (Calgary McKnight), Amanpreet Gill (Calgary Skyview), Arpan Khanna (Oxford), Tim Uppal (Edmonton Gateway), Parm Gill (Milton East), Sukhman Gill (Abbotsford South Langley), Jagsharan Singh Mahal (Edmonton Southeast), and Harb Gill (Windsor West).
23-Apr-2025
The Vancouver Police Department (VPD), in a statement issued on April 23, appealed for witnesses in connection with the recent vandalism of the Khalsa Diwan Society Gurdwara on Ross Street in Vancouver, which was defaced with pro-Khalistan graffiti in both English and Punjabi. Surveillance footage captured a vehicle and two individuals near the premises at the time of the incident.
21-Apr-2025
Vancouver Police Department (VPD) on April 21 assured members of the Indo-Canadian community that it is seriously investigating the desecration of the historic Ross Street Gurdwara, managed by the Khalsa Diwan Society (KDS), during a meeting held at the Gurdwara in Vancouver, British Columbia. Among those present were members of the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey, which was also targeted with pro-Khalistan and anti-India graffiti.
20-Apr-2025
Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) from Ottawa Nepean, Chandra Arya, in a post on social media platform X on April 20, urged the Hindu and Sikh communities in Canada to 'rise with urgency' and demand decisive government action against Khalistani extremists, following a series of defacements of religious sites. Arya condemned the recent graffiti at the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey, calling it a 'chilling reminder' of the growing influence of Khalistani extremism. He also referenced similar acts of vandalism at the Khalsa Diwan Society in Vancouver and called for immediate measures to curb extremist activities.
20-Apr-2025
Canada’s Conservative Party leader and Prime Minister (PM) candidate Pierre Poilievre, on April 20, attended the Khalsa Day Parade in Surrey, British Columbia, where he shared the stage with designated Khalistani terrorist Santokh Singh Khela — the Jathedar of the banned terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and a convict in the Air India Flight 112 bombing plot. During the event, Khela, seen wielding an axe, pledged to continue the fight for Khalistan and to fulfil the separatist agenda of slain Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
20-Apr-2025
The Lakshmi Narayan Mandir was defaced with pro-Khalistan graffiti in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, on April 20. This marked the third instance of the temple being targeted in such an act of vandalism. Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman reported that two individuals spray-painted the temple and stole a security camera around 3 a.m. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with the Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce condemning it as an act of hate.
19-Apr-2025
On April 19, over 550,000 people participated in the annual Khalsa Day Vaisakhi Parade in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, which was marked by the display of Khalistan flags, anti-India visuals, and provocative posters targeting Indian political leaders, including Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister (UHM) Amit Shah, and External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar. The event prominently featured separatist slogans, calls for a 'Khalistan Referendum,' and acts of desecration against the Indian national flag.
19-Apr-2025
On April 19, graffiti reading "Khalistan Zindabad" was discovered at the Ross Street Sikh Temple in Vancouver, British Columbia, prompting an investigation by the Vancouver Police. The Khalsa Diwan Society, which manages the temple, attributed the vandalism to a small group of Khalistani extremists. Condemning the act as an attempt to spread fear and division within the Canadian Sikh community, the society urged unity against extremism.
17-Apr-2025
On April 17, 21-year-old Harsimrat Randhawa, a student from Tarn Taran, Punjab, was tragically killed after being struck by a stray bullet during a shooting incident in Hamilton, Canada. The Indian consulate in Toronto expressed condolences and assured support to her family.
11-Apr-2025
According to a recent report by The Pioneer, sections of the Sikh community in Brampton, Canada, have alleged ongoing foreign interference, particularly from the Indian government. They claim that disinformation campaigns and diaspora networks are being used to influence local politics, contributing to growing polarization—especially following the 2023 killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The report also highlights concerns over China's alleged involvement in manipulating voter sentiments and political donations. Community members are now calling for greater transparency and stronger safeguards to uphold Canada's democratic processes against external influence.
05-Apr-2025
Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Mark Carney on April 5 visited the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Toronto to mark Ram Navami, accompanied by Indo-Canadian Cabinet Minister Anita Anand, amid campaigning for the April 28 federal elections.
03-Apr-2025
Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) on April 3 announced an investigation into the vandalism of the Sri Krishna Brundavana Temple in Georgetown, Ontario. A temple congregant termed it a hate crime, while the Hindu Canadian Foundation linked the act to rising extremism targeting Hindu communities. Similar attacks on temples have occurred across Canada in recent years.
02-Apr-2025
Canada’s opposition Conservative Party on April 2 dropped two Indo-Canadian candidates, Lourence Singh and Don Patel, over controversial past remarks and social media activity. Lourence Singh was removed for defending China’s Xinjiang policies during a 2021 podcast, while Don Patel was disqualified for endorsing inflammatory posts advocating the deportation of pro-Khalistan elements. These developments follow the earlier disqualification of Chandra Arya by the Liberal Party.
30-Mar-2025
On March 30, the Sri Krishna Brundavana Temple in Georgetown, Ontario, Canada, was vandalised. Security footage captured two young white males damaging a sign at the temple around 1:10 am.
29-Mar-2025
The Sikh Federation (Canada) recently launched a nationwide grassroots campaign ahead of Canada's April 28, 2025, federal election to inform voters about candidates' positions on key Sikh issues. The initiative involves distributing detailed questionnaires across more than 30 decisive ridings, evaluating policies related to anti-Sikh hate, civil liberties, foreign interference, and accountability for what Moninder Singh, National Spokesperson of the Sikh Federation, describes as ‘Indian-orchestrated’ violence in Canada. The responses will be compiled into the 2025 Election Guide, aimed at empowering the Sikh electorate. The Federation is also collaborating with Gurdwaras and Sikh events to hold candidates accountable for their positions.
27-Mar-2025
On March 27, police sources confirmed to Radio-Canada that Canada’s most wanted fugitive, Dave “Pik” Turmel, was recently arrested in Italy. Turmel, the leader of the Blood Family Mafia (BFM), had been on the run for over a year and was wanted for multiple charges, including drug trafficking and armed assault. Interpol had issued a red notice for his arrest, and a reward of up to USD 250,000 was offered for information leading to his capture.
26-Mar-2025
A Globe and Mail report on March 26 linked the revocation of Indo-Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) Chandra Arya’s candidacy for the upcoming federal election to alleged foreign interference concerns involving India. However, Arya countered that the Liberal Party dropped him due to his strong stance against Khalistani extremism. He defended his meetings with Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that such engagements were routine for MPs.
25-Mar-2025
Mark Carney’s appointment as Canada’s Prime Minister marks a significant political shift, coming amid rising tensions over the Khalistan issue. A former Governor of the Bank of Canada, Carney replaces Justin Trudeau, whose handling of the Sikh separatist movement strained Canada-India relations. The Khalistan movement, advocating for an independent Sikh state, remains a divisive issue within Canada’s large South Asian community. Known for his pragmatic approach, Carney is expected to balance Canada’s multicultural commitments while prioritizing diplomatic and economic ties with India. His response to this issue will play a crucial role in shaping his legacy and Canada’s foreign relations.
23-Mar-2025
Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Mark Carney announced snap elections for April 28, 2025, aiming to stabilize the country amid economic uncertainty and rising tensions with the United States under President Donald Trump. His predecessor, Justin Trudeau, saw his leadership decline due to ethics scandals, economic struggles, and deteriorating Indo-Canadian relations. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre presents a strong challenge, while smaller parties like the New Democratic Party (NDP) and Greens struggle for relevance. India hopes for a leadership that prioritizes diplomacy over divisive politics, fostering a renewed and respectful partnership between the two nations.
20-Mar-2025
On March 20, ahead of the Canadian parliamentary elections, the Liberal Party revoked the candidacy of Member of Parliament (MP) Chandra Arya for the Nepean constituency. On March 21, Arya, who has consistently spoken against Khalistani elements in Canada, shared a letter stating that the decision followed a 'thorough review' of his eligibility by the party’s National Campaign Co-Chair, Andrew Bevan. Previously, the party had also rejected his bid for leadership. Arya has been targeted by Khalistani groups, including U.S.-based Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who called for an investigation into him for opposing the movement and accused him of being an Indian government mouthpiece.