KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
16-Jun-2025
On June 16, videos surfaced from Canada showing Khalistani extremists using children to desecrate the Indian tricolour and kick portraits of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi. One clip also featured Khalistani supporter Manjinder Singh openly threatening to kill the Prime Minister. Indian Sikh leaders strongly condemned the use of children in hate propaganda, calling it a betrayal of Sikh values. They urged the Canadian government to take serious action against such radical activities.
16-Jun-2025
On June 16, during the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, a group of Khalistani extremists staged a protest to draw attention to the arrival of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The demonstration was relatively subdued and was closely monitored by law enforcement authorities.
16-Jun-2025
British Columbia Premier David Eby on June 16 in Victoria, British Columbia, announced plans to write to Prime Minister Mark Carney, urging the Canadian government to designate the India-based Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist organisation. The announcement comes amid a wave of extortion threats targeting South Asian business owners, particularly in Surrey, where police have linked several incidents to the gang.
15-Jun-2025
Jasdip Singh Jesse, founder and chairman of Sikhs of America, told ANI that the tone of India–Canada relations has shifted under new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and that Khalistani support and influence seen during Justin Trudeau’s tenure will now diminish. He described Trudeau as a “weak prime minister” who pursued an agenda against India, and expressed optimism that, with Carney at the helm, such elements would no longer receive official backing. Jesse also praised Carney’s invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the G7 Summit, calling it a sign of renewed goodwill and a positive reset in bilateral ties.
15-Jun-2025
In an interview with ANI on June 15, New York-based expert on Khalistani terrorism Puneet Sahani warned that the ongoing Khalistani agitation is severely damaging Canada’s international reputation. Sahani cautioned that Canada risks becoming 'a Pakistan of the West' if it fails to confront extremist networks responsible for violent rhetoric and incidents, such as the recent harassment of journalist Mocha Bezirgan in Vancouver. He also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to adopt tougher measures against overseas Khalistan-linked organisations, warning that the new generation of radicalised diaspora activists poses a growing threat to both India–Canada diplomatic relations and regional stability.
14-Jun-2025
On June 14, Dal Khalsa’s Secretary for Political Affairs, Kanwar Pal Singh, addressed a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, expressing concern over Canada’s renewed engagement with India despite allegations of extrajudicial killings and interference. The letter warned against prioritising trade over Sikh rights, citing the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and the alleged surveillance of Canadian Sikh leaders.
14-Jun-2025
Canadian authorities on June 14 confirmed that security arrangements for the G7 Summit are being guided by an 'intelligence-led, threat-informed' approach amid planned protests by pro-Khalistan groups over Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation. The summit is being held in Kananaskis, Alberta. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s (RCMP) Integrated Safety and Security Group (ISSG), responsible for protecting dignitaries, has established an exclusion zone around the summit venue.
13-Jun-2025
Sukhi Chahal, Founder and CEO of The Khalsa Today, emphasised in an interview that fringe elements cannot define India-Canada relations. Speaking ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the G7 Summit in Canada, Chahal described the moment as a potential turning point for both diplomatic ties and the Indian diaspora. He criticised Khalistani groups for misrepresenting the Sikh community and condemned their silence on the rising drug-related crimes involving Punjabi youth. Despite past tensions, he expressed hope for renewed cooperation under Canada’s evolving leadership.
12-Jun-2025
World Sikh Organization spokesperson Balpreet Singh, on June 12 in Ottawa, criticised Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Mark Carney for inviting Indian PM Narendra Modi to the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) Summit, calling on Carney to revoke the invitation. He described the move as insensitive, noting that it coincides with the anniversaries of the June 1984 anti-Sikh violence and the 2023 assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
11-Jun-2025
Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Mark Carney, in an interview with Radio Canada on June 11, defended the invitation extended to Indian PM Narendra Modi for the G7 Summit, stating that India’s presence is essential for addressing global challenges such as energy, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals. Carney acknowledged the ongoing tensions surrounding the Hardeep Singh Nijjar case but affirmed that law enforcement cooperation between the two countries remains active.
11-Jun-2025
Peel Regional Police recently dismantled a transnational organized criminal network trafficking illicit drugs into the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), arresting nine individuals identified as Hao Tommy Huynh, Sajgith Yogendrarajah, Manpreet Singh, Philip Tep, Arvinder Powar, Karamjit Singh, Gurtej Singh, Sartaj Singh, and Shiv Onkar Singh and seized a total of 479 kilograms of bricked cocaine and two illegally loaded semi-automatic handguns from their possession in Toronto, Canada. The investigation, codenamed Project Pelican, began in June 2024 and resulted in multiple drug seizures between February and May 2025.
11-Jun-2025
Canadian investigative journalist Mocha Bezirgan, speaking to ANI on June 11, raised serious concerns about Khalistani extremism in Canada, claiming he was attacked by supporters during a pro-Khalistan rally in Vancouver on June 8—a violent incident he described as 'thuggery' and directly linked to his ongoing reporting on Khalistan-linked activities. Bezirgan warned that some Khalistan supporters are openly glorifying the assassins of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and threatening to ambush and kill Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political influence during the G7 Summit, highlighting a dangerous escalation of extremist rhetoric on Canadian soil.
11-Jun-2025
On June 11, a 57-year-old Punjabi-origin businessman, Satwinder Sharma, was shot dead inside his office on 84 Avenue in Surrey, Canada. The shooting occurred days after two firing incidents at properties of Punjabi businessman Satish Kumar, president of Surrey’s Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, who had refused extortion demands of two million Canadian dollars. On June 11, a Facebook account under the name Goldy Dhillon, linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, claimed responsibility for the attacks on Kumar’s properties before the post was taken down.
10-Jun-2025
In an interview with The Tribune on June 10, Canadian political commentator and podcaster Josh Udall said that Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s visit to the G7 Summit presents a pivotal opportunity to reset India-Canada relations. Udall noted that Canadian PM Mark Carney is primarily focused on trade and may only take action against Khalistani extremism if it is linked to economic incentives. He pointed out the widespread ignorance about the Khalistan issue among Canadians and the dominance of pro-Khalistan narratives in local media. With Trudeau and Jagmeet Singh no longer central to the political landscape, Udall sees a clean slate for diplomacy, though he cautions that any progress will be gradual and strategic.
09-Jun-2025
The upcoming law enforcement dialogue between India and Canada, scheduled to take place on the sidelines of the G-7 Summit from June 15 to 17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, is expected to be dominated by Khalistan-related issues. India is likely to press Canada for action against pro-Khalistan extremist groups operating from Canadian soil, while Canada is expected to raise the killing of Canadian citizen and Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
09-Jun-2025
The banned Khalistani terrorist outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) released a video on June 9 vowing to disrupt Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s visit to Canada for the G-7 Summit, scheduled from June 15 to 17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada. SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun accused PM Modi of transnational terrorism and urged G-7 leaders to hold him accountable for the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The group also announced plans to honour former PM Indira Gandhi’s assassins and other extremists as 'martyrs'. As of now, the Canadian government has not issued an official response to these threats.
08-Jun-2025
According to sources, pro-Khalistan Sikh groups are planning large-scale protests during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Canada for the G7 Summit in Kananaskis from June 15 to 17. The banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), led by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has threatened to 'ambush Modi’s politics' throughout the visit. SFJ, along with other organisations such as Sikh Federation Canada, has demanded that Canada revoke PM Modi’s invitation and impose sanctions on Indian officials. The Canadian government has not yet issued an official response to these protest calls.
08-Jun-2025
On June 8, a video went viral showing a local Canadian man at a Khalistan rally parade, in Vancouver in British Columbia province, in Canada telling demonstrators, "Go home, no one cares," at an event featuring Khalistan and Pakistani flags along with an effigy of Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi.
08-Jun-2025
Independent Canadian investigative journalist Mocha Bezirgan revealed on June 8 that he was assaulted and threatened by a group of Khalistan supporters while covering their rally in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Bezirgan said the extremists snatched his phone and attempted to stop him from recording, describing the incident as “thuggery.” He highlighted that the pro-Khalistan movement, though not widespread within the Sikh community, has raised serious security concerns and strained India-Canada relations.
06-Jun-2025
Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Mark Carney on June 6 extended a formal invitation to Indian PM Narendra Modi to attend the upcoming G7 Summit, scheduled to be held in Kananaskis, Canada. PM Modi confirmed his participation via a post on the social media platform X, putting to rest speculation that Canada was cold-shouldering India. The World Sikh Organization (WSO) of Canada condemned the invitation, citing ongoing concerns over alleged Indian involvement in the 2023 killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.