KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
13-Sep-2024
Canadian Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre condemned the pro-Khalistan elements' calls for Hindus to leave Canada as 'absolutely unacceptable' during a statement in Toronto on September 13. He criticized Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for dividing communities and emphasized the need for unity based on Canadian values. Poilievre's remarks were welcomed by the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) and the Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce (CHCC), both of which highlighted concerns over rising Hinduphobia in Canada.
08-Sep-2024
Halton Regional Police indicated that the fire, which broke out on September 5 at a property adjacent to the residence of Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, was likely caused by faulty wiring and was not deemed suspicious.
05-Sep-2024
Jagmeet Singh, the leader of Canada’s opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), on September 5 stated in Toronto that an election was now more likely after withdrawing his support for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s minority Liberal government. Singh said his party was ready for an election but would decide on a case-by-case basis whether to support the Liberals, forcing Trudeau to seek new alliances to remain in power until the next federal vote, scheduled for October 2025.
05-Sep-2024
On September 5, a fire broke out at a property adjacent to the residence of Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, causing extensive damage to luxury cars and resulting in losses exceeding CAD 500,000 in Oakville in Ontario province in Canada. Local authorities are investigating whether the fire was a case of mistaken targeting.
04-Sep-2024
On September 4, a 22-year-old Sikh youth, identified as Jashandeep Singh Mann, was killed with a sharp-edged weapon in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Jashandeep, an international student from Punjab, was allegedly attacked by Edgar Whisker, who has been charged with second-degree murder. Jashandeep’s family has called for a thorough investigation into the incident, while efforts are underway to expedite the repatriation of his body.
04-Sep-2024
On September 4, Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau faced a setback when Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), withdrew his party's support for the Liberal government in Ottawa. Singh criticized the Liberals for failing to counter the Conservatives and prioritizing corporate interests. The NDP had backed Trudeau under a 2022 agreement in exchange for increased social spending, but growing voter fatigue appears to have strained the partnership. While this does not immediately threaten Trudeau's position, it complicates his ability to pass legislation and survive confidence votes.
01-Sep-2024
On September 1, gunshots were fired outside Punjabi singer AP Dhillon’s house on Vancouver Island, Canada, with Lawrence Bishnoi's gang claiming responsibility. Indian intelligence agencies are investigating a possible connection to a similar shooting outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan's Mumbai residence in April 2024. Both incidents are being investigated for potential links, as Salman Khan had appeared in a music video with Dhillon.
01-Sep-2024
On the night of September 1, gunshots were fired outside Punjabi singer AP Dhillon's residence on Vancouver Island, Canada. Rohit Godara, a gangster linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi-Goldy Brar gang, took responsibility for the attack in a viral social media post, allegedly in retaliation for Dhillon's collaboration with Bollywood actor Salman Khan. Authorities are investigating the incident and Godara's threats as worries mount over the gang's increasing international reach.
31-Aug-2024
Pro-Khalistan radical groups on August 31 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, displayed floats reading "Beanta Bombed to Death," paying homage to the suicide bomber responsible for killing Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh.
31-Aug-2024
A pro-Khalistan rally was organised on August 31, led by Khalistani terrorist and a close associate of slain Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Inderjeet Singh Gosal in Toronto in Ontario province in Canada.
26-Aug-2024
Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, stated on August 26 that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) had issued a 'duty to warn' notice to Inderjeet Singh Gosal, an aide to Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, about an increased threat to his life in Ontario, Canada. Gosal had taken over the Khalistan campaign after Nijjar's death. Neither the RCMP nor the Ontario police were immediately available for comment, and the office of Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc declined to comment.
26-Aug-2024
United States (US) National Security Advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan on August 26 described the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada last year as an 'assassination' and stated that the US and Canada are cooperating at every level on the case. Sullivan made these comments while attending a Canadian Cabinet retreat in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He also met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the retreat and emphasized that both countries take a firm stance against attempted or actual assassinations.
24-Aug-2024
In an interview with the Canadian daily The National Post, Khalistani separatist Satinder Pal Singh Raju, a close associate of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, claimed that the Indian government was behind the attack on him. Raju was shot at while traveling on Interstate 505 in Yolo County, California, United States (US) on August 11.
20-Aug-2024
Indo-Canadian community groups, including the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) and Canadian Hindu Volunteers (CHV), issued statements condemning pro-Khalistan elements (PKE) for targeting Hindus at the India Day Parade on August 18 in Toronto, Canada. During the event, PKEs shouted slogans such as 'Canadian Hindus go back to India.' These organizations highlighted the persistent Hinduphobia in Canada and urged authorities to take immediate action against such hate-filled acts, which they claim are often overlooked.
18-Aug-2024
The recent protests by Khalistan extremists in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, highlight a troubling trend where extremist agendas are disrupting India-Canada diplomatic and economic relations. The Canadian government's apparent tolerance of these activities, possibly for political gains, risks undermining both nations' interests and emboldening other extremist groups globally. To uphold its stance on human rights and international diplomacy, Canada must take firm action against such extremism.
18-Aug-2024
The India Day Parade, organized by Panorama India and co-hosted with the Indian Consulate, took place in Toronto, Canada, on August 18, attracting nearly 150,000 visitors and featuring the largest Indian flag outside of India. Nearby, Khalistanis gathered to disrupt the event, promoting a 'face-off' between 'Khalistani Sikhs' and 'Canadian Hindus,' leading to a significant security presence at the parade to manage the heightened risk.
18-Aug-2024
A viral video on social media captured the disruption of the India Day Parade on August 18 by dozens of Khalistani extremists shouting 'go back to India' at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto, Canada. The incident follows a similar confrontation in Surrey, Canada, on India's Independence Day, August 15.
15-Aug-2024
According to a report by News 18, one of the accused in the murder case of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was attacked by a fellow inmate inside a detention centre in Surrey, Canada. The individual, who remains unidentified, is reportedly safe and did not sustain serious injuries. Canada's Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) had arrested three Indian nationals—Karan Brar, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karanpreet Singh—on May 3 in connection with Nijjar's killing.
15-Aug-2024
Toronto Police Deputy Chief Robert Johnson on August 15 announced the arrest of 32 individuals and the seizure of over CAD 1 million worth of cocaine and methamphetamine as part of 'Project Foxx,' an investigation into the Jamestown Crips gang in Toronto, Canada. The operation, which began in September 2023, involved searches of 35 homes across various locations, including Toronto, Hamilton, Vaughan, Brampton, Mississauga, Guelph, and Thompson. It led to the confiscation of nine guns, 4.7 kg of cocaine, 6 kg of methamphetamine, and CAD 320,000 in cash. The gang, long-established in Toronto's Rexdale neighbourhood, was using Canada Post to distribute drugs across multiple provinces, including Ontario, Manitoba, and Newfoundland and Labrador.
15-Aug-2024
On August 15, an event where a large Indian crowd had gathered to celebrate India's Independence Day was disrupted by counter-protests from a pro-Khalistan group in the Strawberry Hill area of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. The situation escalated as both groups clashed, prompting police intervention. Despite the confrontation, no injuries were reported, and the police successfully dispersed the crowds without making any arrests.
11-Aug-2024
A report by the Digital Forensics Research and Analytics Center (DFRAC) on the Khalistan Referendum, which entered its fourth year with the latest event held on July 28 at Calgary Municipal Plaza in Alberta, Canada, reveals significant digital activity related to the event. The referendum, organized by the Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), received extensive promotion on social media platforms, particularly X, by Khalistani extremists, including Jagjeet Singh, Gurpreet Sahota, and Sarbraj Singh Kahlon. Pakistani media and accounts also contributed by amplifying the referendum and spreading misinformation. Google Trends data shows a peak in interest on the day of the event, reflecting the growing digital influence of the Khalistan movement.
10-Aug-2024
On August 10, the residence of Raghbir Nijjar, former president of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurudwara and a close associate of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was fired upon in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reported that the incident occurred around 3:10 a.m.
07-Aug-2024
The trial against four Indian nationals accused of murdering pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar—identified as Karanpreet Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, Karan Brar, and Amandeep Singh—resumed on August 7 in Surrey, Canada. The trial was then adjourned until October 1.
05-Aug-2024
A Sikh social media account sparked a humorous debate by suggesting that if the Khalistani movement fails in India, Khalistan could instead be established in Canada. The post, which was quickly deleted, proposed that the Sikh diaspora in Canada could outnumber the native population and claim Canadian resources. This idea, met with mockery and amusement online, highlights the opportunistic nature of some Khalistani supporters and raises concerns about their shifting ambitions. The incident underscores the potential for extremism to disrupt even nations that offer refuge.
05-Aug-2024
The Hindu and Sikh communities in Canada marked the fifth anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370 at a celebratory event on August 5 in Mississauga, Ontario. Over 150 attendees praised the decision, which ended Jammu and Kashmir's (J&K) special status and divided the region into two Union Territories (UTs). Speakers, including Hindu Forum Canada President Rao Yendamuri and Canadian Jewish commentator Daniel Boardman, highlighted the positive impacts of the abrogation and celebrated the Modi government's actions. The event featured prayers, dinner, DJ music, and Punjabi bhangra dances.