KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
02-Aug-2024
According to a recent poll by the agency Leger for the Association of Canadian Studies, 60 percent of Canadians now believe there are “too many” immigrants, marking a notable increase from previous years. This shift in sentiment, which has risen from 35 percent in March 2019, has coincided with a rise in xenophobia, particularly targeting Indian and Sikh communities. The increase in racist incidents, including physical attacks and online harassment, reflects broader concerns over immigration and cost-of-living issues. Experts warn that this backlash, driven by discontent with government policies, risks fostering a climate of open racism.
02-Aug-2024
A Pakistani-origin man allegedly linked to Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and anti-India elements, identified as Rahat Rao, was set on fire near the 10200 block of City Parkway in Surrey, Canada, on August 2. Rao, who has been associated with pro-Khalistan activities and drug trafficking, is suspected of playing a role in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, whom Rao and Tariq Kiyani reportedly targeted due to competition in the drug trade.
01-Aug-2024
Canadian law enforcement, specifically the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s (RCMP) South Community Response Unit (SCRU), seized several firearms on August 1 from a residential property linked to a pro-Khalistan activist in Surrey, British Columbia. This action followed a video circulating online that showed people with weapons at a pre-wedding event, which was connected to Harjit Singh Pattar, an associate of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and the secessionist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ).
01-Aug-2024
According to sources, the recently held Khalistan Referendum in Calgary, Canada, fell flat, attracting only a few hundred attendees and highlighting the movement's lack of support. This failure underscored the Sikh community's rejection of extremism and their commitment to peace and unity. The referendum's poor turnout revealed the movement's desperate bid for relevance, disproving the claims of its proponents.
31-Jul-2024
According to a report by Bloomberg, Indian and Canadian intelligence officers have been holding multiple meetings and collaborating after five men were arrested near Brampton, Canada, on firearms charges on November 3, 2023. The arrests came a day before the wedding of a prominent Sikh leader's son, raising concerns that the men might have been targeting key attendees, including Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistani terrorist and the chief of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ).
28-Jul-2024
According to Pakistani sources, on July 28, over 53,000 Sikhs participated in the Khalistan Referendum organized by the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), at the Municipal Plaza in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The event was dedicated to Khalistani terrorist Talwinder Singh Parmar, the mastermind behind the 1985 Air India bombings. SFJ leader and Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in his speech at the rally, accused Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi of targeting Sikhs. He promised to pursue their homeland through voting and warned of "Khalsai Insaf" (Khalsai Justice), along with chants of “Delhi Banega Khalistan.”
28-Jul-2024
Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on July 28, while addressing the crowd at the venue of the Khalistan referendum at the Municipal Plaza in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, vowed to escalate the pro-Khalistan campaign on India's Independence Day (August 15). He claimed their campaign would “bombard” India with pro-Khalistani propaganda, impacting the country from the Red Fort to Ranchi. He also called for the Canadian prosecution of Indian diplomats for their alleged involvement in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
28-Jul-2024
On July 28, at the Khalistan Referendum held at the Municipal Plaza in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Khalistan supporters denigrated India while carrying Khalistan flags and chanting slogans like "Kill India" as they waited to vote on a separate Sikh state.
28-Jul-2024
According to reports, thousands attended the Khalistan referendum organized by the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) at the Municipal Plaza in Calgary, Alberta province, Canada, on July 28. The voting, supervised by the Punjab Referendum Commission, began with Sikh prayers.
27-Jul-2024
A Khalistan referendum organized by the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) is set to take place on July 28 at a municipal plaza in Calgary, Alberta province, Canada. Calgary’s Indo-Canadian Mayor Jyoti Gondek stated that the city cannot control public gatherings in such spaces. India’s High Commission in Ottawa has protested the use of government property for separatist activities that challenge its territorial integrity.
27-Jul-2024
In an interview ahead of the Khalistan Referendum voting set to take place on July 28 in Calgary, veteran Khalistani leader Dr. Bakhshish Singh Sandhu on July 27 accused the Indian government of engaging in transnational terrorism against Sikhs, claiming that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's regime is targeting Sikh leaders globally. Sandhu emphasized that despite India's attempts to suppress the Khalistan movement, Sikhs remain committed to their cause, and he expects a strong turnout for the referendum.
26-Jul-2024
The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) on July 27 identified 25-year-old Indo-Canadian Hitkaran Johal as the victim of a shooting that took place on July 26 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Johal was linked to gangland activities and had a criminal history, including charges from Project Temper, which aimed at curbing gang violence. The shooting, deemed targeted, led to a vehicle fire nearby, and no arrests have been made as of now.
26-Jul-2024
In a video, Santokh Singh Khela, the mastermind behind the Air India 112 bombing plot, was seen distributing pamphlets outside a gurdwara in Canada, urging people to attend the Khalistan referendum scheduled for July 28 at Calgary City Hall in Alberta province in Canada. Concerns have been raised over Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek's and her family's ties to Khalistani outfits like the World Sikh Organisation (WSO), the banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Intelligence sources suggest that these associations have made Calgary a hub for activities glorifying terrorism, including the upcoming event dedicated to Talwinder Singh Parmar, another figure in the Air India bombings.
26-Jul-2024
Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, accused Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi of running a 'hate-mongering campaign' against Sikhs ahead of the Khalistan Referendum scheduled to take place on July 28 at Calgary City Hall in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
25-Jul-2024
Indo-Canadian community organizations, such as the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CHNA), the Canada National Alliance for Indo-Canadians (NAIC), and the Hindu Canadian Foundation (HCF), have urged Canadian politicians to stop supporting Khalistani separatists following recent threats against Hindu-Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) Chandra Arya by the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). These organizations condemned the recent vandalism of a Hindu temple in Edmonton and expressed concern over the safety of Hindu-Canadians, criticizing the perceived inaction of Canadian authorities against extremism. They called for greater protection and respect for the community within Canada.
24-Jul-2024
Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, via a video on July 24, called for Hindus in Canada, including Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) Chandra Arya, to return to India, accusing them of working against Canadian values. He specifically targeted Arya, accusing him and his supporters of promoting Indian interests and violence against pro-Khalistan Sikhs. Pannun insisted that only Khalistani Sikhs have proven loyalty to Canada, while labeling those like Arya as unwelcome.
24-Jul-2024
Hindu-Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) Chandra Arya, via a statement on social media site X on July 24, criticized Khalistani extremists for 'polluting' Canada and 'abusing' the freedoms guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights, in response to a video posted by Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, targeting him. Arya's comments followed the recent vandalism of the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton, Canada, by Khalistani radicals with anti-India graffiti. He emphasized the contributions of Hindu Canadians to the country and condemned the actions of those promoting hate and violence.
23-Jul-2024
Hindu organizations expressed outrage on social media platform X on July 23, following the desecration of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir with anti-India graffiti on July 22 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) Canada denounced the Hinduphobic graffiti and called on Canadian authorities to take decisive action against the growing extremist threats to the Hindu community. The Hindu American Association (HAA) echoed these concerns, urging immediate investigation and vigilance.
22-Jul-2024
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton, Alberta was defaced on July 22 with anti-India graffiti, targeting Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and Canada MP Chandra Arya, who has been outspoken against Khalistan radicals in Canada. Following the incident, the Indian consulate in Vancouver requested a thorough investigation, and Arya urged Canadian authorities to address the rising threats against Hindu-Canadians.
18-Jul-2024
Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau faced backlash this week for referring to singer Diljit Dosanjh as "Punjabi" instead of "Indian," exacerbating tensions over Khalistan extremism. This incident, alongside previous controversies, highlights Trudeau’s troubled political strategies and declining popularity ahead of federal elections. His actions, seen as pandering to extremist factions, have raised concerns about Canada's internal security, international relations, and his leadership.
17-Jul-2024
The Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) on July 17 launched a 24-hour “picketing” of India’s consulate in Vancouver, British Columbia, citing a Washington Post report alleging the consulate's involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
15-Jul-2024
Liberal Party's Indo-Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) Chandra Arya urged Canadian politicians on social media site X on July 15 to condemn the public celebration of Indian Prime Minister (PM) Indira Gandhi's assassination and the glorification of Khalistani terrorists, in the aftermath of the attempted killing of former United States (US) President Donald Trump. He highlighted the urgency of denouncing such violent acts and those who celebrate them, and called for an end to the attendance of events where terrorism is rejoiced and for politicians to call out those targeting Hindu-Canadians.
15-Jul-2024
Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau referred to singer Diljit Dosanjh as 'Punjabi' instead of 'Indian' on social media site X on July 15, receiving severe backlash. Trudeau's post, celebrating Dosanjh's success at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada, sparked criticism from netizens who insisted on acknowledging Diljit as 'Indian.' This controversy follows Trudeau's previous criticism for attending a Khalsa Day event where pro-Khalistan slogans were raised, leading to strained diplomatic relations between India and Canada.
13-Jul-2024
According to reports, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's constant pandering to the minority votes of Khalistani separatists and his historical anti-India biases are to blame for strained Indo-Canadian relations. Despite diplomatic efforts, Canada's political landscape is complicated by its support for secessionist groups and inadequate intelligence responses to terrorism, undermining its international standing.
11-Jul-2024
Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, announced on July 11 that the Calgary Municipal Plaza, a government facility owned and operated by the city of Calgary in Canada, will host the next phase of its so-called Khalistan referendum on July 28. However, Calgary's official venue listings do not reflect this event, and the Plaza is noted to be closed that day for resurfacing.