KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
16-Oct-2024
According to sources, amid ongoing tensions with Canada over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, India has submitted a list of seven fugitive gangsters operating in Canada, alleging their involvement in various violent incidents. The list includes Goldy Brar, a close associate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi; Sandeep Singh Sandhu, a member of the banned International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF); Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dalla, a member of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and aide to Nijjar; Charanjit Singh, a pro-Khalistani radical with multiple criminal cases; Ramandeep Singh, a member of the Jaipal Bhullar gang; Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa, accused in over 30 criminal cases; and Gurpinder Singh, wanted for multiple murders and extortion. Despite detailed evidence provided by India, Canada has reportedly taken minimal action regarding these individuals.
15-Oct-2024
According to sources, Indian High Commissioner to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verma and five other officials returning to India this week are expected to receive enhanced security due to threats from pro-Khalistan elements. This follows the Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice’s (SFJ) offer of a USD 500,000 bounty to track Verma after his expulsion from Canada, accusing him of involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India may also take action against OCI cards held by Canadians suspected of supporting pro-Khalistan activities, though it is unlikely to halt visa issuance.
15-Oct-2024
Amid growing domestic unpopularity, experts and reports suggest that Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau is using the India-Canada diplomatic rift as a deliberate tactic to divert attention from his government’s failures. By engaging in pro-Khalistan political maneuvering, Trudeau appears desperate to hold on to his position, raising questions about whether his actions are driven by political survival.
15-Oct-2024
On October 15, New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh faced laughter and mockery from journalists during a press conference in Ottawa, Canada, when he called for sanctions against India and a ban on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Singh, a known supporter of the Khalistan movement, was criticized for his remarks, with one journalist commenting, 'That’s not how it works.'
15-Oct-2024
A May 2024 report by Justice Marie-Josée Hogue, part of the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference, highlighted alleged attempts by Indian officials to influence Canadian communities and politicians, particularly targeting pro-Khalistan elements. The report suggested that India views such advocacy as a threat to its national security and does not differentiate between lawful political advocacy and violent extremism. It also claimed that Indian proxies may have interfered in Canada’s 2019 and 2021 elections through illicit financial support to pro-India candidates. Pakistan was also accused of interference aimed at countering India’s influence in Canada.
15-Oct-2024
According to reports, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) confirmed on September 27 that Pakistan is influencing Canada’s federal politics to counter India’s presence, particularly through support for Sikh separatist extremism, based on revelations from interim director Vanessa Lloyd. During a session before the Foreign Interference Commission, Lloyd indicated that Pakistan’s involvement includes efforts to support the election of preferred candidates, with Elections Canada being aware of these activities.
14-Oct-2024
Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, on October 14 called for Canada to investigate Member of Parliament (MP) Chandra Arya for his criticism of the Khalistan movement, accusing Arya of being an agent of India and 'spewing venom' against pro-Khalistan activism. He also praised Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau for targeting Indian diplomats and indicated that the SFJ would continue to track them.
14-Oct-2024
Brigitte Gauvin, Assistant Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), accused India on October 14 of 'targeting South Asian community members,' specifically pro-Khalistani elements in Canada, by using organized crime groups such as the Bishnoi Group, which she claimed are linked to Indian government agents, during a briefing in Ottawa, Canada. RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme added that Canadian law enforcement had investigated numerous threats to pro-Khalistan figures, and despite their efforts, the threats persist, prompting Canada to confront India about these findings.
14-Oct-2024
According to sources, Indo-Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) Chandra Arya, a vocal critic of pro-Khalistan extremism, has been provided federal security by Parliamentary Security and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) after being targeted by Khalistani extremists. Arya continues to speak out against the growing threat of Khalistani extremism in Canada, urging law enforcement to act with an 'iron hand.'
14-Oct-2024
According to reports, in British Columbia (BC), Canada, the Sikh community feels vindicated following the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s (RCMP) allegations of foreign interference by Indian government agents, linking them to violent criminal activities, including homicides and extortion. These revelations come a year after Canada connected India to the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Community leaders have called for stronger Canadian action against India, emphasizing that they will not be intimidated.
14-Oct-2024
The banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) on October 14 issued a new threat against India's High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, and released a video showing him being shot. The video depicted an image of Verma riddled with bullets, further escalating the already tense diplomatic relations between India and Canada.
14-Oct-2024
According to sources, on October 14, shortly after a major diplomatic crisis erupted between India and Canada, Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau sought support from United Kingdom (UK) PM Keir Starmer, alleging a 'targeted campaign' by Indian agents, in Ottawa. The crisis followed the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which Canada claimed was orchestrated by the Indian government. While India has dismissed these allegations as baseless, Trudeau has been seeking backing from allies. Pro-Khalistan groups, including the Sikh Federation UK, have called on other nations to stand with Canada. UK officials have taken a more cautious stance, noting that the allegations are still under investigation.
11-Oct-2024
Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) Chandrakanth Chandra Arya, on October 11, in Ottawa, raised concerns about attacks on journalists reporting on Khalistani extremism. He cited incidents involving Indian-origin journalists, including assaults on Rishi Nagar, Sameer Kaushal, and Deepak Punj. Arya urged law enforcement to take the matter seriously and act before the situation escalates.
10-Oct-2024
Canada’s National Security and Intelligence Advisor (NSIA), Nathalie G. Drouin, on October 10 stated that she was uncertain whether India aimed to influence Canadian policy, suggesting instead that New Delhi may be more focused on the pro-Khalistan movement while appearing before the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions in Ottawa, Canada. Drouin pointed to Canada’s large Sikh diaspora and the Air India bombing as reasons for India's interest.
10-Oct-2024
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly on October 10 testified before the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Ottawa, stating that she had been largely kept in the dark about foreign interference efforts since her appointment in 2021. Joly also described relations with India as 'tense' and criticized India’s lack of cooperation in the investigation into the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
10-Oct-2024
On October 10, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to holding Indian officials allegedly responsible for the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar accountable, while testifying before the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Ottawa. She highlighted the ongoing investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and emphasized the importance of India’s cooperation in clarifying the incident. Joly also acknowledged the complex and problematic relationship between the two nations, noting that despite the tensions, diplomatic discussions have continued privately.
09-Oct-2024
The Calgary Police Service on October 9 charged an individual, identified as Dilpreet Singh, in connection with the violent assault on radio journalist Rishi Nagar, which occurred on September 29 outside a banquet hall in the Horizon neighbourhood of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Singh, a resident of Alberta, is scheduled to appear in court on November 15.
06-Oct-2024
Punjabi journalist Joginder Bassi, known for his comedic style of journalism on the popular Bassi Show, received a death threat via a message from a Dubai phone number, warning him that his 'end is near' and branding him an 'Indian spy,' in Toronto, Canada. The threat followed Bassi's condemnation of Khalistan supporters who insulted the Indian flag in Canada. Bassi has previously faced threats, including a shooting incident at his home in 2021. He has filed a complaint with Ontario police, who are investigating the matter.
06-Oct-2024
According to sources, Canadian police have identified Jaswinder Singh Grewal, linked to the Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), as one of the attackers on radio journalist Rishi Nagar, who was assaulted on September 29 in Calgary, Canada. Nagar, who had spoken out against Khalistani factions, was targeted for refusing to align with their views.
05-Oct-2024
Pro-Khalistani supporters disrupted an event organized by the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) on October 5 and targeted Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) Chandra Arya with slogans such as 'Arya is Indian, not Canadian,' 'Arya is Modi’s agent,' and 'Go back, go back' in Calgary, Canada. The protest, organized by the Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), also desecrated an Indian flag and displayed offensive posters against Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister (UHM) Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister (EAM) Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval.