KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
05-Oct-2024
According to reports, in a recent incident, Canadian Sikh Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) Ruby Sahota was heckled and forced to leave an event organized by Pakistan-origin businessman Tanveer Malik in Brampton, Canada. The harassment occurred after Sahota presented a petition in the Canadian Parliament highlighting human rights violations in Pakistan, particularly by its military.
04-Oct-2024
Weldon Epp, Assistant Deputy Minister for the Indo-Pacific at Global Affairs Canada (GAC), stated on October 4 in Ottawa that investigations by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) were underway, along with diplomatic efforts. He clarified that the potential link to India remains an allegation based on intelligence, with no conclusive findings yet.
04-Oct-2024
Canada’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, David Morrison, while appearing before the foreign interference commission in Ottawa on October 4, reiterated the country's 'absolute' position on respecting India's territorial integrity, affirming that 'there is one India.' Morrison acknowledged ongoing private discussions with India and emphasized that while pro-Khalistan activities are 'awful,' they are considered lawful under Canada's Freedom of Speech laws.
03-Oct-2024
Daniel Bordman, a senior correspondent at The National Telegraph, stated in a conversation with India Today that Canada's immigration system is "completely broken and predatory in nature." He explained that Indian students, who are now facing the brunt of new immigration laws, are being exploited by Khalistani groups to advance their separatist agenda. Bordman noted that these extremist groups are taking advantage of vulnerable students, offering them legal protection in exchange for attending rallies and supporting their cause amid Canada's economic and housing crisis.
03-Oct-2024
The Deputy Chairman of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Mark Flynn, revealed in Ottawa, Canada, on October 3, that Canadian law enforcement is conducting separate investigations into alleged foreign interference by India, distinct from the probe into the 2023 killing of pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He appeared before the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions. Flynn acknowledged that India has raised concerns over Khalistani extremism but noted that what India defines as an offense may not always align with Canadian law.
01-Oct-2024
The trial of four Indian nationals accused in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was adjourned for the fifth time at Surrey Provincial Court in Surrey, Canada, on October 1. The adjournment was due to the prosecution requiring more time for disclosure. The next hearing is scheduled for November 21. The four accused — Karan Brar, Kamalpreet Singh, Karanpreet Singh, and Amandeep Singh — remain in custody, facing charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
29-Sep-2024
Indo-Canadian newsperson and news director of Red FM Calgary, Rishi Nagar, was attacked by two unidentified individuals in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, on September 29. Nagar said that he believes the assailants were pro-Khalistan elements upset over a report involving arrests at the Gurdwara Dashmesh Cultural Centre. Calgary Police are investigating the assault, which was captured on CCTV.
28-Sep-2024
Recently, a video went viral showing pro-Palestinian supporters defacing and attacking a statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh during a protest in Brampton, Canada. The act sparked widespread outrage and anger among the public.
27-Sep-2024
A year after Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau's claim of Indian intelligence involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canada has yet to provide any evidence. Trudeau's unsubstantiated allegations have damaged India-Canada relations, polarized the Indian diaspora, and radicalized sections of the Sikh community. As Trudeau’s government faces the possibility of collapse by February 2025, questions arise regarding whether he should apologize to India for these actions.
26-Sep-2024
A recent poll conducted by Maru Public Opinion for CityNews found that one in five people in Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary consider crime and policing to be the top issues in their cities, Canada. Drug-related crime was the main concern in Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver, while gun crime topped the list in Toronto. The poll also highlighted widespread concerns about police response times and bail reform, with over 85% of respondents across the cities feeling that too many repeat violent offenders are being granted bail.
26-Sep-2024
Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) Chandra Arya, while addressing the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa on September 26, criticized a petition seeking a new inquiry into the 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing, calling it a promotion of 'conspiracy theories' by Khalistani extremists. He reaffirmed that two Canadian inquiries had already found Sikh extremists responsible for the tragic attack, which killed 329 people.
26-Sep-2024
On September 26, a report released by the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM), a unit within Global Affairs Canada, revealed that media outlets aligned with Indian Prime Minister (PM) Modi targeted Canadian PM Justin Trudeau following his claim linking India to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The report highlighted similar narratives discrediting Trudeau and Canada while depicting the country as isolated within the G7.
25-Sep-2024
Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau on September 25 survived a vote of no confidence in his minority Liberal government, with Members of Parliament (MPs) voting 211 to 120 against the Conservative motion in Ottawa, Canada. While Trudeau remains in power, opposition leader Pierre Poilievre vowed to continue efforts to topple the government, capitalizing on the breakdown of the Liberal-New Democratic Party (NDP) coalition.
20-Sep-2024
A recently released report by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) flagged India and China for alleged interference in Canada’s domestic politics by influencing diaspora communities and supporting pro-Government of India (GoI) candidates with illicit funding and disinformation campaigns. The report also claimed that India is actively involved in undermining support for the Khalistan movement and views its supporters as a threat to domestic stability. Indian High Commissioner to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma denied these allegations and demanded evidence from Canada.
14-Sep-2024
Tarlochan Singh, former chairman of India’s National Commission for Minorities, recently urged the Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Raghbir Singh, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami, and Sikh Members of Parliament (MPs) from Canada to address Quebec’s Bill 21, which bans public servants in positions of authority from wearing religious symbols, including turbans. Singh emphasized that Sikh MPs should follow the example of Sikhs in the United Kingdom (UK), who successfully amended similar laws to protect Sikh symbols, and called for efforts to have the law revisited and amended.
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.