KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
12-Oct-2023
In an email to Canadian Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc on October 12, the Hindu Forum Canada (HFC) called upon the Canadian government to take swift action against pro-Khalistan extremist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for threatening Indian diplomats and consulates in G7 nations. Earlier, Pannun, the chief of banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) issued fresh threats after Indians turned up in huge numbers for a rally at Mel Lastman Square in Toronto on October 9.
11-Oct-2023
In a recent decision, Heidi Worsfold, a member of the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board tribunal, asserted that the Canadian government did not have reasonable grounds to deem Kamaljit Ram, an Indian citizen, inadmissible to enter Canada on the grounds of allegedly offering a 'safe house' and 'logistical support' to Khalistani militants. The immigration tribunal concluded that Kamaljit Ram, who provided shelter and food to armed Khalistani militants in India for over a decade, should be granted entry into Canada due to his actions being primarily driven by necessity and fear of potential retribution. Earlier, during his interview with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Ram disclosed that he had provided shelter and sustenance to armed Khalistani militants at his farm in India intermittently from 1982 to 1992. Additionally, he expressed his support for the principles advocated by the followers of the late Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a prominent figure in the pro-Khalistan movement, who advocated for the creation of a separate Sikh state.
11-Oct-2023
As per a report from the UK's Financial Times, amid the diplomatic dispute between Delhi and Ottawa, an informal discussion may have taken place between India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly in Washington DC, United States (US), last month. However, the Indian government has not provided any official statement regarding this meeting. Meanwhile, Canada has emphasized that its diplomatic interactions with India continue to be treated as "confidential," despite the fact that the deadline set by New Delhi for Ottawa to reduce its diplomatic representation in the country expired on October 10.
10-Oct-2023
A prominent member of the Indo-Canadian community, Ritesh Malik, who also serves as the National Convener for the Canada India Foundation, has expressed profound apprehension regarding the prevailing 'ecosystem' in Canada that has provided a platform for Khalistan extremists to resort to violence and intimidate those who oppose their ‘nefarious agendas.' In response to Justin Trudeau's contentious statement, Malik has cautioned that pursuing political appeasement for immediate benefits does not serve the long-term interests of Canada. Concerning the presence of Khalistan extremists in Canada, Malik has observed that these individuals actively foster divisions within society and disrupt communal harmony. He has accused them of pursuing a nefarious agenda and undermining the relationship between the two nations.
10-Oct-2023
According to reports, Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau is facing scrutiny for his perceived double standards on social media. While he has expressed disapproval of a rally commemorating the Hamas attack on Israel, his silence on pro-Khalistan rallies in Canada, which endorse violence towards India, has drawn criticism.
09-Oct-2023
Canadian activist Harsha Walia sparked controversy on October 9 by drawing parallels between the Palestinian and Khalistani movements during a pro-Palestinian protest rally in Vancouver in British Columbia province of Canada. She accused India and Israel of sharing military tactics and expressed solidarity with Palestine. However, her comments have been criticized for not condemning the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel and for using divisive rhetoric. Walia has a history of making Hinduphobic and anti-India statements, further fuelling tensions and polarizing discussions on these complex issues.
06-Oct-2023
Khalistani posters calling for the assassination of Indian diplomats in Canada resurfaced just two days after they were taken down at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurudwara in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. Canada's handling of the situation raises concerns about its alleged support for a secessionist movement, which could strain India-Canada bilateral relations.
05-Oct-2023
A spokesperson for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on October 5 revealed that one person has been arrested in Canada in connection with the desecration of temples that occurred on August 12 which took place in Surrey, British Columbia province, Canada, marking the first arrest related to the incident.
05-Oct-2023
According to sources, eight Sikh youths were arrested in Brampton, Canada, within a week, all facing firearm-related charges by local authorities. While some sources clarified that their arrests are not necessarily linked to Khalistani support, the arrests followed reports of shots fired in the area, with the youths found in possession of firearms. Reports also indicate that they are part of a drug and illegal weapon cartel.
05-Oct-2023
Three Punjabi-origin Canadians, Diljeet Brar, Mintu Sandhu alias Sukhjinderpal, and Jasdeep Devgan, were recently elected to the Manitoba provincial assembly in the Manitoba province of Canada. All three belong to the New Democratic Party (NDP). Brar won in Burrows, Sukhjinderpal in the Maples, and Devgan in McPhillips in Manitoba.
04-Oct-2023
A Peel Regional Police press release on October 4 stated that they have arrested around eight Sikh youths aged between 19 to 26 years identified as Jagdeep Singh, Ekamjot Randhawa, Manjinder Singh, Harpreet Singh, Ripanjot Singh, Japandeep Singh , Lovepreet Singh and Rajanpreet Singh in relation to possession of loaded, prohibited or restricted firearms in Brampton city in Ontario province of Canada.
04-Oct-2023
Canada's Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau has taken a more conciliatory approach, stating that they do not want to escalate tensions with India, and Foreign Minister Melanie Joly has expressed a desire for private talks with India. This shift in tone follows Trudeau's earlier accusation of Indian involvement in Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing, suggesting a recalibration of Canada's stance to ease diplomatic tensions. Justin Trudeau's softened response can be attributed to India's decision to ask 41 Canadian diplomats to leave by October 10, prompting a more diplomatic approach from Canada's PM.
02-Oct-2023
A Sikh youth organization, Misl Winnipeg, located in Winnipeg, Canada, has expressed concerns about potential gang activity, following the fatal shooting of Sukhdool Singh Gill alias Sukha Duneke. Gill had been accused by Indian police of involvement in criminal activities in India. His death occurred shortly after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mentioned credible allegations connecting India to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, Canada. The Sikh community in Winnipeg, which was shocked by Gill's murder, is hoping to address any rise in gang-related issues through community initiatives and education, should the need arise.
30-Sep-2023
Ujjal Dev Dosanjh, first Indian-origin minister of Canada, in an interview, criticized Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Trudeau for not taking a stronger stance against Khalistani extremism. He stated that India's concerns were legitimate due to the conduct of the Canadian government. Dosanjh also mentioned the historical background of Khalistan-related activities dating back to the 1970s, along with allegations of funding from Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
29-Sep-2023
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, has confirmed that the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar is currently under active investigation. Nijjar, the head of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was killed in Surrey in June 2023.
29-Sep-2023
According to a report by the National Post, Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead in June 2023, had written a letter to Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau in 2016, denying the Indian government's claims that he was a terrorist.
28-Sep-2023
Members of the Indian diaspora in Canada on September 28 criticized Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau's allegations against India regarding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar as ‘extremely irresponsible, in Brampton, Canada. They expressed their belief that Trudeau could have used more diplomatic channels and rephrased his statement to avoid negatively impacting the Hindu and Sikh communities.
28-Sep-2023
Canadian YouTuber Nancy Grewal, in a YouTube video on September 28, criticized Khalistani terrorist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. She accused him of being an agent of Pakistan's Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) and questioned his intentions to break India, all while owning luxury properties in the United States (US) and Canada. Grewal urged Pannun to come to India to voice his demands if he truly believes in them. She also called on Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau to refrain from promoting a separatist agenda in India.
28-Sep-2023
Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau, on September 28, expressed confidence that United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken would address the issue of alleged Indian involvement in the murder during his meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He also affirmed Canada's commitment to building closer ties with India, despite Canada’s allegations of Indian government involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Trudeau emphasized the importance of constructive engagement with India, citing its growing global significance in terms of economics and geopolitics.
28-Sep-2023
According to a report from Vancouver Sun, a man was arrested on September 28 for vandalizing the Laxmi Narayan and Bhameshwari temples in Surrey, British Columbia in Canada.