KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
20-Sep-2023
According to an insider source, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is reportedly receiving inaccurate information from Canadian intelligence agencies concerning the Khalistan issue. This misleading information is contributing to the strained relationship between the two nations.
20-Sep-2023
The United States (US) ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, at an event held at the Ananta Centre in New Delhi, on September 20 expressed his significant concern regarding the allegations levelled against India by Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau and stressed the importance of a thorough and transparent investigation. He also urged the Indian government to collaborate with this investigation.
20-Sep-2023
According to senior officials, following a meeting of senior foreign ministry and national security officials on September 20 in New Delhi, the Indian government is likely to respond to the allegations made against India by Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau by requesting that Canada provide evidence to substantiate its claims. India is also expected to offer cooperation in the investigation based on the evidence presented and to reach out to its Western allies to refute the allegations while highlighting Canada's tolerance of separatists. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar is likely to clarify India's stance during his upcoming visit to the United Nations General Assembly and a possible bilateral visit to Washington, D.C. in the United States (US).
20-Sep-2023
Chief Judicial Magistrate's court, on September 20, granted bail to Shamsher Singh, who was convicted of assassinating former Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh, in Chandigarh. This decision follows the release on bail of two other convicts, Lakhwinder Singh and Gurmeet Singh, in compliance with a Punjab and Haryana High Court order.
20-Sep-2023
A Delhi court on September 20 acquitted former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar in a case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, citing the 'benefit of doubt.' The court also acquitted two other accused individuals, Ved Prakash Pial and Brahmanand Gupta, due to the prosecution's failure to prove charges of murder and rioting against them. The case involved the killing of Sikh man Surjit Singh during the riots in Sultanpuri. Sajjan Kumar is currently serving time in Tihar jail after being convicted in another case connected to the same riots.
20-Sep-2023
Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) vice-president Baijayant Panda, in New Delhi, on September 20 made a tongue-in-cheek remark suggesting that India should facilitate an online referendum on Quebec independence as a gesture of gratitude for Canada allowing Khalistani separatists to operate on its soil. The Quebec independence movement seeks autonomy for Quebec from Canada and, while it has encountered resistance, it remains a significant issue in Canadian politics. Trudeau's support for Khalistani sympathizers has strained India-Canada relations, and his declining popularity in Canada is a concern for his government's stability. Quebec is a predominantly French-speaking province in Canada with a history of advocating for independence.
19-Sep-2023
Amritsar Police on September 19 busted a cross-border heroin smuggling module based in Pakistan, arresting one of its members, Gurjit Singh along with INR 13.5 lakh in drug money, 850 grams of heroin, and a car in Cheecha village in Amritsar district. Investigations revealed that the operation was orchestrated by jailed drug smuggler Gurwinder Singh alias Mehak, from Kapurthala Central Jail. Gurjit admitted to smuggling approximately 40 kg of heroin in the past month. He received heroin supplies from an unidentified source in Pakistan and transported them through various means, including the riverine route and drones. Gurjit also confessed to collaborating with Pakistani smugglers and using hawala networks to transfer proceeds, raising concerns of potential terror funding.
19-Sep-2023
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on September 19 rejected the allegations by the Canadian Prime Minister (PM), Justin Trudeau, regarding India’s involvement in the killing of the Khalistani terrorist and the chief of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Canada. The MEA labelled these allegations as "absurd" and "motivated," emphasizing India's commitment to the rule of law. India also expressed concerns about Canada's sheltering of Khalistani terrorists and urged Canada to take legal action against anti-India elements operating on its soil. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) in India had banned KTF, citing its intent to revive terrorism in Punjab and challenge India's territorial integrity, security, and sovereignty. Furthermore, an Interpol Red Corner Notice had been issued against Nijjar in 2016. In 2018, local Surrey police briefly placed Nijjar under house arrest due to suspicions of his involvement in terrorism, but he was subsequently released.
19-Sep-2023
According to reports, Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau's allegations of a potential link between Indian government agents and the murder of the deceased Khalistani terrorist and chief of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), Hardeep Singh Nijjar, have posed a significant diplomatic challenge for India. The issue of Khalistan has long strained bilateral relations, and the current situation has the potential to impact India-Canada ties and trade. Moreover, there is concern about the reputational cost on the global stage for India. Trudeau has called for India's cooperation in the investigation, but India has not yet responded to this request. Responses from strategic partners like the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), and Australia will depend on the quality of evidence presented regarding the allegations. Trudeau's upcoming meetings in New York and the exchange of information will be closely watched, while India awaits further details and considers the potential impact on its international standing.
19-Sep-2023
Trade talks between India and Canada have been disrupted due to Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau's allegations of Indian government involvement in the murder of a Khalistani separatist leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The proposed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has the potential to boost two-way trade by up to USD 6.5 billion. Canada is a significant foreign investor in India, with Canadian pension funds heavily invested in Indian markets. The deteriorating relations could also have economic implications for Sikh families in India's Punjab state who have relatives in Canada and rely on remittances. Additionally, India is the largest source of international students in Canada, contributing significantly to the education sector.
19-Sep-2023
The deceased Khalistani terrorist and chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was wanted by both the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Punjab Police in multiple cases. He had close links to the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). Nijjar had been living in Canada since 1997 with a forged passport, working as a plumber, and leading a gurdwara committee. In July 2020, he was designated as an individual terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act due to his social media activities promoting insurrection and attempts to create disharmony in India. The NIA had offered a reward of INR 10 lakh for his arrest, linking him to conspiracy and fundraising for terrorist activities.
19-Sep-2023
On September 19, an electronics company withdrew its sponsorship of the upcoming concert in India by Canada-based Punjabi singer Shubneet Singh, citing his alleged support for Khalistan. This decision came in the wake of Singh's earlier posting of a distorted map of India on his Instagram account, which omitted Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab and sparked outrage. The company, boAt, stated that it is a proud Indian brand and withdrew its sponsorship in response to the singer's remarks.
19-Sep-2023
Former Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Amarinder Singh on September 19 criticized Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his allegations against the Indian government regarding the death of Khalistani terrorist and the chief of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Singh called Trudeau's claims baseless and accused him of playing to the vote gallery with his statements. During Trudeau's 2018 visit to India, Singh had raised the Khalistan issue and provided Trudeau with a list of alleged Canada-based operatives involved in terrorist activities. Trudeau assured that Canada did not support separatist movements and would look into concerns about militancy.
19-Sep-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on September 19 held a meeting to discuss the possibility of postponing its scheduled visit to Canada next month. This upcoming visit is a part of the investigation into the attack on the Indian High Commission in Canada, which is allegedly carried out by pro-Khalistan activists. During the meeting, NIA officials also deliberated on the procedure for extraditing Arshdeep Singh Gill, a designated terrorist associated with the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), who is currently based in Canada.
19-Sep-2023
According to sources, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), is now under scrutiny by security agencies due to the killings of several pro-Khalistani terrorists. Pannun faces 22 criminal cases in Punjab, including sedition charges, and operates from Canada. Despite SFJ being banned in India since 2019 and Pannun being declared a terrorist, Western countries have allowed him to conduct these activities, citing freedom of expression. Pannun's role in recent developments, including the killing of a Khalistani terrorist in Canada, is being questioned.
19-Sep-2023
Foreign Policy expert Robinder Sachdev on September 19 observed that it's unlikely Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau will change his approach on the Khalistan issue, which may lead to a setback in India-Canada relations. Sachdev also expressed concerns about Canada raising baseless allegations on the international stage, which could potentially harm India's image and bilateral relations.
19-Sep-2023
India on September 19 summoned Canadian High Commissioner Cameron MacKay to inform him of the Indian government's decision to expel Canadian diplomat Olivier Sylvestre, the chief of the Canadian intelligence agency in India, in New Delhi. This action is in response to Canada's expulsion of Pavan Kumar Rai, the head of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), on September 18 in Ottawa, Canada.
19-Sep-2023
The leaders of the radical Sikh organization Dal Khalsa, while addressing a press conference in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, on September 19, expressed their long-standing belief that Indian intelligence agencies were responsible for the murders of Khalistani leaders on foreign soil. They cited Canada's recent statement confirming Indian agency involvement in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar as further validation of their belief. Spokesperson Paramjit Singh Mand called on Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi to address Canada's accusations in the Lok Sabha. He suggested that India should cooperate with Canada's investigation rather than recalling its expelled diplomat, who is believed to be a cover agent of RAW. Additionally, Mand urged Pakistan to conduct an impartial investigation into the murders of Paramjit Singh Panjwar, asserting that the same mastermind was behind both killings.
19-Sep-2023
According to sources, the deceased Khalistani terrorist and the chief of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), Hardeep Singh Nijjar, whose killing has sparked a diplomatic dispute between India and Canada, fled India in 1997 under the alias 'Ravi Sharma,' using a fake passport. He faced allegations of involvement in several terror-related incidents and targeted killings in Punjab. Nijjar's name appeared on the most-wanted list provided by then-Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Captain Amarinder Singh to Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau in 2018. His activities and affiliations with Khalistani terror outfits like Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) had drawn the attention of Indian authorities.
19-Sep-2023
India has accused Canada of being a haven for wanted criminals, including gangsters, radicals, drug smugglers, and terrorists, based on Punjab Police cases and intelligence reports. Seven notorious gangsters, some of whom are classified as A-category criminals, have reportedly sought refuge in Canada and collaborated with radical organizations. The Indian government has consistently urged Canada not to allow such individuals to exploit Canadian territory for criminal and terrorist activities against India. India has persistently sought the deportation of individuals on the most-wanted list, which features individuals like Goldy Brar, Sundeep Singh Sidhu, Lakhbir Singh alias Landa, Sarabjit Singh Walia, Gurwant Singh Bath, Gurpreet Singh, Gurjinder Singh Pannun, Charanjit Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Gurpinder Singh, Satnam Singh, and his aides Jaswinder Singh & Parminder Singh.