KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
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.
04-Sep-2024
On September 4, Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau faced a setback when Jagmeet Singh, leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP), withdrew his party's support for the Liberal government in Ottawa. Singh criticized the Liberals for failing to counter the Conservatives and prioritizing corporate interests. The NDP had backed Trudeau under a 2022 agreement in exchange for increased social spending, but growing voter fatigue appears to have strained the partnership. While this does not immediately threaten Trudeau's position, it complicates his ability to pass legislation and survive confidence votes.
01-Sep-2024
On September 1, gunshots were fired outside Punjabi singer AP Dhillon’s house on Vancouver Island, Canada, with Lawrence Bishnoi's gang claiming responsibility. Indian intelligence agencies are investigating a possible connection to a similar shooting outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan's Mumbai residence in April 2024. Both incidents are being investigated for potential links, as Salman Khan had appeared in a music video with Dhillon.
01-Sep-2024
On the night of September 1, gunshots were fired outside Punjabi singer AP Dhillon's residence on Vancouver Island, Canada. Rohit Godara, a gangster linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi-Goldy Brar gang, took responsibility for the attack in a viral social media post, allegedly in retaliation for Dhillon's collaboration with Bollywood actor Salman Khan. Authorities are investigating the incident and Godara's threats as worries mount over the gang's increasing international reach.
31-Aug-2024
Pro-Khalistan radical groups on August 31 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, displayed floats reading "Beanta Bombed to Death," paying homage to the suicide bomber responsible for killing Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh.
31-Aug-2024
A pro-Khalistan rally was organised on August 31, led by Khalistani terrorist and a close associate of slain Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Inderjeet Singh Gosal in Toronto in Ontario province in Canada.
26-Aug-2024
Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, stated on August 26 that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) had issued a 'duty to warn' notice to Inderjeet Singh Gosal, an aide to Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, about an increased threat to his life in Ontario, Canada. Gosal had taken over the Khalistan campaign after Nijjar's death. Neither the RCMP nor the Ontario police were immediately available for comment, and the office of Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc declined to comment.