KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
10-Mar-2024
Nearly nine months after the death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a plumber turned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) operative, the Canadian government, led by Justin Trudeau, has failed to provide evidence supporting Trudeau's allegation of Indian government involvement. A documentary aired by CBC, funded by the government, relies on interviews with pro-Khalistan activists and an indictment filed in the United States (US) to implicate India. This move coincides with planned pro-Khalistan protests and a referendum in Sacramento, suggesting possible political motives. Critics argue that, instead of radicalizing the Sikh diaspora, Canada should either produce evidence or refrain from interfering in India's domestic affairs.
08-Mar-2024
A documentary titled 'The Fifth Estate' aired on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) on March 8, alleging the direct involvement of Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi in planning the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and attempting to kill another Khalistani terrorist, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, abroad. Pannun also claimed that PM Modi, advised by National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval, sanctioned the plots, involving India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and its chief, Samant Goel.
08-Mar-2024
Canadian government-funded outlet CBC News on March 8 released footage of the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. The video, captured by a surveillance camera overlooking the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib on the evening of June 18, 2023, shows a white sedan blocking the path of the Dodge Ram pickup truck driven by Nijjar. Two assailants then run towards the vehicle, fatally shooting him, before making their getaway in a waiting Toyota Camry.
06-Mar-2024
Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, put out a poster on social media on March 6, calling for violence against Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma. This came after the India-Canada Chamber of Commerce announced Verma's participation in a networking event scheduled to be organized in Edmonton, Canada, on March 11. The poster featured Mr. Verma's image painted in the middle of a target, with the words 'Challenge, target, question.' Pannun's past aggressive campaigns, which included linking diplomats to assassinations, resulted in the shutdowns of Indian consular services.
02-Mar-2024
Pro-Khalistan groups staged protests outside Indian consulates on March 2 in Toronto and Vancouver, Canada. The rallies, organized by the Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), aimed to avenge the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Despite the closures of the consulates, a police presence prevented protesters from nearing the buildings.
02-Mar-2024
A new video, which went viral on social media, captured hate speech during demonstrations outside Indian consulates in Toronto and Vancouver, Canada, organized on March 2 by the Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). According to reports, this incident reflects Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau's failure to address Khalistani extremism.
01-Mar-2024
India’s High Commissioner to Ottawa, Sanjay Kumar Verma, on March 1, faced tense circumstances during his meeting with a local trade board, as Khalistani protestors surrounded the venue in a disruption organised by Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) in Surrey in British Columbia province of Canada. The protestors, numbering close to 500, blocked entrances and raised separatist slogans, prompting a heavy police presence. The event, titled 'India and Canada: The Future of our Global Economy Together,' was jointly organized by the Surrey Board of Trade and the South Asian Business Association. Despite the disruptions, Verma described the event as successful.
29-Feb-2024
Khalistani terrorist outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), led by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, on February 29 issued a threat via email, targeting India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, during his visit to the province of British Columbia. Verma’s visit includes stops in the capital Victoria, as well as Vancouver and Surrey, in Canada and he is scheduled to meet Surrey’s Mayor Brenda Locke and the Surrey Board of Trade on March 1. In the email, Pannun accused India of being responsible for the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He stated that pro-Khalistan Sikhs would seize the opportunity to directly challenge and question the High Commissioner, aiming to derail otherwise rich Canada-India bilateral relations.
27-Feb-2024
Khalistani terrorist and the leader of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, released a video on February 27 announcing violent protests against Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma in Surrey, Canada. This comes in response to the condemnation by Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar of Khalistani supporters in Canada for threatening Indian diplomats. In the video, Pannun stated that they would challenge and target Ambassador Verma on March 1 in Surrey and burn the Indian flag in front of consulates in Canada, America, and Australia on March 2. Notably, the Indian High Commission in London, United Kingdom (UK), was attacked by pro-Khalistani elements in March 2023, and there was an attempted arson at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, United States (US), in July 2023.
25-Feb-2024
According to reports, trade talks between Canada and India remain stalled following Canada's accusation of Indian involvement in the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, Canada. Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau's public accusation in September 2023 strained bilateral relations, leading to a pause in negotiations. Despite signs of improvement in the relationship, including Canada's designation of India as a priority market, trade negotiations remain paused. Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng has expressed willingness to discuss the matter at a World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting. India's High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Verma, stated in an interview that India awaits Canada's decision on whether to resume talks.
21-Feb-2024
In Toronto, Canada, the residence of Simranjeet Singh, linked to Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was shot at, sparking accusations from pro-Khalistan groups against India. However, Canadian authorities found no evidence of foreign involvement.
20-Feb-2024
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Corporal Sarbjit Sangha on February 20 stated that two teenagers have been charged by the RCMP over a shooting at the home of Simranjeet Singh, with no evidence found linking the incident to foreign interference, in Surrey, British Columbia province in Canada.
19-Feb-2024
According to a senior official source from Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Canada has also raised concerns regarding Khalistani extremism and transnational crime, which are significant issues for India, with ongoing exchanges between the two countries through the Canada-India counter-terrorism working group. This was also revealed by the testimony of Weldon Epp, assistant deputy minister for the Indo-Pacific, before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. The group is expected to meet soon, with details being finalised for an April meeting.
18-Feb-2024
According to reports, Canada offers workshops to Indian officials on the rule of law, emphasizing differences in legal standards. Allegations of Indian interference in Canadian affairs have led to diplomatic strains, resulting in halted trade talks and temporarily suspended visas.
17-Feb-2024
On February 17, Khalistani protesters, some waving Khalistan flags, gathered outside the Indian consulate in Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada, to mark the eight months since the death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. During the demonstration, protestors burned and cut Indian flags, while others made statements primarily in Punjabi over loudspeakers, expressing condemnation of India.
14-Feb-2024
Peel Regional Police are investigating a shooting at the home of Inderjeet Singh Gosal, an organizer of a rally supporting Khalistan, amidst tensions between Sikh activists and opponents of the independence movement in Brampton, Canada. This incident follows another shooting targeting Simrinjeet Singh, a friend of the slain Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, escalating friction within the Indian diaspora. Gosal is associated with the Khalistani terrorist outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and allegedly has faced threats and scrutiny, with authorities probing potential links to his Khalistan affiliation.
13-Feb-2024
It is said that the Khalistan movement, which has its roots in Punjab’s 1970s-80s turbulence, gains more traction in North America, particularly in Canada, due to factors such as immigration waves, media echo chambers, and perceived alienation. However, recent surveys reveal that the overwhelming majority of Sikhs, both in India and abroad, strongly identify with their Indian heritage. This finding contradicts the narrative propagated by Khalistan separatists. Recognizing the resilience and commitment to peace among Sikhs, it is essential to move beyond the Khalistan discourse and appreciate their diverse contributions to society.
12-Feb-2024
On February 12, the property of Inderjit Singh Gosal, a close associate of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was hit by gunfire in Brampton in Ontario province in Canada. The construction crew discovered a bullet hole in the unfinished house. Gosal is a vocal proponent of Khalistan and collaborates closely with Khalistani terrorist and the chief of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
11-Feb-2024
Victor Fedeli, the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade for the Ontario province of Canada, is set to commence a week-long mission to India on February 12. The purpose of this mission is to attract Indian tech businesses to the Canadian province of Ontario. This visit marks the first significant Canadian leadership visit to India since bilateral tensions escalated following the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
07-Feb-2024
According to reports, the shooting at the South Surrey residence of Simranjeet Singh, a friend of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, highlights the complex intersection of domestic harmony and global diplomacy. Allegations of Indian foreign interference injects international intrigue, while the Sikh community's dissatisfaction with Canadian authorities' protection sparks debate about forming a self-styled militia. Despite suspicions, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) remains cautious, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation amidst concerns about eroding trust and potential national security implications.
06-Feb-2024
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on February 6 arrested two 16-year-old boys, for allegedly shooting at the home of Sikh activist Simranjeet Singh, a close associate of slain Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and seized three firearms and multiple electronic devices from their possession, in Surrey in British Columbia province in Canada.
05-Feb-2024
The Indian High Commissioner in Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, stated in an interview with The Globe and Mail that India won't assist the Canadian probe without 'specific evidence,' in the investigation into the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada in 2023, a case that has escalated tensions between Canada and India. Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau had accused Indian secret service agents of Nijjar's assassination, a claim that India refuted.
05-Feb-2024
In a letter, the Sikh Sadbhavna Dal (SSD) has urged Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau to exempt Sikhs from wearing helmets, citing conflicts with religious practices.
03-Feb-2024
According to a report by Global News, declassified documents from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service reveal that India has been designated a 'foreign interference threat' in Canadian elections. Although the report is heavily redacted, it mentions India's engagement in such activities. Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau's government, prompted by concerns over Chinese interference, is advised to safeguard democratic institutions. This revelation comes amid strained Canada-India relations following Trudeau's accusation of Indian involvement in the 2023 murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a claim vehemently denied by India.
03-Feb-2024
Three organisations, the World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO), Ontario Gurdwaras Committee (OGC), and British Columbia Gurdwaras Council (BCGC), have requested standing in the ongoing public inquiry into foreign interference, particularly focusing on alleged Indian interference in Canadian affairs. In a letter addressed to Justice Marie-Josée Hogue, who is leading the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions, in Canada, they emphasised the importance of Sikh representation in light of recent developments implicating India in influencing electoral outcomes.