KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
04-Jul-2024
The banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) organized a protest on July 4 targeting India’s High Commissioner to Ottawa, Sanjay Kumar Verma, outside the Indian High Commission in Ottawa, Canada. This demonstration was part of a series of over 20 protests organized by the SFJ targeting Indian diplomatic missions. According to sources, despite India's repeated expressions of concern and requests for increased security to Global Affairs Canada, these protests persist and are fueled by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's statements about India’s role in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
01-Jul-2024
According to reports, pro-Khalistani elements are organizing a massive event on July 28, dedicated to Khalistani terrorists Talwinder Singh Parmar and Hardeep Singh Nijjar, with pro-Khalistani Sikhs expected to attend and vote for the Khalistan Referendum in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The event, organized by the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and the World Sikh Organisation (WSO), will be held at Dashmesh Cultural Centre, a Gurdwara linked to radical Sikh organizations.
28-Jun-2024
Canada's former defence minister, Harjit Sajjan, recently faced controversy over allegations that he prioritized the rescue of Afghan Sikhs during Kabul's fall in 2021. Sajjan and the World Sikh Organization dismissed the allegations as biased, emphasizing that all evacuation requests were handled seriously and without favouritism.
27-Jun-2024
A report by The Globe and Mail revealed that the Trudeau government was aware of Hardeep Singh Nijjar's links to terrorism, including his no-fly list status and frozen bank accounts, yet still chose to honour him. Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Chrystia Freeland recently evaded questions about this decision.
25-Jun-2024
Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Chrystia Freeland defended Parliament's moment of silence for Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed in 2023. She described his murder as entirely unacceptable amid ongoing investigations into potential involvement by the Indian government.
25-Jun-2024
Indian High Commissioner to Ottawa, Sanjay Kumar Verma, while speaking to Reuters on June 25, dismissed a recent Canadian report alleging Indian interference in Canada's domestic affairs as "politically motivated" and false. Verma claimed the report, which also accused China of similar actions, was influenced by anti-India elements and Khalistani extremists.
24-Jun-2024
According to a report by The Globe and Mail, Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was deeply involved in terrorist activities, including running training camps and associating with known terrorists like Jagtar Singh Tara in Pakistan. Nijjar's death was controversial as it led to accusations by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Indian involvement, which India vehemently denies. This incident has exacerbated tensions between Canada and India, highlighting ongoing issues with Canada harboring anti-India elements under political auspices, even as Canadian media confirm Nijjar's terrorist involvements.
24-Jun-2024
Canadian Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) Chandra Arya, in an interview on June 24, expressed his disagreement with the decision of the House of Commons to hold a moment of silence for Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Arya criticized the parliamentary honour as typically reserved for Canadians who have notably served the country, questioning the elevation of Nijjar's status amidst allegations of his involvement in violent activities and connections to foreign government incidents.
23-Jun-2024
According to reports, family members of the victims from the 1985 Kanishka bombing, which claimed 329 lives, prevented members of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) from attending a prayer meeting in Canada marking the tragedy's 39th anniversary. The families also expressed disappointment over the lack of Canadian governmental representation at the event and criticized the support shown by the Canadian government to Khalistani extremists and sympathizers.
23-Jun-2024
The Indian High Commission on June 23 held a memorial for the victims of the 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing, emphasizing that many involved in this heinous act remain free, in Ottawa, Canada. This event followed closely after the Canadian Parliament's tribute to Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, highlighting the deteriorating relations between India and Canada. The discord is exacerbated by Canada's reluctance to confront domestic groups that celebrate anti-India terrorist acts.
23-Jun-2024
According to a CBC report, members of the Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), carrying the Khalistan flag, disrupted the memorial held for the victims of the 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing in Stanley Park, Vancouver, Canada, on June 23. Family members of the victims challenged SFJ’s claim of innocence regarding Khalistani terrorist Talwinder Singh Parmar, whom authorities have identified as the mastermind behind the bombing.
23-Jun-2024
India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, on June 23 in Ottawa, criticized the Canadian government for not adequately addressing terrorism that finds political shelter on its soil. Verma emphasized the importance of tackling terrorism through legal and social measures and condemned the routine glorification of terrorism, such as the 1985 Air India bombing, in Canada. He highlighted the ongoing challenge of Khalistani extremism in Canada, exacerbated by the political dynamics involving the New Democratic Party (NDP) led by Khalistani politician Jagmeet Singh.
21-Jun-2024
Commander of the federal policing program in the Pacific region in Canada, Assistant Commissioner David Teboul, on June 21 reiterated the ongoing and active status of the investigation into the 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing, marking its 39th memorial anniversary. He emphasized the lasting impact of Canada's most significant terror-related loss of life and the complexity of this prolonged domestic terrorism case. Despite only one conviction so far, the investigation continues to pursue leads linked to the Khalistan movement's violent separatist agenda.
21-Jun-2024
As the 39th anniversary of the Air India Flight 182 bombing approaches, victims' families expressed distress over the resurgence of Khalistani extremism in Canada and the spread of misinformation about the attack. The Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) plans counter-rallies on the same day as memorial services, intensifying concerns. Families and experts criticized Canada's handling of the situation, noting a lack of acknowledgment and action against rising extremist rhetoric, fearing a repeat of past tragedies.
20-Jun-2024
On June 20, in an address to the parliament, Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) Chandra Arya warned that Khalistani extremism is re-emerging in Canada. He highlighted recent incidents troubling the Hindu Canadian community and condemned the historical bombing of Air India Flight 182 by Khalistani extremists as the deadliest act of mass killing in Canadian history. Arya’s remarks come ahead of a memorial on June 23, commemorating the victims, underscoring India’s condemnation of terrorism.
20-Jun-2024
India's Consulate General in Vancouver emphasized India's commitment to countering terrorism globally as it announced a memorial service for the 39th anniversary of the Air India 'Kanishka' Flight 182 bombing, a tragic event that killed 329 people in 1985. This announcement comes amid strained relations with Canada, which recently observed a moment of silence for Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, intensifying the discord over Canada's handling of pro-Khalistan elements. The memorial is set for June 23, 2024, at the Air India Memorial in Vancouver.
19-Jun-2024
On June 19, the Federal Court of Appeal in Canada upheld the inclusion of two suspected Khalistani extremists, Bhagat Singh Brar and Parvkar Singh Dulai, on the no-fly list, ruling that the public safety benefits outweigh the breach of their Charter rights. Justice David Stratas emphasized that the evidence against the individuals was strong and their removal from the list would jeopardize efforts to prevent terrorism, both domestically and internationally. The decision reaffirms previous Federal Court rulings from 2022 that supported their continued restriction from flying.
19-Jun-2024
On June 19, the Indian Consulate General in Vancouver announced a memorial event scheduled for June 23, 2024, to honour the victims of the 1985 Air India Kanishka bombing, marking its 39th anniversary in Vancouver, Canada. The memorial aims to demonstrate solidarity against terrorism and will be held at the Air India Memorial in Stanley Park. This event comes amid strained relations between India and Canada following the commemoration of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and ongoing investigations into his death.
18-Jun-2024
Khalistani extremists on June 18 marked the anniversary of Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing by holding a mock murder trial for Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi outside the Indian consulate in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The trial featured actors as the jury and a judge, with an effigy of Modi in prison stripes paraded in a cage.
18-Jun-2024
According to a recent survey from the non-profit polling agency Angus Reid Institute (ARI), public opinion in Canada towards India has declined, with only 33% viewing the country favourably, down from 56% in 2019. This decline is attributed to factors such as the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, allegations of foreign interference, and growing anti-immigration sentiment. Political commentator Darshan Maharaja noted that issues related to international students and corruption have also negatively impacted India's perception.