KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
14-Jul-2023
In an official communique, India's High Commission in Ottawa, Canada, has expressed its concern to Global Affairs Canada, the country's foreign ministry, regarding the upcoming Khalistan referendum organized by the banned Khalistan outfit, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), scheduled for July 16. According to sources, unlike the previous referendum in Brampton, Canada, permission to use a public community centre for the upcoming referendum has been denied. Meanwhile, India's High Commissioner to Ottawa, Sanjay Kumar Verma, has stated that the illegal referendum organized by SFJ is intended to disrupt Canada-India relations. However, he emphasized that millions of peaceful Indo-Canadians will counter such efforts, as demonstrated during a gathering in Toronto on July 8. Letters are being sent to Canadian officials, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mayor of Mississauga Bonnie Crombie, urging them to address the issue promptly and prevent the spread of hatred and misinformation.
14-Jul-2023
According to sources, three Khalistan supporters, identified as Satbir Singh alias Satta Naushera, Jaswinder Singh and Parminder Singh, believed to be involved in attacks on police establishments in Punjab in 2022, were detained in Canada. They were suspected of illegal entry and potentially using forged Portuguese passports and were detained by the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) at Toronto's Pearson International Airport after arriving from London last month. According to a senior Punjab Police official, the three Khalistani activists, who are close associates of Lakhbir Singh Landa, have been detained in Canada. These individuals were allegedly involved in planning the RPG attack on Punjab Police's Intelligence wing headquarters in May 2022 and the attack on a police station in Tarn Taran, Punjab, in December 2022. Meanwhile, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), has offered to coordinate the legal defense of these individuals in relation to their campaign for the Khalistan referendum in Punjab.
14-Jul-2023
The signboard of Shri Bhagavad Gita Park in Brampton, in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in Canada, was defaced with graffiti that targeted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The graffiti spray-painted on the signboard, which read 'Modi is Terrorist (BBC),' was discovered on the morning of July 14.
11-Jul-2023
Jeff Lal, the President of the Brampton Bharat Mata Mandir (Temple) in Canada's Greater Toronto Area (GTA), expressed his concerns on July 11 in a letter addressed to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding the rise of anti-India and anti-Hindu activities, including defacement by pro-Khalistan elements. The temple president expressed genuine worries about the safety of the priests living on the temple premises. The temple's president highlighted the need for immediate action by Canadian authorities to address this issue. Recently, posters targeting Indian officials were found in front of the temple, adding to previous incidents of such targeting.
10-Jul-2023
Canadian senior journalist Terry Milewski, in an interview with Australia Today on July 11, explained that the purpose of the pro-Khalistani "Freedom Day" rallies, which took place on July 8 in various cities and received little attention in the mainstream media, is to depict India as a genocidal state. This portrayal ignores the fact that the majority of Sikhs reside in India and do not perceive themselves as victims of genocide, he said.
08-Jul-2023
Approximately 250 Khalistani supporters assembled outside the Indian Consulate in Toronto, Canada on July 8 for a protest rally, while a pro-India rally took place on the opposite side of the street. The two groups were separated by barricades and a strong police presence. Though the pro-Khalistan group made an attempt to breach the barricade and confront the pro-India contingent, they were pushed back by the police. Two protesters were arrested, one of whom was charged with assaulting a police officer. The pro-Khalistan group displayed posters alleging the Indian establishment's involvement in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Several protesters donned jackets bearing the slogan "Republic of Khalistan" and advocated for the upcoming phase of the Punjab Referendum in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) on July 16.
08-Jul-2023
Bharat Mata Mandir, a temple in Brampton within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), was desecrated with a poster targeting Indian diplomats placed in front of it in Canada on July 8. The poster, associated with the secessionist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), was discovered outside the temple and displayed images of Indian diplomats. Pro-Khalistan individuals, potentially linked to handles based in Pakistan, further propagated a video showcasing the poster's placement.
06-Jul-2023
Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau, addressing a press conference in Ottawa, on July 6, responded to New Delhi's accusation that his government has failed to address the Khalistani extremist campaign in Canada. Trudeau stated that Canada is a highly diverse nation where freedom of expression is valued and that Canada takes violence and threats seriously. His remarks came days after India summoned the Canadian envoy in New Delhi on July 3 and issued a demarche over the increasing activities by pro-Khalistani elements in Canada.
05-Jul-2023
An Indian-origin Member of Parliament (MP) and Liberal Party politician in Canada, Chandra Arya on July 5 strongly criticized the pro-Khalistani posters labelling Indian diplomats as "killers," and warned that these elements are becoming increasingly provocative and dangerous. Arya expressed concern about the potential for violence, referring to recent incidents such as a pro-Khalistan rally in Brampton, Canada, celebrating the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister (PM) Indira Gandhi. The Indian government had earlier summoned the Canadian envoy and issued a demarche, urging Canada to take appropriate measures against pro-Khalistani activities. Canada has assured India of the safety of its diplomats and condemned the circulating promotional material for the Khalistan rally.
04-Jul-2023
The Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Melanie Joly on July 4 emphasized Canada's commitment to the safety of diplomats under the Vienna Conventions and reiterated that Canada maintains close communication with Indian officials regarding objectionable promotional materials and posters circulating online.
04-Jul-2023
The Canadian Minister of National Defence Anita Anand on July 4 affirmed that the posters for the July 8 Khalistan event are unacceptable and do not represent Canadians, while emphasizing Canada's responsibility to ensure the safety of foreign diplomats in the country. The security concerns regarding Indian missions and diplomats have heightened due to the circulation of a poster by pro-Khalistan elements featuring violent imagery, the phrase 'Kill India,' and photographs of Indian diplomats including Sanjay Kumar Verma, India's High Commissioner to Ottawa, and Apoorva Srivastava, Consul General in Toronto.
03-Jul-2023
The Indian High Commission in Ottawa, Canada, on June 3 sent a demarche to the Canadian Government seeking immediate measures against the Khalistan extremists responsible for the poster titled "Kill India" for their upcoming "Khalistan Freedom Rally", which threatened Indian officials, including Sanjay Kumar Verma, India's High Commissioner to Ottawa, and Apoorva Srivastava, Consul General in Toronto. The poster featured photos and designations of the two diplomats with the title "Faces of Shaheed Nijjar’s Killers in Toronto." According to the poster, the rally, named after Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed in Canada on June 18, is scheduled for July 8 in Toronto. This is not the first occasion on which India has issued a demarche to Canada; similar actions were taken in December 2020 and October 2022 concerning different matters.
02-Jul-2023
A 25-year-old Indo-Canadian gangster, identified as Karnvir Singh Garcha, was fatally shot on July 2 near Foster Avenue and North Road in Coquitlam in Burnaby in British Columbia, Canada. Garcha was previously identified as a significant threat due to his involvement in gang activities. Timothy Pierotti of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) stated that IHIT is seeking information from individuals who had recent contact with Garcha, including the driver who dropped him off before the incident.
27-Jun-2023
Moninder Singh, a spokesperson for the British Columbia (BC) Gurdwaras Council and a pro-Khalistani supporter, stated on June 27 that he has gone into hiding following the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, Canada. Singh claimed that he and four others, including Nijjar, were warned last year about an imminent threat of assassination. However, when they asked about available protections, they received an unsatisfactory response from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s (RCMP), Canada.
25-Jun-2023
Thousands gathered for the funeral of Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 25 in Surrey, Canada. Attendees waved Khalistan flags and described Nijjar as peaceful and dedicated to human rights.
24-Jun-2023
Sikh protesters in Vancouver gathered in front of the Indian consulate on June 24 to denounce the shooting death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the president of a Sikh gurdwara. Gurkeerat Singh, a volunteer at the gurdwara, stated that Nijjar had been warned by Canadian intelligence officials about the potential danger to his life. Protesters believe that Nijjar's death was the result of foreign interference, possibly linked to his advocacy for an independent Sikh- Khalistan. While investigators have not established a connection to foreign interference, protesters expressed their conviction that the killing was related to Nijjar's activism.
23-Jun-2023
Canada commemorated the 38th anniversary of the Air India Flight 182 bombing on June 23, which killed 329 people, mostly Canadians. The City of Mississauga in Canada lowered its flags at half-mast in remembrance, coinciding with the National Day of Remembrance for victims of Terrorism. Posters in the Greater Toronto areas highlighted the role of Khalistani extremists in the attack. Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) Chandra Arya condemned the recent celebrations glorifying violence and hate, urging authorities to be vigilant. MP Marie-Helene Gaudreau called for a public inquiry into the bombing. The Canadian government has erected memorials and taken steps to investigate the incident and enhance national security.
22-Jun-2023
A poll released by Angus Reid Institute on June 22, revealed that nine out of ten Canadians have little or no knowledge of the 1985 Air India bombing, Canada's deadliest terrorist attack. The survey of over 1,500 respondents also found that 60% of adults aged 18 to 34 have never even heard of the tragic event, which claimed the lives of 329 people. While those in British Columbia and Ontario showed greater awareness due to their proximity to the attack, overall, the lack of knowledge about this significant incident raises concerns about education, media coverage, and the risk of it being forgotten over time.
21-Jun-2023
A meeting was convened on June 21 between members of Parliament belonging to the Liberal Sikh caucus led by Sukh Dhaliwal and Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino in response to apprehensions within the Surrey Sikh community regarding potential foreign interference in the shooting death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, Canada. The killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar at a Sikh temple raised fears of foreign interference. The MPs expressed the community's concerns about safety and requested the involvement of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in the investigation. The minister assured them of the government's commitment to solving the crime and protecting the Sikh community. Further meetings with temple executives and ongoing support for the community are planned.
21-Jun-2023
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Unit (IHIT), which is handling the case of Hardeep Singh Nijjar's murder, on June 21 released updated information about the incident that occurred on June 18. According to the latest details, two suspects, described as "heavy-set men wearing face coverings," fled into Cougar Creek Park and possibly entered a vehicle at the intersection of 121 Street and 68 Avenue. It is suspected that another individual was waiting in a vehicle to facilitate their escape. Nijjar sustained multiple gunshot wounds while in his vehicle, as he exited through the rear exit on 122 Street. Currently, no arrests have been made, and the motive behind the shooting remains unknown.
20-Jun-2023
According to report, the recent killing of Jimi Sandhu has brought back the focus on Indo-Canadian organised crime rings. Indo-Canadian gangs have been active since the 1980s. They are among the top organised crime groups in Canada. And there's links between these gangs and the Khalistan separatist movement, the report said.
18-Jun-2023
Family members of the victims of the 1985 Air India flight 182 bombing are outraged by plans of Khalistan supporters for a car rally to be held in Toronto on June 25, to honour Talwinder Singh Parmar, considered the mastermind behind the attack. A poster announcing the rally surfaced in various parts of Canada and social media on June 17. The rally, named the "Shaheed Bhai Talwinder Singh Parmar Khalistan Car Rally," has caused distress among the families, who believe it is inappropriate to commemorate someone responsible for such a tragic event. The Kanishka bombing, which claimed the lives of all 307 passengers and 22 crew members, remains the worst act of terrorism in Canadian history and is recognised as its National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism.
18-Jun-2023
Notorious Khalistani terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was the leader of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and the Canadian branch of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), was shot dead by two unidentified assailants in a parking lot of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, Canada on June 18. According to reports, Nijjar, who was the president of the Gurudwara, had forcibly taken control of it and had turned it into a prominent centre of Khalistani activities. Nijjar faced charges in several terror cases, including involvement in SFJ's Sikh Referendum campaign, plotting targeted killings at Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) gatherings and Hindu religious sites, and funding arms procurement and training for terrorist activities in India. He gained notoriety for hoisting a large Khalistani flag at the Indian consulate in Vancouver. Nijjar was also linked to the KTF's organized crime network, involved in extortion, smuggling arms, ammunition, and explosives across state borders. Nijjar was wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Punjab Police, in 17 cases involving provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Explosive Substances Act and the Arms Act. The (NIA) had announced a reward of INR 10 lakh for his arrest in 2022 and seized his properties in his village Bhar Singh Pura in Phillaur subdivision of Jalandhar district in 2020.
17-Jun-2023
A poster surfaced in various parts of Canada and social media on June 17, of a Canadian car rally to be held on June 25, that referred to deceased Khalistani militant Talwinder Singh Parmar as a "shaheed" or martyr. The rally also called for an investigation into India's alleged role in the bombing. This development comes amidst a series of pro-Khalistan attacks on Indian diplomatic missions in Canada, the UK, and the US. Canadian authorities have been criticized for honouring Parmar, who was responsible for the deaths of 331 individuals in the Air India bombing.
10-Jun-2023
Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Conservative Party of Canada on June 10 condemned the display of a tableau depicting the assassination of the late Indian Prime Minister (PM) Indira Gandhi on June 4 in a parade in Brampton, Canada. On June 7, India’s high commission in Ottawa sent a formal note to Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the country’s foreign ministry, to express displeasure over the tableau. Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown along with the Peel Regional Police (PRP) in a statement conveyed that the incident is not being considered a hate crime by law enforcement.