KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
26-Oct-2023
The banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) is scheduled to conduct a second round of voting for its Khalistan referendum on October 29 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Reports suggest that allegations made by Canada regarding potential links between India and the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar have emboldened support for the Khalistan movement, leading to an increase in participation in an unofficial referendum organized by SFJ. Supporters who were previously hesitant to voice their opinions now feel more confident in expressing their positions, as Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau's statement about credible allegations of Indian government involvement has spurred frank discussions. India denies any connection to Nijjar's death, and Canada's relations with India have become strained following Trudeau's statement.
25-Oct-2023
The Indian High Commission in Canada on October 25 announced that India will resume visa services in Canada starting on October 26. India had previously suspended visa services on September 21, 2023, due to security concerns. The resumption will cover entry, business, medical, and conference visas, but it will not include tourist, employment, student, and film categories. Security concerns stemming from anti-India activities, including pro-Khalistan elements, continue to pose a challenge, and the decision to relax the visa regime is contingent on improved security conditions.
25-Oct-2023
India's High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, in an interview on October 25, indicated that Pro-Khalistan elements targeting Indian diplomats and missions in Canada pose a significant challenge. While personal security measures have been implemented, the situation remains unfavourable for normal diplomatic and consular functions.
25-Oct-2023
An e-petition for the recognition of Hinduphobia in Canada, e-4507, closed on October 17 with 25,794 signatures, which exceeded the 500 signatures required to elicit a response from the Government and is expected to be presented in Parliament in November, in Ottawa, Canada. The petition, sponsored by Conservative Party Member of Parliament (MP) Melissa Lantsman, defines Hinduphobia as anti-Hindu sentiment and seeks equal protection for Hindus in accordance with the Canadian Charter and Human Rights Codes. Several Hindu organizations, representing the approximately 850,000 Hindus in Canada, have written to Canadian MPs seeking their support for this initiative, citing concerns about rising Hinduphobia and security threats.
24-Oct-2023
The Khalsa Diwan Society in Vancouver and other Sikh societies in the British Columbia province of Canada wrote to India's External Affairs Minister (EAM), S. Jaishankar, on October 24, expressing concerns about the Indian government's visa changes affecting Canadian citizens. They highlighted the inconvenience caused to Canadian tourists and individuals with prior travel plans and requested the resumption of the visa process.
24-Oct-2023
According to sources, Khalistani groups in Canada planned to disrupt a Hindu community event on October 24 in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. These sources also mentioned that supporters of Khalistan intended to obstruct the Hindu event using vehicles, bring in protestors for a referendum in Surrey and Vancouver within the British Columbia province of Canada, and possibly burn effigies of Indian leaders as tensions escalated. These groups are utilizing radio stations to radicalize Sikh youth and are reportedly receiving support from various international locations, including the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), Italy, and Germany, to further their Khalistan-related goals within Canadian territory. Canadian authorities are hesitating to intervene, citing the issue as part of the ongoing tension between India and Sikhs while emphasizing freedom of speech.
23-Oct-2023
Pro-Khalistani elements, including supporters of the banned Khalistani terrorist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), on October 23 staged protests outside the Indian consulate in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They raised anti-India slogans during the demonstration, and photos and videos of the protest circulated widely on social media, bringing attention to their activities in the region.
22-Oct-2023
In an interview, the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Pierre Poilievre, criticized Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau, labelling him as 'incompetent' for damaging Canada's relations with India. He also stated that the PM is considered a 'laughing stock' in India. Poilievre pledged to repair these ties if he becomes the Prime Minister, highlighting Trudeau's divisive domestic policies and foreign relations missteps.
20-Oct-2023
Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau on October 20 expressed concerns over the Indian government's actions, stating that they are disrupting the lives of millions of people in both countries and violating diplomatic principles, while addressing a press conference in Brampton, Canada. Canada recently withdrew 41 diplomats in response to Indian threats following Trudeau's suggestion of Indian involvement in a murder, and the situation is expected to impact travel, trade, and Indian students studying in Canada. Canada now has 21 diplomats remaining in India.
17-Oct-2023
As of its closure on October 17, it has been reported that a petition, known as e-4507, aimed at having the House of Commons in Canada officially recognize ‘Hinduphobia’ as a term in the Human Rights Code glossary, had garnered over 25,000 signatures. This surpasses the minimum requirement of 500 signatures necessary for the petition to be brought to the government's attention for a response. The petition, sponsored by MP Melissa Lantsman, who serves as the deputy leader of the opposition Conservative Party in the House of Commons, was launched on July 19 and is categorized under Civil and Human Rights.
17-Oct-2023
According to reports, Khalistani sympathisers from the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK), have recently gathered in Vancouver, Canada, to showcase their collective strength, under the leadership of Amritbir Singh Cheema, a gangster of Jalandhar origin who is wanted in numerous cases in Punjab. Cheema has been residing in Canada since 2015 and has sought asylum there. Sources indicate that this group is also utilizing a radio program as a platform to radicalize individuals, with most of the callers hailing from California, US. An official said, “They have hired a radio station named Radio Punjab Vancouver for a daily two-hour show to radicalise people.” Local Sikhs have reportedly lodged complaints with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) concerning these activities. However, the RCMP has allegedly declined to take action, citing it as an internal matter between Khalistani groups and the Government of India.
17-Oct-2023
According to reports, pro-Khalistan terror outfit, Sikh For Justice (SFJ) announced a donation of USD 21,000 to support those impacted by the recent increase in violence in Gaza, which is linked to Israel's actions against Palestinians following a surprise attack by Hamas. This contribution was sent to the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees by the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia.
15-Oct-2023
A procession of vehicles, organized by pro-Khalistan elements, on October 15 paraded near the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey, British Columbia. They displayed posters of separatist leaders and chanted divisive slogans. Satish Kumar, who serves as the president of the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey, described this event as ‘intimidating,’ especially since it took place on a day when the temple was filled with devotees celebrating Navratri. Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau wished the Hindu community on Navratri festival.
13-Oct-2023
According to a Nanos Research poll conducted on behalf of CTV News, over 50 percent of Canadians are in favour of their country reducing tensions with India regarding the killing of Khalistani hardliner Hardeep Singh Nijjar and pursuing diplomatic negotiations. Roughly one in four respondents expressed a desire for Canada to intensify its investigation into the allegations, while approximately one in ten (11 percent) preferred Canada to exercise patience and take no immediate action. Residents in Quebec province displayed a greater inclination towards advocating for tension-reduction measures (65 percent) compared to those in British Columbia, where 50.3 percent favoured diplomatic talks.
12-Oct-2023
In an email to Canadian Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc on October 12, the Hindu Forum Canada (HFC) called upon the Canadian government to take swift action against pro-Khalistan extremist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for threatening Indian diplomats and consulates in G7 nations. Earlier, Pannun, the chief of banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) issued fresh threats after Indians turned up in huge numbers for a rally at Mel Lastman Square in Toronto on October 9.
11-Oct-2023
In a recent decision, Heidi Worsfold, a member of the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board tribunal, asserted that the Canadian government did not have reasonable grounds to deem Kamaljit Ram, an Indian citizen, inadmissible to enter Canada on the grounds of allegedly offering a 'safe house' and 'logistical support' to Khalistani militants. The immigration tribunal concluded that Kamaljit Ram, who provided shelter and food to armed Khalistani militants in India for over a decade, should be granted entry into Canada due to his actions being primarily driven by necessity and fear of potential retribution. Earlier, during his interview with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Ram disclosed that he had provided shelter and sustenance to armed Khalistani militants at his farm in India intermittently from 1982 to 1992. Additionally, he expressed his support for the principles advocated by the followers of the late Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a prominent figure in the pro-Khalistan movement, who advocated for the creation of a separate Sikh state.
11-Oct-2023
As per a report from the UK's Financial Times, amid the diplomatic dispute between Delhi and Ottawa, an informal discussion may have taken place between India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly in Washington DC, United States (US), last month. However, the Indian government has not provided any official statement regarding this meeting. Meanwhile, Canada has emphasized that its diplomatic interactions with India continue to be treated as "confidential," despite the fact that the deadline set by New Delhi for Ottawa to reduce its diplomatic representation in the country expired on October 10.
10-Oct-2023
A prominent member of the Indo-Canadian community, Ritesh Malik, who also serves as the National Convener for the Canada India Foundation, has expressed profound apprehension regarding the prevailing 'ecosystem' in Canada that has provided a platform for Khalistan extremists to resort to violence and intimidate those who oppose their ‘nefarious agendas.' In response to Justin Trudeau's contentious statement, Malik has cautioned that pursuing political appeasement for immediate benefits does not serve the long-term interests of Canada. Concerning the presence of Khalistan extremists in Canada, Malik has observed that these individuals actively foster divisions within society and disrupt communal harmony. He has accused them of pursuing a nefarious agenda and undermining the relationship between the two nations.
10-Oct-2023
According to reports, Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau is facing scrutiny for his perceived double standards on social media. While he has expressed disapproval of a rally commemorating the Hamas attack on Israel, his silence on pro-Khalistan rallies in Canada, which endorse violence towards India, has drawn criticism.
09-Oct-2023
Canadian activist Harsha Walia sparked controversy on October 9 by drawing parallels between the Palestinian and Khalistani movements during a pro-Palestinian protest rally in Vancouver in British Columbia province of Canada. She accused India and Israel of sharing military tactics and expressed solidarity with Palestine. However, her comments have been criticized for not condemning the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel and for using divisive rhetoric. Walia has a history of making Hinduphobic and anti-India statements, further fuelling tensions and polarizing discussions on these complex issues.