KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
06-Oct-2023
Khalistani posters calling for the assassination of Indian diplomats in Canada resurfaced just two days after they were taken down at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurudwara in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. Canada's handling of the situation raises concerns about its alleged support for a secessionist movement, which could strain India-Canada bilateral relations.
05-Oct-2023
A spokesperson for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on October 5 revealed that one person has been arrested in Canada in connection with the desecration of temples that occurred on August 12 which took place in Surrey, British Columbia province, Canada, marking the first arrest related to the incident.
05-Oct-2023
According to sources, eight Sikh youths were arrested in Brampton, Canada, within a week, all facing firearm-related charges by local authorities. While some sources clarified that their arrests are not necessarily linked to Khalistani support, the arrests followed reports of shots fired in the area, with the youths found in possession of firearms. Reports also indicate that they are part of a drug and illegal weapon cartel.
05-Oct-2023
Three Punjabi-origin Canadians, Diljeet Brar, Mintu Sandhu alias Sukhjinderpal, and Jasdeep Devgan, were recently elected to the Manitoba provincial assembly in the Manitoba province of Canada. All three belong to the New Democratic Party (NDP). Brar won in Burrows, Sukhjinderpal in the Maples, and Devgan in McPhillips in Manitoba.
04-Oct-2023
A Peel Regional Police press release on October 4 stated that they have arrested around eight Sikh youths aged between 19 to 26 years identified as Jagdeep Singh, Ekamjot Randhawa, Manjinder Singh, Harpreet Singh, Ripanjot Singh, Japandeep Singh , Lovepreet Singh and Rajanpreet Singh in relation to possession of loaded, prohibited or restricted firearms in Brampton city in Ontario province of Canada.
04-Oct-2023
Canada's Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau has taken a more conciliatory approach, stating that they do not want to escalate tensions with India, and Foreign Minister Melanie Joly has expressed a desire for private talks with India. This shift in tone follows Trudeau's earlier accusation of Indian involvement in Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing, suggesting a recalibration of Canada's stance to ease diplomatic tensions. Justin Trudeau's softened response can be attributed to India's decision to ask 41 Canadian diplomats to leave by October 10, prompting a more diplomatic approach from Canada's PM.
02-Oct-2023
A Sikh youth organization, Misl Winnipeg, located in Winnipeg, Canada, has expressed concerns about potential gang activity, following the fatal shooting of Sukhdool Singh Gill alias Sukha Duneke. Gill had been accused by Indian police of involvement in criminal activities in India. His death occurred shortly after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mentioned credible allegations connecting India to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, Canada. The Sikh community in Winnipeg, which was shocked by Gill's murder, is hoping to address any rise in gang-related issues through community initiatives and education, should the need arise.
30-Sep-2023
Ujjal Dev Dosanjh, first Indian-origin minister of Canada, in an interview, criticized Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Trudeau for not taking a stronger stance against Khalistani extremism. He stated that India's concerns were legitimate due to the conduct of the Canadian government. Dosanjh also mentioned the historical background of Khalistan-related activities dating back to the 1970s, along with allegations of funding from Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
29-Sep-2023
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, has confirmed that the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar is currently under active investigation. Nijjar, the head of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was killed in Surrey in June 2023.
29-Sep-2023
According to a report by the National Post, Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead in June 2023, had written a letter to Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau in 2016, denying the Indian government's claims that he was a terrorist.
28-Sep-2023
Members of the Indian diaspora in Canada on September 28 criticized Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau's allegations against India regarding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar as ‘extremely irresponsible, in Brampton, Canada. They expressed their belief that Trudeau could have used more diplomatic channels and rephrased his statement to avoid negatively impacting the Hindu and Sikh communities.
28-Sep-2023
Canadian YouTuber Nancy Grewal, in a YouTube video on September 28, criticized Khalistani terrorist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. She accused him of being an agent of Pakistan's Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) and questioned his intentions to break India, all while owning luxury properties in the United States (US) and Canada. Grewal urged Pannun to come to India to voice his demands if he truly believes in them. She also called on Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau to refrain from promoting a separatist agenda in India.
28-Sep-2023
Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau, on September 28, expressed confidence that United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken would address the issue of alleged Indian involvement in the murder during his meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He also affirmed Canada's commitment to building closer ties with India, despite Canada’s allegations of Indian government involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Trudeau emphasized the importance of constructive engagement with India, citing its growing global significance in terms of economics and geopolitics.
28-Sep-2023
According to a report from Vancouver Sun, a man was arrested on September 28 for vandalizing the Laxmi Narayan and Bhameshwari temples in Surrey, British Columbia in Canada.
27-Sep-2023
In a recent interview, senior Canadian journalist Terry Milewski questioned why proponents of Khalistan aren't seeking a share of the Sikh Empire's territory, which now lies within Pakistan's borders. He highlighted the historical significance of Lahore, once the capital of the Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and suggested that these regions of Pakistan should be considered integral to any Khalistan claims. Milewski also accused Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau of following in his father's footsteps by supporting Khalistani extremists and pointed out Pakistan's potential involvement in the Khalistan movement.
27-Sep-2023
According to sources, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) investigation has revealed that Canada-based gangster and Khalistani terrorist Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dala, along with Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, facilitated the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) by providing target details, arranging weapons, sending terror funds through the Money Transfer Service Scheme (MTSS) channels, and raising funds through extortion. The funds extorted from victims were sent to Arsh in Canada through hawala operators. The recruits apprehended by security agencies were part of a conspiracy to kidnap and kill individuals of other faiths to advance KTF's terror agenda in Punjab. The investigation identified a group of individuals residing abroad, specifically in Canada, the United States, and Pakistan, including Lakhbir Singh alias Landa; Arsh Dala; Harinder Sandhu alias Rinda; Satwinder Singh alias Goldy Brar; Warring alias Raman Judge; Charnjit Singh alias Rinku Bihla; Sanawer Dhillon; Gurpinder Singh alias Baba Dalla; Gaurav Patyal alias Lucky; and Anmol Bishno. They are involved in various criminal activities.
27-Sep-2023
According to reports, Gurmeet Singh Toor was warned on August 24 about threats to his life in a document titled 'Duty to Warn' by the Surrey Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. Toor is a senior member of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara and a close associate of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead in June 2023. The document was made public by the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), but it did not provide specific details about the threat.
26-Sep-2023
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on September 26 refuted claims of a delay in their initial response to the fatal shooting of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. They stated that their officers reached the scene within four minutes of the incident, contrary to a Washington Post report. The RCMP also clarified that they were the jurisdictional police responsible for the investigation and denied any conflict with Surrey Police.
26-Sep-2023
According to sources, pro-Khalistani elements in Canada have reportedly been luring young individuals from Punjab by sponsoring visas for medium-skilled jobs, such as religious duties in gurudwaras controlled by them. Slain Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and others are said to have established a network that provides shelter and low-wage jobs to illegal immigrants and Indian students. These individuals are subsequently indoctrinated into the separatist movement, leading to anti-India activities, including protests and religious gatherings. It was also previously reported that the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) was alleged to charge fees for issuing letters that falsely claim religious persecution to support political asylum applications in Canada.
26-Sep-2023
The Hindu Forum Canada on September 26 sent a letter to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Marc Miller, requesting an investigation into Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), for promoting hate in a recent video targeting Hindu Canadians of Indian origin. They urged the IRCC to consider deeming Pannun 'inadmissible' to Canada, emphasizing the need to address Khalistani elements promoting hate speech. The video was released following Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau's statement regarding potential links between Indian agents and Khalistani figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Pannun's comments in the video led to concerns within the Hindu community and prompted calls for Canada to address hate speech and incitement of violence within its borders.