KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
25-Sep-2023
Chandra Arya, a Member of Parliament (MP) from Canada's Liberal Party, in an interview on September 25 expressed concerns over the safety of Hindu Canadians following threats issued by Khalistan extremists. Arya, who is a member of Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau's party, cited three reasons for this fear: the violent history of the Khalistan movement, the recent public celebration of the assassination of former Indian PM Indira Gandhi in Toronto, and threats made by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun against Hindu Canadians. He also emphasized that while most Sikh Canadians do not support Khalistan, there is a close integration between Hindu and Sikh Canadians. However, he noted that a small fraction of the population supports extremism.
25-Sep-2023
According to an Indian official, India has suspended visa services for Canadian nationals, but it has clarified that the suspension does not impact applications for fresh Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards. While there was initial confusion regarding the eligibility of recent Canadian citizens or individuals of Indian origin to apply for new OCI cards, Indian officials have stated that the suspension is only for visa services and does not affect OCI services.
25-Sep-2023
Khalistan supporters in Canada on September 25 organized protests outside the Indian mission in Toronto, in response to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's recent statement, suggesting a potential connection between India and the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Approximately 100 protesters symbolically burned the Indian flag and expressed their dissatisfaction by striking a cardboard cut-out representing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a shoe.
25-Sep-2023
On September 25, approximately 75 Khalistan supporters rallied outside the Consul General of India in Vancouver, Canada. They were denouncing the Indian government's alleged involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar by stepping on a large Indian flag, which was placed on wet ground. The World Sikh Organization (WSO) issued a pre-emptive warning about the potential for 'incitement and interference' and urged vigilance. WSO President Tejinder Singh Sidhu also called for efforts to locate the individuals responsible for Nijjar's murder.
25-Sep-2023
Around 100 Khalistan supporters demonstrated outside the Indian High Commissioner's office in Ottawa, Canada, where they displayed yellow flags emblazoned with the term ‘Khalistan’ on September 25.
25-Sep-2023
On September 25, Indian diplomatic missions in Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver, Canada, were barricaded and security was increased due to calls for protests by the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). SFJ called for the protests to raise awareness about India's alleged involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and demanded the expulsion of the Indian ambassador to Canada.
25-Sep-2023
According to reports, rivalries among pro-Khalistan gangs in Canada have intensified, resulting in violent clashes and killings, including the recent murder of Sukhdool Singh alias Sukha Duneke. These gangsters often collaborate with pro-Khalistan operatives in Canada, allegedly funded by the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikh For Justice (SFJ), engaging in illegal activities like money laundering, drug trade, and extortion. Despite Indian concerns, the Canadian government has been criticized for not taking substantial action against these elements, with Canada being a safe haven for wanted criminals and sympathizers of the Khalistan movement.
25-Sep-2023
According to sources, Pro-Khalistan elements in Canada, including Hardeep Singh Nijjar, have allegedly been recruiting Punjabi youths through visa sponsorship for low-skilled jobs and religious duties in the gurdwaras they control. Once these youths are in Canada, they are reportedly influenced to support the separatist movement, organize anti-India protests, and participate in radical religious congregations. This human trafficking channel is viewed as an effort to bolster Khalistani support in Canada and has raised concerns about how Canadian agencies handle these pro-Khalistan elements on their soil.
25-Sep-2023
According to a 2018 Canadian report by the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP), the Canadian government had been investigating the alleged involvement of Indian intelligence agencies in the country for several years before the death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This revelation comes amid the ongoing diplomatic dispute between India and Canada, which was triggered by Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau's claim of a 'potential link' between the Indian government and Nijjar's killing. The report also highlights the strained relations between India and Canada due to the presence of Khalistan movement supporters and the increasing acceptance of anti-India elements under Trudeau's government.
25-Sep-2023
According to a source from an Indian intelligence agency, there are approximately 250 gurdwaras in Canada, with eight reportedly controlled by Khalistani groups, primarily located in Surrey, British Columbia, Brampton, Abbotsford, and certain areas in Toronto. These groups have an estimated 10,000 Sikhs with Khalistani sympathies, including 5,000 hardcore supporters. The Khalistani presence in Canada has been a source of tension in India-Canada relations, with allegations and counter-allegations regarding support for anti-India activities. In Canada, there are several gurdwaras with reported Khalistani influences, including: Guru Nanak Sikh Temple Gurudwara in Surrey, British Columbia Province; Sikh Gurdwaras Council and Dixie Gurudwara in Ontario Province of Canada. Additionally, there are Sikh organizations like the World Sikh Organisation (WSO), which are seen as promoting the Khalistani narrative in Canada and have influential members in various fields, including politics and the judiciary. International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF), Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Khalistani Zindabad Force (KZF), Khalistani Liberation Force (KLF), Khalistani Commando Force (KCF), Khalistani Tiger Force (KTF), and Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) are various Khalistani organizations with operatives in Western countries, including Canada.
25-Sep-2023
According to sources, posters threatening harm to Indian diplomats outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, where Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed, have reportedly been removed due to pressure from local authorities. The removal is seen as a gesture to convey a positive message to India amid escalating tensions between Ottawa and New Delhi over Nijjar's murder and allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trudeau alleged a link between Nijjar's killing and the expulsion of an Indian diplomat, leading to diplomatic actions, including expulsions and downsizing of missions by both countries.
25-Sep-2023
According to reports, Khalistani supporters on September 25 shouted anti-India slogans, tore the Indian flag, and even struck a cut-out of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi with shoes during their protest demonstrations, which took place outside the Indian High Commission in Ottawa and the consulates in Toronto and Vancouver, Canada.
25-Sep-2023
A Washington Post report on September 25 featured statements from various witnesses and security camera footage from the gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. The footage revealed that Hardeep Singh Nijjar was targeted with approximately 50 bullets, 34 of which hit him. According to the report, the murder involved a group of at least six individuals and two vehicles. The security footage, spanning 90 seconds, shows Nijjar's gray truck being pursued by a white sedan, which ultimately blocked his path. Two hooded men emerged from the sedan, pointed firearms at Nijjar, and fled the scene after the shooting. Malkit Singh, a Gurdwara committee member, pursued the assailants through a park, describing them as wearing Sikh attire and fleeing in a silver car with three other individuals.
24-Sep-2023
The banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) planned to protest at Indian diplomatic missions in Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver on September 25, denouncing what they perceive as India's involvement in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The protest is expected to be peaceful but could lead to increased security measures and local disruptions near the protest sites.
24-Sep-2023
A joint statement by the Ontario Gurdwaras Committee and the British Columbia Gurdwaras Council urged political parties in Canada to unite against possible foreign interference related to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau's announcement of a potential link between Nijjar's death and the Indian government has sparked investigations and debates. Various political leaders have expressed concerns and called for more information regarding the case.
24-Sep-2023
According to sources, the United States (US) has reportedly provided intelligence assistance to Canada regarding the death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. However, Canada independently gathered the core intelligence that connects Nijjar's killing to India, specifically intercepting communications of Indian diplomats and officials. This situation places the US in a delicate position as it navigates its relations with its treaty ally, Canada, and its key partner, India, amid diplomatic tensions.
24-Sep-2023
Ujjal Dosanjh, a former Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) and the former Premier of British Columbia, in an interview, expressed concerns about the strained India-Canada relationship. He attributed these tensions to Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau's alleged support for Sikh extremists. Dosanjh also expressed doubts about the Khalistani movement in Canada spilling over into India and emphasized the importance of distinguishing between the Sikh community and separatist elements in Canadian politics.
23-Sep-2023
According to reports, British Columbia (BC) Premier David Eby expressed suspicions that the Canadian federal government is withholding crucial information related to the alleged link between the Indian government and the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He noted frustration after a briefing with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) director due to a lack of concrete information, emphasizing the need for better information sharing between federal and provincial governments.
23-Sep-2023
According to sources, Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was involved in running terrorist training camps, funding terror acts, and engaging in illegal activities such as drug smuggling and extortion in Canada. Nijjar was a close associate of Gurdeep Singh, alias Deepa Heranwala, who was involved in the killing of around 200 people in Punjab during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Nijjar reportedly trained youths at a terror camp in the British Columbia province of Canada and operated as the 'Operation Chief' of the Khalistani terror outfit Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF). In 2012, Nijjar visited Pakistan and collaborated with Jagtar Singh Tara, the leader of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), a banned Khalistani terror outfit. Tara provided Nijjar with arms training and instructions on assembling Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) over two years. Nijjar also sent PKR 1 million to Tara during their association.
22-Sep-2023
Canada's Public Safety Minister, Dominic LeBlanc, and Emergency Preparedness Minister, Harjit Sajjan, on September 22 condemned the offensive and hateful video created by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who is the chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). The video targeted Hindu Canadians, and they both emphasized the importance of safety and inclusion for all.