KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
16-Mar-2020
The Khalsa Day Parade in Surrey, British Columbia in Canada, organised by Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar, was cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak. Gurudwaras in Canada, Australia and at other countries have also decided not to hold big gatherings.
10-Feb-2020
The convicted Khalistani terrorist, Jaspal Atwal was arrested in Surrey in British Columbia, Canada. According to the sources, Atwal allegedly threatened his former Media Waves Radio manager Ashiana Khan while she was having dinner with a small group of people at the Civic Hotel at 13475 Central Ave in Surrey. This is at least the second time Atwal has been arrested since he made international headlines for being part of Trudeau’s India visit in 2018. He was also once a member of the Khalistani militant group, International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF), which has been designated a terror entity by the Canadian government.
13-Jan-2020
According to reports, after the ban on pro-Khalistan group Sikh for Justice (SFJ), the group has formed a new faction named 'SFJ International'. Some foreign journalists were also included in to the new SFJ International faction to give impetus to the activities of 'Referendum2020' against India.It is also reported that Pakistan’s ISI has set up centers in Spain, Canada and Thailand to fund SFJ International.
02-Sep-2019
Canada’s Liberal MP, Ramesh Sangha, who represents Ontario’s Brampton Centre riding, criticised that his party has been “pandering” to Sikh separatists, threatening Canada’s relations with India in the process. Indian officials have previously accused the Liberals of trying to win favour with Canadians pushing for an independent Sikh homeland - Khalistan - in the Punjab region of India.
18-Aug-2019
Even though hundreds of protesters were bused into Toronto by pro-Pakistan and Khalistani groups as the city hosted its India Day Parade on August 18, an efficient and visible police presence at the venue prevented violence at the venue, barring minor scuffles.Over a thousand protesters, many bused in from various parts of the Greater Toronto Area or GTA, arrived at the venue, Nathan Philips Square, but were prevented from causing any disturbance within the area and were restricted to the periphery by Toronto Police. The India Day Parade is the signature celebration in Canada marking Independence, and attracts nearly 50,000 visitors each year. This year, though, Indian officials were concerned as Kashmir separatists joined hands with Khalistanis to protest the abrogation of Article 370 by Parliament.
30-Dec-2018
The Canadian Member of Parliament [MP] from Brampton City—Ramesh Sangha said that the Khalistan extremism in Canada is only propagating through Social-Media platform—Facebook, and has no strong ground. About 1-2 percent of people from Punjabi community who are based in Canada, talks about the Khalistan or its propaganda; and they make a lot noise about it which gives a perception to outer world that the demand of Khalistan emerges from Canada. But, Canada’s internal security mechanism does keep a watch on all such extremist activities and makes sure that these people remain within limits, said MP Sangha. The Canadian MP Sangha is also a Chairperson of ‘Canada-India Parliamentary Friendship Association [C-IPFA]’ Group.
23-Jun-2018
Paying the tribute to the 329 victims of 1985 Air India bombing Kanishka Flight 182, the Canadian PM Justin Trudeau marked it as the ‘single worst terrorist attack’ in Canada’s history. “The Air India bombing remains the single worst terrorist attack in Canada’s history. This horrific act of malice and destruction left families and friends grieving the loss of loved ones, and brought pain that will never completely go away,” said PM Trudeau. “Canada condemns all forms of terrorism. We stand in solidarity with our allies, and the international community in the ongoing fight to prevent radicalisation and fight terrorism at home and abroad. On behalf of the Government of Canada, I extend my condolences to everyone everywhere who has lost loved ones to terrorism. We also thank and honour those who work each day to keep our citizens, communities, and country safe,” said PM Trudeau. The British Columbia Supreme Court judge and a public inquiry later found that the bombings were carried out by the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI)—a Sikh terrorist outfit, headed by former Burnaby mill worker Talwinder Singh Parmar. Air India Flight 182, bound for London after picking up passengers in Toronto and Montreal, vanished from the radar off the coast of Ireland on June 23, 1985. A bomb planted on the plane exploded on board, killing all 329 persons on board, including 280 Canadians.
26-Apr-2018
The Canadian Police has freed Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Khalistani terrorist, after 24 hours without any charges being filed against him. Nijjar was arrested on April 13 by the Surrey unit of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). He was released after 24 hours with no charges filed against him. The RCMP spokesperson declined to comment on this case as the organisation does not speak anything on the on-going investigation or in the case where no charges were filed.
08-Mar-2018
Over his controversial appearance with Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s wife Sophie Trudeau at an event organised during Canadian PM’s visit to India, the former Khalistani militant Jaspal Atwal talked to the media through his lawyer’s office in Canada and apologised and stated that he does not support the demand of an independent Sikh nation—commonly known as ‘Khalistan’, anymore. Over his appearance at the event, several questions were raised about his connection with PM Trudeau and security lapses on how he was invited at the event. “I am sorry for the embarrassment caused to Canada, India, my community and my family, in this matter. I have done best to redeem myself and done best for the Canada and the Indian community. I, no longer, advocate the idea of ‘Khalistan’ or an independent Sikh nation. Like majority of Sikhs, I have reconciled with the nation of India. Canada is my home and India is my homeland, said Jaspal Atwal.
12-May-2017
The Indian Government has lodged a strong protest with Canada over the presence of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a Khalistan event in Toronto, where separatist elements were felicitated. "We have taken up such issues in the past with the government of Canada, and in this particular instance, without getting into details, I can tell you the practice has not been discontinued," said MEA spokesperson Gopal Baglay. Two legislators, who had authored a motion in the Ontario assembly terming the 1984 anti-Sikh riots 'Genocide', were felicitated at the Khalistan event.
04-May-2007
Khalistani militants had in 1986 threatened to kill then Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and blow up the Toronto subway system, according to just declassified documents before the Air India inquiry commission. An anonymous letter received by police in early July 1986 laid out the terrorist attacks that would unfold if Talwinder Singh Parmar, who mastermind the Kanishka bombing which left 329 people dead, and others in jail at the time were not released.
06-Jun-2001
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police arrested Inderjit Singh Reyat in connection with the bombing of Air-India flight 182 on June 23, 1985, and the intended bombing, in 1985, of Air-India flight 301. At the time of his arrest, Reyat was serving the final two days of a 10-year sentence for manslaughter and explosive charges, relating to a 1985-bombing at New Tokyo international airport in Japan, in which two persons were killed.
04-Dec-1980
The Council of Khalistan opens an office in Toronto , Canada. It claims to have membership of around 1700 people in Canada and 400 in West Germany. Surjan Singh Gill named the in-charge of the Vancouver branch (headquarters of Council of Khalistan). Propaganda pamphlets, Khalistan Dollar currency, postage stamps, and passports circulated.