Canadian Sikh Group Condemns India Amid Allegations of Involvement in Activist's Murder
The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) has expressed deep concern following a report by The Globe and Mail, alleging that Indian consular officials in Vancouver were involved in the 2023 assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Canadian Sikh separatist activist. The report claims that Indian consular staff provided information that facilitated Nijjar's killing, implicating a visa officer believed to be associated with India's external intelligence agency, RAW. This officer allegedly gathered intelligence on Nijjar and passed it to another RAW officer in New Delhi, who then coordinated with the Bishnoi gang, a criminal group accused of various crimes in Canada.
The WSO has called this alleged involvement a "grave attack" on Canadian sovereignty and the safety of Sikh Canadians. They have urged Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to ensure that the investigation into Nijjar's murder extends beyond the gunmen to those who may have directed the killing, including potential officials within the Indian government. The call for a thorough investigation comes as Carney concluded a trip to India aimed at diversifying Canada's trade partnerships amid tensions with the United States.
India's Ministry of External Affairs has categorically denied any involvement in transnational violence or organized crime, labeling the allegations as baseless and politically motivated. Despite these denials, the issue has reignited concerns about Indian government interference in Canada, particularly among the Sikh community. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has been investigating potential involvement of Indian agents in serious criminal activities in Canada, including extortion and homicides, and has identified multiple credible threats to life against pro-Khalistan activists.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, while in New Delhi, reiterated Canada's commitment to addressing foreign interference and transnational repression. She highlighted that Canada has listed the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist group and is actively working on legislation to combat extortion and other related crimes. However, Anand refrained from commenting directly on the allegations related to Nijjar's case, citing the ongoing criminal investigation against the suspects involved in his murder.
Nijjar, who was the president of the Sikh gurdwara where he was killed, was a key figure in the Khalistan movement, advocating for a sovereign Sikh state in India's Punjab region. His assassination has been a point of contention between Canada and India, with former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau previously stating that his government was investigating credible allegations of a potential link between India and Nijjar's killing. This statement had led to a diplomatic crisis, with India strongly denying any involvement and accusing Canada of not adequately addressing the Khalistan movement, which it views as a national security threat.