Bharat Hindus Human Rights Khalistan Pakistan

Khalistani Terror Propaganda Put Bharat, US on Edge

Free run given to SFJ that equated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Iran’s Khamenei reflect insensitivity of US & Canada. N. C. Bipindra Latest provocative images and videos posted on social media by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) have triggered a controversy intersecting free speech, diaspora politics, territorial integrity, global diplomacy and international relations. SFJ frames its posts and messages as a free speech exercise asserting democratic rights within United States. But, the content portraying Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi alongside Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei killed in airstrikes by US and Israel on February 28, 2026 is of serious concern. Such messaging not only constitutes indecency and insensitivity but crosses limits and enters the realm of hostile propaganda, incitement of violence, deliberate misinformation and intolerable provocation. US authorities, particularly President Donald Trump, who calls Modi his good friend, should not turn a blind eye to such provocative content. For New Delhi, such freedom to propagate violence against India’s elected prime minister on US soil should have potential consequences for India-US relations. To understand why the SFJ’s post and its contents are contentious and objectionable, it is important to consider both the nature of messaging and broader political context in which the proscribed terrorist organisation operates. SFJ has no ground support in India, particularly the Sikh-majority Punjab province, but it operates freely in US and neighbouring Canada with impunity. SFJ advocates balkanisation of India, in particular, creation of imaginary Khalistan, a proposed independent theocratic Sikh state carved out of only Indian territories. An illegal Khalistan map that SFJ has released in last few years conveniently ignores territories that are now part of Pakistan but were historically ruled by Sikh emperors. But, the map includes present-day Indian provinces of Punjab, Haryana, Sikh-majority areas of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh with Shimla as its future capital. The reasons for not claiming Pakistan’s Punjab and other provinces that were part of the erstwhile Sikh kingdom’s rule are not so difficult to fathom. Trump administration and Mark Carney government must read two key research reports released by US-based Hudson Institute and Canada-based Macdonald-Laurier Institute (MLI). Hudson Institute’s ‘Destabilisation Playbook: Khalistan Separatist Activism within the US’ authored by Aparna Pande, Husain Haqqani, C. Christine Fair and others present two main arguments that warrant attention of Trump administration. The Hudson Institute’s September 2021 report calls for investigations into Khalistani groups’ activities in US noting that these were directly involved in numerous terror attacks around the world including 1985 Air India’s ‘Kanishka’ bombing that left 329 people including Canadians dead and to shed reluctance to act on intelligence provided by India. MLI’s September 2020 report authored by senior Canadian journalist Terry Milewski, titled ‘Khalistan: A Project of Pakistan’ argues that the separatist movement was designed to subvert national security of both Canada and India, a serious threat that Carney’s government should be vigilant about. Those two reports would help Western democracies that are open to understand dangers of allowing SFJ and self-styled general counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun to be haughty. SFJ was banned in India in 2019 for threatening its sovereignty and territorial integrity. But, US and Canada are inviting such treacherous tendencies to grow within their territory without realising that the snake they feed would come back to bite them tomorrow, if not today. Indian proscription notwithstanding, SFJ continues to hold farcical “referendums” in US, Canada United Kingdom and Australia attempting to mobilise sections of Sikh diaspora around Khalistani cause. The latest social posts along with a video shared by SFJ are controversial due to their tone, tenor and intent. Equating Modi with Ali Khamenei is a clear attempt to draw parallels between a democratically elected popular leader of India and head of a theocratic state, often regarded as adversarial to West, particularly the US. This can’t be just criticism of Indian government or simply free speech, but rather a deliberate bid to delegitimise and demonise the Indian state, its political leadership and 1.4 billion Indians before the global audience and calling for destablising India through elimination of its prime minister or overthrowing the existing regime. Hudson Institute and Macdonald-Laurier Institute reports point to “playbook” and “project” against India, its political leadership and its people. In particular, use of “India’s Khamenei Alive” slogan juxtaposed with reference to Iran’s Ali Khamenei is a calculated attempt to evoke hostility, suspicion in US to frame India as a strategic adversary of West alongside Iran. Contrasting the phrase “Iran’s Khamenei dead” with “India’s Khamenei alive” is suggestive and goes beyond political free speech and commentary. It stops short of an explicit call to assassinate Indian prime minister. It normalises the idea of dastardly outcomes that can be interpreted as endorsement or glorification which is more troubling. Such rhetoric in democratic societies may not meet strict legal threshold for incitement but is nonetheless considered irresponsible and potentially vicious. SFJ’s post escalates issue by portraying India as an “enemy” of US. This messaging contradicts reality of India-US ties that have grown into a comprehensive strategic partnership since 2007 encompassing defence cooperation, economic ties and shared strategic interests in Indo-Pacific region grounded in values common to both nations. SFJ’s narrative-building is an attempt to influence public opinion and policy discourse in the West particularly United States. This messaging is sensitive, as it weaponises diaspora activism to advance geopolitical perceptions. The objection to such content is rooted in broader pattern associated with SFJ activities. Over the years, the proscribed fringe outfit has carried on inflammatory and divisive campaigns from controversial slogans to provocative demonstrations at Khalistan-related events. Its members have defaced Hindu temples in US and attacked Indian diplomatic missions. These actions have regularly pushed the boundaries of acceptable political expression and free speech. While some such instances have drawn condemnation in host nations, they highlight the fine line between activism and provocation that governments such as Trump’s and Carney’s should be mindful of. The US may have protection for free speech under First Amendment in its Constitution, but highly offensive and objectionable messages directly incite violence and

Bharat Canada Hindus Khalistan Pakistan Security

Canada’s Khalistan Terror, A Line Has Been Crossed

Press Release Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies (CIHS) condemns cold blooded murder of Nancy Grewal in LaSalle, Ontario on March 3, 2026 and urges Canadian federal authorities to treat this case with full weight of counter-terrorism laws. She was targeted. She was a vocal critic of Khalistani extremism. A social media account affiliated with Khalistani extremist networks claimed responsibility and issued further threats. Whatever the final forensic verdict, her killing has been deployed as an instrument of intimidation and Canada’s silence is deafening. We must be precise: Khalistani extremists are not Sikhs. They do not represent Punjab. Sikh faith is a great Bharatiya civilizational tradition and Punjab is a pluralist region. Collapsing both into separatist terrorism insults millions and provides cover for Khalistani terrorists and their backers, a transnational intimidation group built on threats, diaspora coercion and violent silencing of dissent. This is not a foreign import. The 1985 bombing of Air India Flight 182, Kanishka, killed 329 people. It was planned and executed on Canadian soil by Khalistani extremists operating out of British Columbia. It remains the deadliest terrorist attack ever carried out on Canadian soil. That atrocity produced no lasting reckoning and forty years later the institutional tolerance that enabled it persists. Canada already lists Khalistani affiliates like Babbar Khalsa International and International Sikh Youth Federation as terrorist entities. Its own 2025 terrorist-financing assessment confirms these networks receive domestic financial support. Many organisations have flagged Pakistani intelligence using anti-India proxies and criminal syndicates on Canadian soil. Yet successive governments from Pierre Trudeau’s bloc-vote immigration calculus to Justin Trudeau’s willful blindness, enabled by Jagmeet Singh’s equivocation have treated this as a community-relations problem rather than a security emergency. Grewal’s murder is not an isolated incident. It is consequence of four decades of political cowardice. CIHS urges Parliament and RCMP to act decisively. Canada must choose to protect its citizens not look away in inaction.

Radicalised Khalistanis, a Canadian Problem

Canada Khalistan Pakistan Security Sikh

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Radicalised Khalistanis, a Canadian Problem

For years Canada’s mainstream parties have courted Sikh immigrants to win votes. Now, they pander to Khalistani extremists for political gains. Rahul Pawa As Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Canada for the G7 summit, an unsettling scene greeted international media: young children brandished “Khalistan” flags and even defaced a Hindu temple in Surrey with secessionist graffiti. These images of toddlers taught to chant separatist slogans sparked outrage in India and around the world. Spokesman Sudeep Singh of the revered Patna Sahib Gurudwara, the birthplace of the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji warned that “the way children were used in the protests is highly condemnable”. Similarly, Sikh seminary leader Sarchand Singh Khyala condemned the videos as “spreading hatred by brainwashing children”. Dressed-up flags and violent symbols at public parades horrify many Sikhs abroad who see these stunts as political theatre, not Sikhism. Mainstream Sikh leaders make the same point: Khalistanis in Canada are a tiny fringe, not the Sikh community. In late realization of sorts, former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has emphasized, “many supporters of Khalistan in Canada… do not represent the Sikh community as a whole.” Leading Sikh voices echo this. Jasdip Singh Jassee of Sikhs of America reminds Americans that “the vast majority of Sikhs globally, including in the US and Canada, do not support separatist agendas.” In India, religious seats like Takht Patna Sahib and Damdami Taksal have publicly denounced the protests. Their message is unequivocal: the Khalistan protesters are not Sikh martyrs. Patna Sahib’s spokesman notes that all of Sikhism’s pending issues are being resolved in India, so “there should not be such protests” against PM Modi “no Sikh can tolerate this.” In fact, these Khalistani stunts run directly counter to Sikh teachings. Sikhism emphasises service and harmony not hate or violence. Provincial Sikh leaders emphasise, “Sikhs have protected mandirs (Hindu temples)” as their sacred Dharmic duty. Yet last April in Surrey, vandals scrawled “Khalistan” on the pillars of Shree Lakshmi Narayana Mandir. This hate-crime – denounced by the temple as “an attack on a sacred space” would deeply sadden ordinary Sikhs. Jasdip Jassee said it was “disgusting” that extremists chose Diwali (a Sikh-protected festival) to vandalise a mandir, calling it “shameful” and against Sikh values. Similarly, Damdami Taksal (a mainstream Sikh seminary) has openly criticised Canadians who use children to insult India’s PM, saying these pro-Khalistan people “are spewing venom against India”. These Sikh authorities unanimously emphasise that Khalistan is not a Sikh cause and certainly not one worth teaching to children. On the contrary, Sikhism is deeply Dharmic and Indian. From the Punjabi heartland to global diaspora Sikhs celebrate their faith’s founder Guru Nanak and their tenets of service (seva) and protection. India’s own armed forces and civil institutions reflect Sikh contributions: for example, Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh (a Sikh) was made India’s first Air Force Field Marshal, and Sikh generals have led the Army in multiple wars. Sikh entrepreneurs, scholars and saints likewise uplifted Indian society. For modern Sikhs, the idea of carving out a separate nation feels alien only a “microscopic” minority even entertains it. A former Punjab Chief Secretary notes that hardcore Khalistani ideologues are “not even one per cent” of Sikh population while many others view Khalistan more as a business or polarising narrative. Polls agree Punjab elections show pro-Khalistan candidates picking up well under 1 – 2 per cent of votes in Sikh-majority districts. In short, the Khalistan idea has virtually no grassroots support back in India; it lives on only in select pockets abroad. So why does the Khalistan fringe loom so large in Canada? The answer lies in Canadian diaspora politics and foreign meddling. For years Canada’s mainstream parties have courted Sikh immigrants to win votes, often ignoring their excesses. Observers note a growing consensus among all Canadian parties to pander to Khalistan sympathies for electoral gain. Minister S. Jaishankar put it bluntly: by giving radical Sikhs impunity, “the Canadian government… is repeatedly showing that its vote bank is more powerful than its rule of law.” Veteran broadcaster Terry Milewski described it as a dirty deal: Canadian MPs attend Sikh parades and “look the other way” at posters of terrorists, in exchange for “10,000 votes… because the people of the gurdwaras will vote as we tell them”. In such a climate, small separatist groups found refuge on Canadian soil under the banner of free speech. Worse, intelligence services have cynically empowered them. Indian officials repeatedly assert that Pakistan’s ISI funds the Khalistani network in Canada. Union Minister Hardeep Puri openly called protestors “kiraye ke tattu” (mercenaries on hire) whose demonstrations were staged “from the neighbouring country [Pakistan] where they get funding.” Security analysts back this up, several top analysts observe that these activists have their own underworld and are often involved in deadly gang rivalries and are essentially “helping Pakistanis spend whatever remains of their money”. Indeed, he warns that Sikh extremists in Canada “will continue to be funded and fuelled by the ISI”. Put bluntly, this looks less like a grass-roots Sikh movement than a criminal-intelligence network. It is a problem imported into Canada by a hostile state, not spawned by Sikh communities. The political consequences in Canada have been dramatic. In the 2025 federal elections, Jagmeet Singh, NDP leader who long voiced support for Sikh protesters, saw his party collapse. Singh lost his own seat and announced he would step down as leader. Earlier, in September 2024, Singh had even “ripped up” his confidence-and-supply deal with Trudeau’s “Liberals”, erasing the government majority he once helped engineer. Meanwhile Trudeau’s gamble backfired. As Sikh ally Singh turned on him, Trudeau’s Liberals barely clung to power under newcomer Mark Carney. By early 2025 Trudeau himself resigned as a result of his Khalistan miscalculation. In short, Ottawa’s flirtation with diaspora extremism not only frayed Canada-India ties, it torpedoed the careers of Western politicians. Against this turmoil, Sikhs have reaffirmed their core values. Sikh institutions wasted no time republishing lessons of unity. Damdami Taksal’s Sarchand

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NYT Faulters, Khalistanis Go Beserk

Indian security concerns cannot be reflected from Khalistani terror lens. Rohan Giri Is it reasonable for reputed media platforms like The New York Times to arrive at conclusion even before piece the facts? In her recent piece, “Sikh Activists See It as Freedom. India Calls It Terrorism,” Anupreeta Das paints the Indian response to Khalistani extremists’ movement as ‘overtly harsh and not based on genuine security concerns’. The writer avers that Indian position against Khalistanis was overtly influenced by Hindu nationalist motives rather than security concerns. A closer look at the article reveals limited scope of investigation, relying on selected sources that shaped public perception in a skewed way. By referring to select incidents, individuals, the write up risks simplifying a complex geopolitical issue, missing both historical and current context needed for a well-rounded understanding. Emphasis on Canadian, US Perspectives The article opens by focusing on Canadian and US claims of assassination plots against a terrorist thereby implying that India’s responses were excessive as “Khalistan movement” was regarded as a bygone issue. The New York Times or Anupreeta Das presented evidence to conclude that Indian government had any role in assassinations. The write up also seem to have ignored the nuanced and ongoing nature of Khalistan issue within and beyond India’s borders. Khalistan-linked activities have not disappeared into thin air and Indian officials are cautious about connections between separatist groups, criminal elements and terror networks—connections that merit thorough analysis rather than dismissal as nationalism-driven rhetoric. Findings from Indian and international intelligence agencies point to violent but fringe Khalistani elements receiving support, both material and ideological, from Pakistan, particularly through the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), known for its dirty tricks to destabilize India. This interlinked dynamic, often referred to as “bleed India with a thousand cuts” strategy is noted in several independent reports. Overlooking this context leaves out a significant geopolitical layer in the discussion. What about Khalistan-Linked Violence? One striking omission is the absence of data on violent history of Khalistan movement and its continued association with criminal activities. 1980s and 1990s saw that Punjab was virtually torn apart by extremist violence with thousands of civilians, law enforcement personnel and officials impacted by Khalistani terrorism. Ignoring these historical facts reduces the weight of ongoing vigilance against terrorist movements. By leaving out the history of violence and its effect on Punjab’s socio-economic landscape, the article doesn’t fully address why the Indian government views the Khalistan issue as a legitimate security concern. Indian law enforcement including National Investigation Agency (NIA), reports that recent crimes tied to Khalistan include drug trafficking, gang violence and extortion contributing to Punjab’s drug crisis. A 2023 NIA report estimated that drug-related crimes in Punjab make up nearly 60 per cent of all drug cases nationwide, underscoring seriousness of the issue and suspected role of Khalistani networks. The absence of such statistics paint an incomplete picture of the government’s concerns. Cherry Picking of Experts The NYT article relies heavily on selective quotes from experts and analysts who cast India’s approach as extreme or unjust. For instance, statements from Gunisha Kaur on purported targeting of Sikhs under national security are included without broader context of the debate. By emphasizing voices critical of India’s measures against separatism, the article overlooks other scholars, counterterrorism experts, and analysts who have recognized valid security challenges India faces with Khalistan-linked extremism. Certain Khalistani groups exploited Sikh religious sentiment to justify violent actions and criminal enterprises. Multiple forums have highlighted ties between these factions, drug and arms smuggling networks, often supported by ISI. Leaving out such perspectives raises questions about balance and intent to inform versus sway readers. Impact of Biased Reporting on Public Understanding When impactful media like The New York Times publish such pieces with biased slant, they risk cementing stereotypes and shaping public opinion misleadingly. For readers less familiar with Khalistan issue, India’s actions might appear authoritarian rather than responses to real and documented threats. Reporting with an apparent “predetermined” conclusion reinforces narratives that misrepresent India’s security concerns as mere authoritarian impulses. This approach can erode trust in international relations. For instance, framing Canada’s reluctance to act against pro-Khalistan activists as a free speech issue disregards that many Western nations actively counter extremist ideologies promoting violence, from neo-Nazism to Islamist extremism. Yet when addressing Khalistani extremism, Canada’s stance is portrayed as liberal tolerance rather than a political decision. This selective framing risks distorting public understanding of global security policies, potentially engendering sympathy for extremist movements. Conflating Sikh Identity with Khalistan Das’ article could be read as equating India’s vigilance over Khalistani separatism with attack on Sikh identity, an oversimplification that overlooks the fact that most Sikhs globally do not support Khalistan. For instance, San Jose California Gurudwara chief Bhupinder Singh Dhillon gave only five-minutes ultimatum to Khalistani supporters and drove them out of Nagar Kirtan. Similarly, Ujjal Dosanjh, former premier of British Columbia and federal cabinet minister under Liberal prime minister Paul Martin told Canadian newspaper ‘National Post’ that “a silent majority of Sikhs does not want to have anything to do with Khalistan, adding that less than five percent of the total Canadian Sikhs support Khalistani movement.” India is home to one of the largest Sikh populations, with significant representation in the military, government, and business. Articles like Das’ risk alienating this community by implying Sikh identity aligns with separatism, which could strain relationships within the Sikh diaspora and between Sikhs and the Indian state of Punjab. India’s Broader Counter-Terrorism Efforts India’s response to separatism is not limited to Khalistan issue but spans various secessionist and insurgent movements from left-wing extremist naxalites to Islamist terrorism. In each instance, India’s approach has been complex, encompassing political dialogue, social programmes and security measures. For example, reducing violence in Kashmir through de-radicalization and security efforts shows a strategy aimed at balancing security with stability. Ignoring broader policies and isolating Khalistan issue risks misrepresenting India’s comprehensive security approach. Importance of Balanced Journalism Responsible media coverage should present readers with a complete view, allowing them to

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Guardians or Bystanders!

Canadian police remain mute spectators to violence and vandalism unleashed in Hindu temples by Khalistani extremists backed by Trudeau. Rahul Pawa On a quiet Diwali weekend, two temples in Canada, long-standing beacons of peace for Hindu diaspora became flashpoints of violence. In Brampton, at Hindu Sabha Mandir where a towering 55-foot statue of Lord Hanuman stands in majestic repose, sanctity of worship was violently interrupted. In Surrey, around same time, similar desecration played out but with an unsettling twist: Canadian police, rather than offering protection from violence, reportedly turned their back on the very devotees they are sworn to safeguard. This spiraling saga of aggression against Canada’s Hindu community speaks of growing dissonance, one in which Anti-hindu allegiances and violent extremist ideology have found combustible alignment. These events call into question not Canadian authorities role in preserving peace and apparent lack of justice in face of rising extremism against Hindus. The incidents bear markings of a broader issue that Canada under the guise of neutrality may have dangerously fueled. Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton stands as a symbol of spiritual and cultural unity for Hindu community with its towering Hanuman statue —serving as proud reminder of ancient heritage in Canadian landscape. Yet, as Indian consular officials visited the temple to offer routine services, scenes of unrest unfolded that shattered the temple’s tranquility. Khalistani extremists, aligned with banned Sikhs for Justice extremist group, staged a violent protest that devolved into open aggression against temple-goers. Video footage shared across social media captures harrowing moments as Hindu devotees were set upon, beaten, and confronted with huge sticks by extremists. Aggressive violence by these extremists was unprovoked assault on peaceful community engaged in their sacred observances. Sikhs for Justice, a group with known links to Pakistan and history of terrorism linked to violent Khalistan secessionist movement had explicitly voiced their desire to disrupt consular services outside official premises, claiming these events posed a “threat” to Khalistani cause. Peel Regional Police, responsible for overseeing law enforcement in Brampton, have faced sharp criticism for their response or lack of it. Widespread violence notwithstanding, no arrests were made, a decision that many say reflects a worrisome leniency. Peel Police released a brief statement pledging to “investigate any acts of violence or threats,” yet to date, no charges have been filed. This inaction starkly contrasts with the force’s rapid response to similar instances of disorderly conduct in other communities. For Hindu Canadians, these events highlight troubling trend. Liberal MP Chandra Arya condemned the incident, calling attention to what he described as “free pass” given to Canadian Khalistani extremists. As he noted, “These extremists receive a degree of immunity that raises serious questions about Canada’s commitment to protecting its citizens equally.” Across the country in Surrey, a gathering of Hindu devotees at a temple similarly faced intimidation from Khalistani extremists operating with impunity in Canada. As people of all ages congregated to pray, the Khalistanis arrived with charged slogans, invoking Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a notorious Khalistani extremist recently slain under murky circumstances. Far from remaining a peaceful protest, the event quickly turned menacing, with calls for Hindus to “go back to their country.” Yet what unfolded next is perhaps more disturbing than the protest itself. As tensions escalated, members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) intervened—but not to protect the threatened Hindu worshippers. Instead, in an act that has left the Hindu community in shock and disbelief, RCMP detained three Hindu devotees who were then escorted from temple grounds in full view of the protestors who had incited the incident. The reason for these detentions remains undisclosed, but the message it sent was clear: the victims of intimidation were cast as the culprits. This police action has left many questioning the RCMP’s impartiality. At a time when Hindus in Canada felt increasingly vulnerable, police response was inadequate or complicit. The pattern of law enforcement intervening against Hindu Canadians, rather than protecting them, has fostered deep resentment and fear. A local temple spokesperson pleaded for calm, reminding the community to await further information but the undercurrent of fear was palpable. Canadian authorities’ seeming unwillingness to protect Hindus or even acknowledge the intimidation they face revealed a chasm in the justice system they are meant to trust. Indian High Commission in Ottawa released a statement expressing disappointment at the violence allowed to mar routine consular events. “As in previous years,” the statement read, “the High Commission and Consulates General of India have planned consular camps during this period to assist local life certificate beneficiaries.” However, despite clear forewarning and requests for heightened security, Canadian authorities failed to prevent Khalistani disruption. This dereliction of duty has left Hindus in Canada and beyond questioning the nation’s dedication to ensuring safety for all religious communities. Diplomatic tensions sparked by Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau between Canada and India have simmered in recent months, with baseless accusations fueling discord. Yet Canada’s handling of these incidents hints at something more insidious— normalization of extremism under the guise of free speech. It appears that Canada is struggling, or perhaps choosing not to confront, a deeply ingrained bias in its approach to law enforcement where Khalistani sympathisers were concerned. India’s high commission has been left with few choices but to remind Canadian authorities of their duty to protect citizens and consular staff engaged in routine activities. The community they represent, however, feels abandoned, exposed to aggression with no recourse to justice. As Canada’s Hindu diaspora reflects on these violent episodes, an unsettling reality emerges: their homeland may be an ocean away, but the conflicts it faces seem to have followed them to Canadian shores. Devotees who once sought refuge in Canada, a country that promised peace and safety, now find themselves targeted, harassed, and abandoned by a system that seems unwilling to defend their rights. In these attacks, there is bitter irony—Canada’s celebrated multiculturalism, once source of pride, has been weaponised against the very people it claimed to protect. As Canadian authorities continue to walk the line

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Ottawa Falls

Justin Trudeau’s biggest blunder was to rely on ISI, CCP to tie up with anti-India Khalistani extremists; Five Eyes, US deep state purported inputs to make baseless accusations against India. “At that point it was primarily intelligence, not hard evidentiary proof,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated during foreign interference inquiry, alluding to the claims he made against India, linking ‘Indian agents’ to Khalistani Canadian terrorist Hardeep Nijjar’s death in a gang war outside the gurdwara in Surrey, Canada.

Festering Wound, Khalistani Terror in Canada

Geopolitics International

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Festering Wound, Khalistani Terror in Canada

Anti-Bharat vitriolic by Canadian Prime Minister led bilateral relations to an abyss. Steering troubled relations to normalcy rest with Ottawa. Rohan Giri Diplomatic relations between India and Canada have been thrown into abyss following insinuations on India’s possible involvement in murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a proscribed terrorist identified as key member of Khalistan Tiger Force. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau seems to have personally contributed to skewed debate on Nijjar who’s sought to be turned a hero by his government whose performance reportedly is tardy and found wanting on many fronts. A sharp rebuke from India’s Ambassador to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma for damaging Indo-Canadian relations seems to be very much in order given anti-Bharat stance pronounced strongly by Prime Minister Trudeau for political purposes. Verma asserted that accusations by Canada lacked substance and may have been influenced by forces that were inimical to Bharat. Allegations of India’s involvement in reported murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani terrorist who had obtained Canadian citizenship, emerged after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s address in the country’s Parliament on September 18. He had claimed to have “credible evidence that the Indian government assassinated a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil.” This baseless allegation put a strain on bilateral relations as no credible evidence was shared by Ottawa to support its claims. India recognized as a robust and healthy democracy has no historical record of engaging in such clandestine activities and consistently championed the path of peace both regionally and globally. In an interview to ‘The Globe and Mail’, Indian envoy Sanjay Kumar Verma offered a forceful rebuttal to these allegations chastising Canada for failing to furnish any concrete or pertinent details that would substantiate their accusations. He expressed apprehension regarding the investigation’s integrity, hinting at possibility of high-level interference in investigative proceedings. The accusations triggered significant diplomatic fallout and unilaterally Canada escalated further by suspending an Indian diplomat. Retaliating, India declared a senior Canadian diplomat persona non grata and requested Canadian government to withdraw a substantial number of its diplomatic staff from India. This diplomatic spat loomed as a potential threat to broader bilateral engagement between two countries. Verma questioned validity and admissibility of purported evidence underpinning Canada’s claims pointing out that diplomatic exchanges were safeguarded by international law and not admissible in a legal context or for public revelation. He called on Canada to explain methods used to obtain these conversations and pointed to possibility of wiretaps and impersonated voices to justify Ottawa’s claims against New Delhi. India has on multiple occasions drawn attention to pending extradition requests which it alleges Canada has consistently overlooked. Following accusations, Bharat’s Ministry of External Affairs labeled Canada as a “safe haven for terrorists, gangsters, and criminals.” This characterization was not made lightly; it mirrors perception of contemporary Canada. Otherise, fabric of Indo-Canadian relations has been further frayed by a deeply troubling series of events in Canada. There is a growing wave of hostility, as sacred Hindu sites and assets of the Indian community have come under repeated attack. This disturbing trend has escalated to a point where safety of Indian diplomats in Canada is now in jeopardy. After Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed, a torrent of direct threats and vitriolic hate speech was unleashed against Indian diplomatic corps. Atmosphere of intimidation and outright bullying has been starkly illustrated by appearance of menacing posters throughout Canada. These posters not only advocate for assassination of Indian officials but audaciously depict them as adversaries of Canadian state, ratcheting up the diplomatic tension to an alarming degree. This volatile situation casts a shadow over Indian community in Canada and puts the diplomatic ties between the two nations on a knife-edge. In a comprehensive analysis, as international think tank, Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies, raised alarm in its latest report about the escalating threat of Khalistani extremism in Canada, particularly during Prime Minister Trudeau’s administration. The report stressed that this radical movement, bolstered by Pakistani support, has intensified, putting a strain on Canada’s social fabric and its long-standing multicultural values. Ties between Canada and India have deteriorated, attributed in part to Trudeau’s interactions with Khalistani proponents and his unsubstantiated accusations against India. These actions have not only marred Trudeau’s leadership but reflect political influence of Jagmeet Singh, NDP leader known for his Khalistani linkages and frequent anti-India commentary. CIHS report warned that the Canadian government’s perceived indifference towards growing Khalistani presence could incentivise separatist sentiments, potentially triggering a secessionist referendum. Such developments threaten Canadian unity and sovereignty. The think tank underlined the urgency for Canada to repair its diplomatic relations with India. Moreover, it called on Western nations to tackle Khalistani extremism with an unwavering adherence to the rule of law and a commitment to security, human rights, and democratic principles. The response to this issue is critical, the report concludes, as it will significantly shape the future of international relations and the global order. Trudeau has seemingly overlooked these critical issues. The unchecked growth of separatist movements poses a real and significant threat to the security of Canada. It seems he fails to acknowledge the true character of terrorism, which knows no religious or ideological limits. No amount of diplomatic veneer can mask this reality. Historical patterns suggest that the consequences of neglecting such threats often have a way of returning to their origin with compounded force. Addressing these challenges with substantive dialogue and addressing the influence of Khalistani factions in Canada is crucial for restoring confidence and strengthening the bilateral relationship. The current diplomatic impasse highlights the importance of adhering to diplomatic norms, international law, and the protection of envoys abroad. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s approach, which seems to prioritise internal political advantages over international protocol, reflects a departure from statesmanlike conduct. Such a strategy may jeopardise the diplomatic bond with India and other law-abiding democracies worldwide. (Author is a doctoral fellow at Amity University in Gwalior, content manager at Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies, New Delhi)

Disinformation Geopolitics Hindus Human Rights Misinformation Security World

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Testing Times in Canada

Trudeau regime will have to address core issue of terrorism to keep its relations with Bharat intact or face consequences. Pummy Pandita Eyebrows were raised when Canadian Parliament paid homage to Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a hardcore Pakistan-backed Khalistan terrorist and named in several anti-Bharat campaigns globally. One minute’s silence by Canadian Parliament members to Nijjar, a wanted criminal in Bharat, does not augur well either for bilateral relations or global campaign against terrorism of all shades and hues. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau seems to be playing with ‘Khalistani fire’ to stay in office and even sacrifice the strong and sound footed relations with India at the altar of preserving his political fiefdom with support from the extremist group. It’s not just one minute’s silence that matters! Trudeau hailing Nijjar ‘for his persistent efforts in advancing the diversity and inclusion ideals that Canada cherishes’ is something that’s gross and unpalatable. By buying peace with Khalistanis that campaign for a separate sovereign state which most Sikhs do not support, Trudeau exposed his political opportunism. He seems to have conveniently banked on anti-Bharat forces to portray himself as someone who genuinely cares about his country. In the process, Trudeau has succeeded in appeasing his political crutch group in Khalistanis and diverted attention from Canada’s burning issues. In fact, Indian-descent Member of Parliament Chandan Arya exposed the extremist role of Canadian Khalistani elements when Air India flight 182 was bombed midday 39-years back on June 23. Incidentally, this very day is remembered in Canada as National Day of Remembrance for victims of terrorism. In the mid-air bombing of Kanishka aircraft carrier 329 innocent lives including crew members was lost to terrorists that made Canada their home. Rightly so, Arya pointed to the ideology responsible for Kanishka attack that’s alive and kicking with a small chunk of Canadians. Recent celebration of Indian Prime Minister Smt Indira Gandhi is yet another incident where terrorism is glorified, violence mainstreamed, hate and violence eulogized. It also indicates that dark forces responsible for these terror events are getting regrouped and portends terrible events to come. Khalistan movement’s past is rife with murder and bloodshed. Tens of thousands of Hindus and Sikhs have been slaughtered by terrorists not just in India but in US, Australia, the UK, and Germany among others. People in Canada seem to have forgotten that tend to forget that 39 years ago when terrorists [Talwinder Singh Parmar (Canadian citizen), Inderjit Singh Reyat (held both British & Canadian citizenship), Ajaib Singh Bagri (US citizen), Ripudaman Singh Malik, Surjan Singh Gill, Hardial Singh Johal, Daljit Sandhu and Lakhbir Singh Rode (all Canadian citizens) bombed Air India flight. Regretfully, there are still locations in Canada where people who pray to these very terrorists as ‘demi-gods’. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of Sikhs for Justice open threat to Hindu Canadians life is nothing but “glorification of terrorism” and acceptance of hate crimes under the pretext of “freedom of expression”. Canada has fallen under Trudeau’s gross mismanagement making it an extreme version of Pakistan. Canadian economy that was in shambles has not yet fully recovered. Meagre income that ordinary Canadians are able to earn is negated by inflation overhang that continues to roil the economy. Cost of living in Canada has about tripled in three years. Steep spike in housing rents left many individuals without a place to live. Over 40,000 people died in eight years due to drug overdose and the country is fast emerging as narco-terrorism hub. As Pakistan is falling Islamic terrorism, Canada has gone the Khalistani way.[1] Since his minority government depends on the backing of New Democratic Party led by Khalistani Jagmeet Singh, Justin Trudeau has gone his way. Trudeau, much like his alliance partner Jagmeet finds nothing wrong with pro-Khalistan operations being carried out on Canadian soil. Justin Trudeau’s open support to a terrorist such as Nijjar has given legitimacy to violence committed by the Khalistani groups in Canada. In addition to endangering security of Hindus residing in Canada, Trudeau has snatched rights of common Canadian citizens to profit from shifting geopolitical conditions. Trudeau, who claims Indian involvement in Nijjar’s murder, remained silent on Karima Baloch, an activist who fled persecution by Pakistani government and settled in Canada. Trudeau twiddled his thumb when opposition leader Michael Chong charged that he was being targeted by a Chinese diplomat. Canada’s evolution as a safe sanctuary for Pakistan-backed Khalistani terrorism is the result of Trudeau’s silence on legitimate interests of Canadian residents that he breaks only when one terrorist is killed as part of his vote-bank politics. Canada as a nation will now pay the price for appeasement of Khalistanis by its Prime Minister who is responsible from harbouring organised crime, help terrorists and criminals. Trudeau has isolated Canada from Western world. What a catastrophe! Indian is upset with Canadian theatrics. “India stands at the forefront of countering menace of terrorism and works closely with all nations to tackle this global threat. 23 June 2024 marks 39th Anniversary of cowardly terrorist bombing of Air India flight 182 (Kanishka) in which 329 innocent victims including 86 children lost their lives in one of the most heinous terror-related air disasters in history of civil aviation,” it said in a statement.[2] Canada’s unflinching support to anti-India forces may disturb the delicate applecart. Bracing up to fight terrorists of Khalistani or Islamist shades is in global interest. (Author is head of operations at Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies, a non-partisan think tank based in New Delhi) References: [1] https://www.news18.com/opinion/opinion-canada-has-become-new-pakistan-thanks-to-trudeaus-soft-spot-for-khalistan-8585898.html [2] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/india-marks-kanishka-flight-anniversary-as-canadian-parliament-honors-khalistan-terrorist-hardeep-singh-nijjar/articleshow/111110391.cms?from=mdr

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Fresh Set of Challenges for Modi 3.0

Khalistanis, Naxalites, Kashmiri subversives gaining legitimacy in Parliament demands fresh thinking and strategy K.A.Badarinath As Bharat’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi readies to take reins at centre for a third consecutive term, challenges, known and unknown may have to be dealt with on priority basis. Commentators of every hue and shade have written copiously on Prime Minister Modi’s tenacity or lack of it to run a coalition government with Telugu Desam and Janata Dal (United) and half a dozen others in tow. Challenges identified here are different and mostly new to tackle right away. For a year, Amritpal Singh, a Khalistani extremist who waged a war on Punjab Police has been put away in Dibrugarh jail of Assam. Waris Punjab De chief who hitherto owned a logistics company in Dubai is being tried for crimes including possible treason after having led a mob on Ajnala police station in Punjab. He’s being tried under National Security Act (NSA) from April 2023. His reported linkages with Pakistani spy agency, ISI to source weapons to spill violence on streets of Punjab are some of the allegations against Amritpal Singh. The 31-year old radical Khalistani separatist will have to be dealt with by Modi government when eighteenth Lok Sabha opens for newly elected members of Parliament to take oath. From Khadoor Sahib in the Punjab, Amritpal Singh was elected a member of Lok Sabha after having trounced his Congress rival. Security forces that laid trap in and around Punjab after the Ajnala incident will now have to provide security cover to the ‘Honourable Member of parliament’. Singh was successful in recent elections with highest majority of 1.97 lakh votes in Punjab. Member-elect from Khadoor Sahib will have to be respectfully escorted by the very security forces from jail to Parliament. Election Commission of India (ECI), Lok Sabha Speaker and the new government apart from courts will have to bear with his idiosyncrasies on Khalistan, the imaginary separate Sikh state. One big positive however is that the avowed Khalistani will have to take a pledge as per Bharat’s Constitution and work within the country’s governance system. Protocols to deal with him will change overnight. Second case will be Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, son of Beant Singh who killed then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi following Operation Blue Star. Sarabjeet is the new Member of Parliament elected from Faridkot and a fundamentalist. Though an independent candidate, hitherto Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa was with Siromani Akali Dal – Amritsar. This party has had Simranjit Singh Mann as its member in Lok Sabha from Sangraur previously represented by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa’s plank as an independent in Faridkot was to seek justice for desecration of Guru Granth Sahib in October 2015. On October 12 that year, Sikhs’ holy book was desecrated in Behbal Kalan and a couple of days later two sikh youth were killed. This very is part of Faridkot constituency. Even after election, Khalsa and Mann along with several Khalistani separatists shouted slogans for a separate Sikh state at Golden Temple, the highest seat of Sikh Panth in Amritsar. While Sarabjeet is regarded a fundamentalist, his election and allegiance to Bharat’s Constitution as a Parliament Member may ring in some positivity. But, there’s denying that going forward Sikh panthic politics has come here to stay and traditional Sikh parties like Shiromani Akali Dal will have to make way for new alignments and forces especially aligned with extremist and terror elements globally. Modi government will have to redraw its Punjab strategy in sync with new realities. Third member who could turn tricky for Narendra Modi government is Sheikh Abdul Rashid who’s serving his term in Tihar jail. He’s been elected to lower house from Baramulla after trouncing former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of National Conference. Popularly known as engineer Rashid, he’s been in high security Tihar jail for over five years in cases relating to money laundering and funding terror in the Kashmir valley from across the border and elsewhere. Oppression, revenge and jail term were emotionally put forth by his sons to garner votes for engineer Rashid. While Rashid’s swearing in as Lok Sabha member would turn an eyeball event, abrogation of Article 370, Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections may come back to focus. Courts have to take a call on his interim bail to facilitate his swearing in. After a gap of 25-years, Communist Party of India – Marxist Leninist (Liberation), Left extremist group will enter the parliament with two of its members in Rajaram Singh from Karakat constituency. His comrade, Sudhama Prasad defeated BJP minister and high profile R K Singh from Arrah. Both these constituencies are in Bihar. The party that draws inspiration from one of left extremist movement, Charu Mazumdar, has moved into public space from arms struggle and is part of the opposition, Indi alliance. CPI-ML Liberation shifted gears and moved away from Kondapalli Seetaramaiah faction’s Peoples’ War group that still is in the midst of waging a war against the state. Mainstreaming of naxalites with entry into Parliament and state legislatures is a tribute to Bharat’s democracy. But, spread of Left extremist political ideology overtly may demand a fresh strategy from Modi government. Chandrashekhar Azad alias Ravan is yet another figure from Uttar Pradesh that BJP-led alliance that needs to watch out for. Chandrashekhar will represent Nagina Lok Sabha constituency in the lower house after having won the seat with a margin of over 1.51 lakh votes. He is regarded as a self-established Dalit leader after having setup the Bhim Army. His activism extends to a decade. On March 15, 2020, Chandrashekhar launched Azad Samaj Party (Kanshiram) to mainstream his political activism overtly. Initially, he looked at a tango deal with Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party (SP). But, Chandrashekhar felt let down when his party was offered just two seats in the Lok Sabha elections by SP. Azad’s direct involvement in Saharanpur violence led to his arrest under National Security Act by the Uttar Pradesh government. Delhi Police denied him

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Canada Unsafe for Indians & Hindus

Recent years have posed significant challenges to Canada’s reputation as a safe destination for immigrants, particularly for Indians. Nation’s appeal as a place of opportunity and inclusivity notwithstanding, reports of hate crimes, violence against Indians, Hindus and racial prejudice have increased. This radicalism and governmental biases have mounted concerns regarding safety. (Author Pummy Pandita is head of operations at Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies, a non-partisan think tank based in New Delhi)

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