26-9-2023 (OTTAWA) Canadian Sikhs held small protests outside India’s diplomatic missions in Toronto, Vancouver, and Ottawa, responding to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s claims of a potential link between New Delhi and the murder of Sikh separatist advocate Hardeep Sing Ninja in British Columbia.
Trudeau, addressing the Canadian parliament last week, stated that domestic intelligence agencies were actively investigating credible allegations connecting agents from New Delhi to the shooting of Canadian citizen Hardeep Sing Ninja in June.
Realize the dream of Hardeep Singh to make Khalistan truly independent,
Sikhs protest against
indian-Hindu Modi BJP-RSS
Consulate in Toronto Canada.pic.twitter.com/DmShBWumOH— Sci Tech Info (@InfoTec16286048) September 25, 2023
Approximately 100 protesters in Toronto burned an Indian flag and hit a cardboard cut-out of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a shoe. Around 200 demonstrators also gathered outside the Vancouver consulate. In Ottawa, fewer than 100 people congregated in front of the Indian High Commissioner’s office, waving flags marked with the word “Khalistan,” signifying their support for an independent Sikh state in India’s Punjab region.
Protester Reshma Sing Bolinas expressed gratitude to Justin Trudeau and urged Canada to pressure India to prevent the killing of innocent people in the future.
Canada is home to roughly 770,000 Sikhs, making it the largest Sikh population outside their home state of Punjab. Recent demonstrations have strained relations with India.
India dismissed Trudeau’s allegations as “absurd” and cautioned travelers about growing “anti-India activities” in Canada without offering specific evidence.
The accusations have drawn attention to Canada’s Sikh community. Although Sikhs constitute only 2% of India’s population, they form a majority in Punjab, where the religion originated.
Protesters in Toronto and Ottawa called for the expulsion of the Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, who assured authorities have been informed of the protests and provided security.
Hardeep Sing Ninja, a Canadian citizen who left Punjab 25 years ago, supported the creation of an independent Sikh homeland. India designated him a “terrorist” in July 2020.
The Canadian government conducted a months-long investigation into the Sikh separatist leader, collecting both human and signals intelligence, according to reports. The United States collaborated closely with Canada on the intelligence suggesting the possible involvement of Indian agents in the June murder of a Canadian citizen.
