In a recent shocking development, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made an explosive and potentially inflammatory statement in Parliament. Without providing any evidence, he accused Indian government agencies of murdering Khalistan movement leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Vancouver last June. He further implicated officials from the Indian Embassy in Canada for their alleged involvement in the assassination.
This contentious move by Trudeau led to an immediate retaliation by the Indian government, calling for the return of Canadian Embassy officials from India within five days. Not only did this increase tensions between the two nations, but also raised concerns among the Hindus in Canada as Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, head of Sikhs for Justice running the Khalistan movement, issued threats to their safety.
Although these incidents have created concern among Indians in Canada, experts believe there is no point in panicking if people remain cautious and do not participate in discussions about religion or Khalistan. It is important to remember that Canada’s economy is dependent on Indians, mostly Hindus.
Prime Minister Trudeau Finds Himself Isolated
With his popularity on a decline and allegations of collaborating with Chinese agencies to win elections, some claim that this statement by the Canada’s prime minister Trudeau is a desperate attempt to divert global attention from these controversies. This tactic has left him increasingly isolated internationally as countries like the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia have condemned such behavior.
Critics are calling on Trudeau to launch a thorough investigation if he believes that Indian government agencies were indeed involved in Nijjar’s murder and present concrete evidence before making baseless accusations. His recent actions have not only strained relations between India and Canada but also provoked fear and uncertainty among Indians residing in Canada.
As more details emerge, it is crucial to closely monitor this situation while emphasizing unity and understanding within multicultural communities across borders.
ISI’s Role and Support
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has faced decreasing popularity in recent years, with only around 30% of Canadians supporting him. His government relies on the backing of approximately 10 pro-Khalistan Sikh MPs from the New Democratic Party. These MPs could potentially withdraw their support at any time, causing the government to collapse before the next federal election in 2025.
Trudeau’s Liberal Party has been known to align itself with extremist elements, attracting anti-social individuals and organizations based in Canada. In an attempt to remain in power, Trudeau and Khalistani supporters will likely go to great lengths to protect their interests. As evidence of this, Trudeau permits nine Khalistan organizations to conduct their anti-India activities freely within Canada and even attends events hosted by these groups as the primary guest.
Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) also supports the Khalistan movement and looks for ways to weaken India. The ISI believes that they can separate Punjab from India in the same way that India contributed to Bangladesh’s creation.
Only a small fraction of Sikhs worldwide are interested in Khalistan, with about one percent of Indian Sikhs actively supporting it. Extremist elements have pushed their agenda outside India, primarily targeting Sikh communities in countries like Canada, Britain, and Australia for radicalization.
Around 770,000 Sikhs live in Canada; this is approximately two percent of the entire population of 37 million. Canada’s Sikh community has seen critical development in recent years, multiplying in size two years ago. These Sikhs are dynamic in various sectors such as agriculture, construction, trade and transportation. It is vital to note that only a couple of individuals within the Sikh diaspora hold such prejudices, whereas the majority still strive for unity and brotherhood.
Punjab’s Struggle and Khalistan: A Complex History Rooted in Bhinderanwale’s Vision
The Khalistan movement traces its origins back to the time of India’s independence and the partition that separated Punjab into two parts. While most Punjabis desired to remain an integral part of India, some Sikh leaders envisioned a separate nation for Punjab. This vision was fuelled by the British policy of divide and rule, which attempted to sow discord among various religious groups.
The call for Khalistan continues beyond Punjab’s current borders, with the militant group seeking to include pre-1966 Punjab regions such as Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Rajah A region against the Sikh majority in Stan State. However, this proposal was not supported by the majority of the Sikh community.
Sikhs for Justice, an organization advocating for Khalistan’s establishment, plans to approach the United Nations with their demands. Meanwhile, countries like Pakistan, Canada, and China are allegedly aiding these separatist leaders in order to destabilize India.
Jagjit Singh Chauhan played an essential role in advancing the Khalistan movement after India’s independence. Despite facing political setbacks in 1969, Chauhan continued pushing his agenda from Britain and even sought support from Pakistan.
Jarnail Singh Bhinderwale stands as another prominent figure in Khalistan’s history. His rise to prominence was facilitated by the then-ruling Congress party as part of a political strategy to secure power in Punjab and undermine the Akali Dal vote.
Bhinderwale’s defiance grew as he bolstered the call for Khalistan, amassing thousands of followers. His ambition was to become the leader of not just Khalistan but the entire Sikh community, with no interest in positions like MP or Chief Minister. The group found refuge in the Golden Temple, where they believed they were safe after executing numerous violent attacks.
Conclusion
In response, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ordered the Indian Army to assault the temple from June 1 to June 10, 1984, in a mission known as ‘Operation Blue Star’. Hundreds, or possibly thousands, of armed Khalistan supporters perished during this operation. A mere four months later, on October 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her own bodyguards at her residence. However, it is important to note that Satwant Singh and Beant Singh did not commit this act in support of Khalistan but rather as a retaliation against an order to attack the Sikh community within the confines of the Golden Temple.
The repercussions of these occasions continue to resonate throughout history as Sikh citizens have since immigrated to different countries such as America, Britain, Canada, and Australia. Many individuals have even sacrificed their lives in pursuance of Khalistan’s mission. Regrettably, some have been manipulated by foreign powers such as Pakistan. It is imperative for India and other nations to resist following this perilous path of terrorism and seek alternative means for conflict resolution.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only, exclusively written and published by IntraSource. The published information sourced from various trusted platforms, such as news agencies and online media, mainly Government of Canada and Canadian online media/websites, and should not be considered as legal or professional advice. IRCC’s requirements may change, so consult lawyer/s and receive a professional advice before making decisions or applications.
