| 19 September 2023
| Christie Anto
In a growing diplomatic rift between India and Canada, tensions have reached a boiling point with the expulsion of senior diplomats from both nations. The latest developments come in the wake of allegations by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau linking India to the assassination of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The ongoing dispute revolves around the Khalistan movement and accusations that Canada harbors Khalistani activists.
The Trigger: Hardeep Singh Nijjar's Assassination
The controversy began when Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a 45-year-old Sikh separatist leader, was fatally shot outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, a Vancouver suburb, on June 18. Notably, India had designated Nijjar as a "terrorist" three years earlier due to his involvement in advocating for a Sikh homeland in Punjab, India's northern state. Nijjar was reportedly organizing an unofficial referendum in India for an independent Sikh nation at the time of his death.
Trudeau, addressing the Canadian Parliament, asserted credible allegations of India's involvement in Nijjar's assassination, labeling it an "unacceptable violation of our sovereignty." In response, India dismissed these allegations as "absurd" and urged Canada to combat anti-India groups operating on its soil.
India's Response: Expelling Canadian Diplomat
India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) swiftly rejected the accusation of involvement in Nijjar's killing. In a statement, the MEA emphasized that these allegations were designed to divert attention from Khalistani terrorists and extremists taking shelter in Canada, posing threats to India's sovereignty.
In retaliation, India decided to expel a senior Canadian diplomat, giving them five days to leave the country. The MEA cited concerns about Canadian diplomats interfering in India's internal affairs and their involvement in anti-India activities. The Canadian High Commissioner in New Delhi, Cameron MacKay, was summoned to be informed of this move.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar: A Central Figure
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, born in India's Punjab in 1977, immigrated to Canada in 1997, where he worked as a plumber. He was initially associated with the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) Sikh separatist group, which India has designated as a "terrorist organization" and accused of receiving funding from Pakistan's ISI spy agency. Nijjar later became the chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and played an active role in operationalizing, networking, training, and financing its members, according to a 2020 Indian government statement.
New Delhi officially categorized Nijjar as a "terrorist," accusing him of inciting sedition and attempting to create disharmony among communities in India. For supporters of Khalistan, Nijjar was a prominent leader and a staunch advocate for the cause. He held the position of head at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurudwara in Surrey, the location of his assassination.
The Khalistan Movement: A Historical Context
The Khalistan movement, centered around the demand for an independent Sikh state, traces its roots to the northern Indian state of Punjab, where Sikhs form a significant portion of the population. While India won its independence in 1947, the Partition that followed brought immense violence along religious lines, particularly in Punjab.
The armed rebellion for Khalistan began in the late 1980s and persisted for over a decade, resulting in thousands of deaths. The Indian government's crackdown led to the suppression of the movement, including the storming of the Golden Temple in Amritsar in 1984. This operation claimed numerous lives and marked a turning point in the conflict.
Although there is no active armed rebellion in Punjab today, the Khalistan movement retains support among some Sikhs, both within India and in the global Sikh diaspora.
Global Reach of the Khalistan Movement
The Khalistan movement's influence extends beyond India's borders, with significant support in countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, where Sikh populations are substantial. Recent incidents, including the desecration of the Indian flag in London and clashes in San Francisco and Ottawa, highlight the movement's presence overseas.
India has repeatedly urged these countries to take legal action against Sikh activists and address the issue of Khalistan. The Modi government has also intensified efforts to apprehend Sikh separatists, leading to arrests of numerous leaders linked to the movement.
While the Khalistan movement remains largely dormant in Punjab, it continues to be a matter of concern for the Indian government, which views it as a potential security threat.
As tensions between India and Canada continue to escalate, the international community will be closely watching for any further developments in this complex and historically rooted dispute.
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