Recently, the canadian government expelled a senior Indian diplomat accusing India’s role in the assassination of prominent Sikh canadian leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar in canada.
News Jungal desk: India rejected these allegations and accused Canada of sheltering Khalistani extremists.
It is a fight for separate, sovereign Sikh state in present day Punjab(both in India and Pakistan).
The demand for separate Sikh state has resurfaced many times, most prominently during violent insurgency in the 1970’s and 1980’s which paralysed Punjab for over a decade.
The Khalistan movement was crushed in India through Operation Blue Star(1984) and Operation Black Thunder(1986 and 1988).
But it succeeds to get sympathy and support among Sikh people, especially Sikh diaspora in countries such as Canada, UK and Australia.
Recent Anti-India Activitie in Canada:
Operation Blue Star Anniversary Parade (June 2023): In brampton, a parade celebrated the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi,displaying ablood-stained gigure and advocating revenge for the attack on Darbar Sahib.
Pro-Khalistan Referendum(2022): Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), apro Khalistan organization, conducted a referendum on Khalistan in Brampton, claiming significant support.
Sanjh Savera Magazine(2002): This weekly Punjabi language magazine greeted Indira Gandhi’s death anniversary with a cover illustration, celebrating her murder and gloriying those assassinators.
This magazine is now a prominent daily newspaper in Canada.
India’s Concerns:
Indian diplomats based in Canada have said on many occasions the canada’s failure on tackling Sikh extremism and constant harassment of indian diplomats by khalistanis.
The Indian prime Minister also raised strong concerns about Sikh protests in Canada at G20 Summit in New Delhi.
Way Forward:
The government should invest in the economic development of Punjab and ensure all fair share of opportunities and resources.
The government should also ensure justice for the victims and survivors of Khalistan movement violence.
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