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Canadian Officials Must Continue to Hold India Accountable for Violence Against Sikhs Across Canada: BCGC

October 16, 2024 | By Sikh Siyasat Bureau

Surrey: The BC Gurdwaras Council (BCGC) has called on the Canadian government to take strong action against Indian diplomats involved in violent crimes targeting Sikh activists in Canada. Citing Canadian administration’s recent revelations, the BCGC says that Indian officials have been orchestrating violence and intimidation against those advocating for Khalistan, a sovereign Sikh state, and have urged Canada to revoke diplomatic immunity and prosecute those responsible for these acts of foreign interference.

Full Text of BCGC Statement Reads as Follows:-

Canadian officials must continue to hold India accountable for violence against Sikhs across Canada

(Surrey: 30 Assu, Nanakshahi 556 / October 14, 2024): Today’s announcement regarding the role of Indian diplomats in violent crimes across Canada is an important step to publicly acknowledge the public safety threat posed by India and ensure repercussions for their hostile activities. It is imperative that Canadian agencies continue to follow through and ensure the full accountability of all individuals and officials responsible for this violent targeting of Sikh activists.

The RCMP has publicly acknowledged that Indian diplomats have been involved in orchestrating a wave of violence against Sikhs across Canada, specifically targeting those actively advocating for an independent, sovereign Khalistan. The diplomats have been identified as part of an Indian diplomat-gang nexus, collecting intelligence and information about Sikh activists and then providing that information to criminal gangs to be targeted for intimidation, extortions, and other forms of violence. Perhaps most concerning is the revelation that Indian officials have used coercion as a means to compel individuals of Indian descent in Canada to act as informants. The threat goes beyond the denial of visas—families of those targeted face intimidation and potential harm in India, creating a climate of fear and manipulation within the diaspora.

This points to a sophisticated and multi-layered operation involving threats, intimidation, and violent reprisals that are deeply entwined with India’s diplomatic missions in Canada.

India’s reaction demonstrates a continued effort to shield itself from accountability rather than cooperating with Canadian authorities. This move is indicative of India’s broader strategy to evade justice for its unlawful activities on foreign soil. At the same time, Canadian media and public bodies must take notice of India’s massive capacity to coordinate disinformation campaigns as was acknowledged during Canada’s Foreign Interference Commission.

Moninder Singh, Spokesperson for the BC Gurdwaras Council (BCGC) stated: “The latest revelations confirm what the Sikh community has known for years—India’s criminal activities in Canada are not isolated incidents, but part of a larger, coordinated effort to repress Sikh activists advocating for Khalistan. These actions represent a flagrant violation of Canada’s sovereignty, and while all steps taken against India’s violent repression of Sikhs and foreign interference within Canada are necessary, these steps need to be taken to the full extent including the revoking of diplomatic immunity and prosecution of individuals like Mr. Sanjay Kumar Verma.

The Sikh community must remain vigilant as Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly has publicly stated that India continues to pose a threat as more assassinations against Sikh leadership in Canada may be orchestrated. The BC Gurdwaras Council and Ontario Gurdwaras Committee (OGC) have been at the forefront of representing the Sikh community at the foreign interference inquiry in Ottawa where India’s interference in Canada and its repression activities against Sikhs is on full display within the public sphere. We are committed to ensuring that India be held to account and will continue to challenge India’s policy of using violence to silence legitimate dissent and the Sikh community’s pursuit of sovereignty. For the Sikh community and Canada, this is only the beginning of unraveling India’s intricate network of interference.”

The BCGC urges the Government of Canada to pursue legal action against all those involved in these violent crimes and ensure that India is not able to target the Sikh community through its foreign interference and transnational repression activities, which have already led to the assassination of Sikh leader Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar. All federal party leaders must demonstrate leadership and unity in condemning India’s repressive activities and ensure that Canada does not continue to allow Indian officials to target Sikhs and other dissidents with impunity.
Sikhs in Canada will not be silenced by Indian threats but will continue to take inspiration from Shaheed Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar and freely advocate for justice and Sikh sovereignty, Khalistan.

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Related Topics: Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar, British Columbia Gurdwaras Council (BCGC), Canada-India Diplomatic Tensions, Government of India, Gurdwaras Council, India's Transnational Repression, Justin Trudeau, Modi Government, Ontario Sikhs & Gurdwaras Council, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme, Sikh Diaspora, Sikh News Canada, Sikhs in Canada

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