Khalistanis plan to disrupt Dussehra event in Canada: Report
Khalistani groups are reportedly planning major disruptions at the Dussehra celebrations organized by the Hindu community in Surrey, Canada, on Tuesday (local time). Numerous people and organizations supporting Khalistan aim to use large vehicles to obstruct entry for Hindus at the Vijayadashami program venue, News18 reported, citing sources. Additionally, the pro-Khalistan groups are likely to mobilize protestors who have already assembled in Surrey for an upcoming referendum event on Saturday.
Why does this story matter?
This development comes amid rising tensions between India and Canada after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's accusation that India was involved in the June assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, near Vancouver. In the midst of a worsening bilateral relationship, India has asked Canada to reduce its diplomatic mission at the beginning of this month. Moreover, for years, India has accused Canada of giving free rein to Sikh separatists like Nijjar.
Khalistanis to burn effigies of Indian leaders, hold referendum
Khalistani groups reportedly plan to cause "major insults to Hindus and Indians" in Canada by burning effigies of top Indian politicians, per News18. Meanwhile, local Hindus alleged the Royal Canadian Mounted Police was hesitant to intervene, saying the friction was between India and Sikhs. Reportedly, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has called on Canadian Sikhs to convene in Vancouver on Saturday for a referendum to fix accountability for Nijjar's death.
Radicalizing youth through radio, international support
Separately, Khalistani groups are allegedly utilizing radio stations to radicalize Sikhs born after 1984. The group has enlisted Radio Punjab Vancouver for a daily two-hour program designed to radicalize listeners, with calls originating from as far away as California. Per News18, Sikhs from Italy, Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom have congregated in Vancouver for another Khalistani event led by Jalandhar-origin gangster Amritbir Singh Cheema, who is wanted in multiple cases in Punjab.
Hoardings in Canada threaten PM Modi, Jaishankar
Last week, India's Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had to upgrade the security cover of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to the Z category. This came after the SFJ put up hoardings calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jaishankar "enemies of Canada," per Hindustan Times. A billboard calling for a Khalistan referendum while promoting hatred against Indian leaders came up on October 10 outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in British Columbia's Surrey, where Nijjar was reportedly killed in June.
