Disturbing reports suggest that pro-Khalistan groups operating in Canada have been successful in enticing Sikh youth from India to immigrate to North America. These groups, which exercise control over gurdwaras, have allegedly formed alliances with individuals involved in organized crime in Punjab.
The Strategy: Visa Sponsorship with Hidden Agendas
According to sources, individuals or groups sympathetic to Khalistan within Canada have been luring Sikh youth with promises of visa sponsorship. However, their primary motive is far from altruistic; they aim to manipulate these individuals into advancing their pro-Khalistan goals within Canadian borders.
Key Figures Involved
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent figure in the Khalistani separatist movement whose killing has sparked tensions between India and Canada, is one of the individuals implicated in this scheme. Other names include Moninder Singh Bual, Parminder Pangli, and Bhagat Singh Brar, all allegedly instrumental in exploiting Sikh youth to further the pro-Khalistan agenda within Canada.
Addressing Manpower Shortages
The pro-Khalistan groups reportedly faced a manpower shortage and sought innovative solutions. They began offering sponsorship to susceptible Sikh youth from Punjab, facilitating their entry into Canada. Once there, these youth were directed towards medium-skilled occupations such as plumbing or truck driving, or involved in religious roles within gurdwaras controlled by these groups, serving as ‘Sewadars,’ ‘Pathis,’ and ‘Ragis,’ among other roles.
Exploitation for Pro-Khalistan Activities
These pro-Khalistan extremists allegedly exploit these Sikh youth to engage in activities that support the pro-Khalistan cause. This includes participating in anti-India protests, organizing programs, and conducting radical-religious congregations.
Targeting Vulnerable Individuals
The sources point out that vulnerable individuals, including illegal immigrants in Canada and students who have completed their studies but struggle to find employment, are the most susceptible targets. Pro-Khalistan extremists offer them shelter and low-paying jobs using gurdwara resources, making these individuals indebted to their benefactors.
Involvement of ISI-Backed Groups
The ISI-backed Khalistani group ‘Sikhs For Justice’ faced difficulties garnering support for its ‘Punjab Independence Referendum’ campaign. In response, individuals like Hardeep Singh Nijjar and his associates allegedly utilized these recruited individuals as “foot soldiers” to create the illusion of a successful campaign.
Control Over Gurdwaras
Pro-Khalistan extremists’ influence in Canada is amplified by their control over more than 30 gurdwaras in areas such as Surrey, Brampton, and Edmonton.
Links to Organized Crime
Reports suggest that figures like Nijjar, Bual, and Brar established connections with gangsters in Punjab, including the Davinder Bambhia gang, Arsh Dalla gang, and Lakhbir Landa gang. These gangsters were allegedly brought to Canada in exchange for using their operatives in Punjab for potential terror attacks.
False Political Asylum Claims
Some pro-Khalistan political parties in India are said to have charged individuals one to two lakh rupees for providing a ‘letter,’ which these individuals use to seek political asylum in Canada. They often claim persecution in India on religious grounds.
The Unsettling Reality
Once in Canada, these individuals frequently become affiliated with pro-Khalistan groups, effectively becoming part of the so-called “Khalistan brigade.”
A Growing Concern
This human trafficking channel allegedly operates under the watchful eyes of Canadian authorities, raising concerns about the nation’s sensitivity to human trafficking despite its overt stance on the matter.
The dispute between India and Canada arose when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested the “possible” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India vehemently denied these allegations, leading to diplomatic tensions and reciprocal expulsions of officials.
