In a disturbing turn of events, a pro-Khalistani organization, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has unleashed threats against Indian-origin Hindus residing in Canada. The tensions stem from their perceived support for India in the ongoing Nijjar killing controversy. It’s important to note that the SFJ has been outlawed in India since 2019.
The catalyst for this alarming situation was a viral video featuring Gurpatwant Pannun, SFJ’s legal counsel and a designated terrorist in India. In the video, Pannun brazenly stated, “Indo-Hindu, leave Canada; go to India. You not only support India but you are also supporting the suppression of speech and expression of pro-Khalistan Sikhs,”
The background of this threat revolves around the killing of Khalistan Tiger Force chief, wanted in India for various terror attacks, by two unidentified assailants outside a gurdwara in Surrey on June 18.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau further escalated tensions by accusing an Indian government agency of orchestrating the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June this year. India promptly dismissed these accusations as ‘absurd’ and subsequently demanded the departure of a Canadian diplomat within five days.
In response to Pannun’s menacing video, the Canadian Hindus for Harmony expressed grave concerns about the rise of what they termed as “full-scale Hinduphobia” across the country. Vijay Jain, a spokesperson for the group, alluded to the tragic events of June 1985, when a Khalistani bombing of an Air India flight resulted in the loss of 307 passengers and 22 crew members, marking the darkest chapter in Canadian terrorist history
Canadian Minister Anita Anand appealed for calm in a post on X (formerly Twitter), urging South Asians, regardless of religion, to allow the legal process to unfold calmly and empathetically.
This unfolding situation has raised alarm bells not only in Canada but also within the global Indian diaspora, highlighting the importance of addressing such issues with diplomacy and restraint. The world watches closely as tensions simmer between India and Canada, hoping for a peaceful resolution to this grave international incident.
