Canada: In a distressing turn of events, representatives from a Gurdwara in British Columbia have voiced their concerns about community safety following the assassination of their president in 2023. They argue that their communities will not feel secure until the Indian consulates in Vancouver and Toronto are permanently closed. This statement comes in the wake of the Canadian governments expulsion of six Indian diplomats, including the high commissioner, over allegations of their involvement in serious crimes linked to the Khalistan independence movement.The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has asserted that they possess evidence suggesting the Indian diplomats involvement in homicide and extortion, especially targeting individuals associated with the Khalistani movement. In a high-level meeting in Canada, Khalistani advocates demanded that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau take decisive action against the Indian embassies.Khalistanis in a high level meeting in Canada have demanded that Justin Trudeau shut down the Indian embassies in Vancouver and Toronto.Also demand that Justin Trudeau investigate his own Liberal MP, Chandra Arya, for openly espousing support for the Modi government. pic.twitter.com/QBVwnZmuzG— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) October 16, 2024Moreover, they are calling for an investigation into Liberal MP Chandra Arya, who has been accused of openly supporting the Modi government.Context of the tensionsThe tensions escalated after credible intelligence emerged regarding the Indian governments connection to the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar, who was gunned down outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey in June 2023, was a prominent figure within the Sikh community. Following his death, community members held a press conference to address the ongoing safety concerns.Calls for accountabilityGurkeerat Singh, a spokesperson for the Gurdwara, stated, The safety and security of Sikhs will still be in question unless Indian consulates are closed. Similarly, Jatinder Singh Grewal from Sikhs for Justice highlighted that threats to the Sikh community in Canada have increased since an Indian diplomat was expelled last year.He also emphasised the need to investigate the true source of threats against Sikhs, claiming that Indian diplomats in Canada are allegedly surveilling pro-Khalistani Sikhs and providing information to individuals back in India.Recent developments in diplomacyOn Monday, the Canadian government announced the expulsion of six Indian diplomats due to allegations of criminal activity. This move followed a direct response from India, which expelled six Canadian diplomats, stating that the allegations against its representatives were baseless and politically motivated.The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India firmly rejected Canadas claims regarding its diplomats being persons of interest in ongoing investigations, labeling such insinuations as part of a political agenda driven by Trudeaus government. The MEA also accused the Canadian administration of providing a platform for violent extremists to threaten Indian officials and community leaders.As diplomatic relations continue to strain, the call for the closure of Indian consulates by Gurdwara representatives highlights the growing fears within the Sikh community regarding their safety in Canada.
