Eyebrows were raised when the Canadian Parliament paid homage to Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a hardcore Pakistan-backed Khalistani terrorist named in several anti-Bharat campaigns globally. The one minute of silence observed by Canadian Parliament members for Nijjar, a wanted criminal in Bharat, does not augur well for bilateral relations or the global campaign against terrorism in all its forms.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau seems to be playing with ‘Khalistani fire’ to maintain his hold on office, even at the cost of sacrificing strong relations with India, all to preserve his political fiefdom with support from extremist groups. It’s not just the one minute of silence that raises concerns. Trudeau hailing Nijjar “for his persistent efforts in advancing the diversity and inclusion ideals that Canada cherishes” is deeply troubling and unacceptable.
By making peace with Khalistanis who advocate for a separate sovereign state, a stance not widely supported by Sikhs, Trudeau has exposed his political opportunism. He seems to have conveniently banked on anti-Bharat forces to present himself as a leader who genuinely cares for his country. In doing so, Trudeau has effectively appeased his political support base within the Khalistani movement while diverting attention from Canada’s pressing domestic issues.
In fact, Indian-descent MP Chandan Arya exposed the extremist role of Canadian Khalistani elements in the bombing of Air India Flight 182, which occurred 39 years ago on June 23. Coincidentally, this very day is remembered in Canada as the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism. The mid-air bombing of the Kanishka aircraft resulted in the loss of 329 innocent lives, including crew members, to terrorists who had made Canada their home.
Rightly so, Arya pointed to the ideology responsible for the Kanishka bombing that remains prevalent among a small segment of Canadians. The recent celebration honouring the late former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is yet another incident where terrorism is glorified, violence is mainstreamed, and hate and violence are eulogised. It also indicates that the dark forces responsible for these terrorist events are regrouping, which portends terrible events to come.
The Khalistani movement’s history is marked by murder and bloodshed. Tens of thousands of Hindus and Sikhs have been slain by terrorists, not only in India but also in the US, Australia, the UK, Germany, and other countries. Many in Canada tend to overlook that 39 years ago, terrorists including Talwinder Singh Parmar (a Canadian citizen), Inderjit Singh Reyat (who held both British and Canadian citizenship), Ajaib Singh Bagri (a US citizen), Ripudaman Singh Malik, Surjan Singh Gill, Hardial Singh Johal, Daljit Sandhu, and Lakhbir Singh Rode (all Canadian citizens) bombed Air India flight. Unfortunately, there are still places in Canada where these terrorists are revered as ‘demi-gods’ by some worshippers.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of ‘Sikhs for Justice’ openly threatening the lives of Hindu Canadians is nothing short of “glorifying terrorism” and endorsing hate crimes under the guise of “freedom of expression”. Under Trudeau’s gross mismanagement, Canada has deteriorated into an extreme version of Pakistan.
The Canadian economy, once in shambles, has yet to fully recover. The meagre incomes earned by ordinary Canadians are being eroded by persistent inflation, which continues to disrupt the economy. The cost of living in Canada has nearly tripled in three years, and skyrocketing housing rents have left many without homes. Over 40,000 deaths in eight years due to drug overdoses have turned the country into a burgeoning hub of narco-terrorism. As Pakistan grapples with Islamic terrorism, Canada appears to be following the Khalistani path.
Since his minority government depends on the support of the New Democratic Party led by Khalistani Jagmeet Singh, Justin Trudeau has pursued his own agenda. Trudeau, much like his alliance partner Jagmeet, sees no issue with pro-Khalistan activities occurring on Canadian soil. Trudeau’s overt backing of terrorists like Nijjar has legitimised the violence perpetrated by Khalistani groups in Canada. Besides endangering the security of Hindus in Canada, Trudeau has snatched the rights of common Canadian citizens to profit from shifting geopolitical conditions.
Trudeau, who accuses India of involvement in Nijjar’s death, remained silent on Karima Baloch, an activist who fled persecution by the Pakistani government and settled in Canada. Trudeau twiddled his thumb when Opposition leader Michael Chong alleged that he was being targeted by a Chinese diplomat.
Canada’s transformation into a safe haven for Pakistan-backed Khalistani terrorism is a consequence of Trudeau’s selective silence on the genuine concerns of Canadian residents, which he only breaks when a terrorist is killed as part of his vote-bank politics. Canada as a nation will now pay the price of Khalistani appeasement by its prime minister who is responsible for harbouring organised crime, aiding terrorists, and sheltering criminals. Trudeau has isolated Canada from the Western world. What a catastrophe!
India is upset with Canadian theatrics. “India stands at the forefront of countering menace of terrorism and works closely with all nations to tackle this global threat. 23 June 2024 marks the 39th Anniversary of the cowardly terrorist bombing of Air India flight 182 (Kanishka), in which 329 innocent victims, including 86 children, lost their lives in one of the most heinous terror-related air disasters in the history of civil aviation,” the Consulate General of India in Vancouver said in a statement.
Canada’s unflinching support to anti-India forces may disturb the delicate applecart. It is crucial to brace up and combat terrorists of Khalistani or Islamist orientations in the global interest.
The author is Head of Operations at the Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies (CIHS), a non-partisan think tank based in New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
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