Canadian Sikhs Voice Fear and Gratitude Following Prime Minister Trudeau’s Statement on India
OTTAWA, Sept 30 – Canadian Sikhs are expressing their appreciation for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s recent stand against India, despite fears of severe backlash, as they believe it brings attention to their concerns. The Prime Minister’s comments suggested a possible link between the murder of a Sikh separatist leader and the Indian government’s involvement.
The Sikh community in Canada, which constitutes the largest population of Sikhs outside of Punjab, India, has long faced criticism from the Indian government due to some community members’ support for Khalistan, an independent Sikh state. The recent murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia intensified these tensions.
While India has denied any involvement in Nijjar’s death, Canadian Sikhs remain unconvinced and fear for their safety. In protest, a small group of Sikhs demonstrated in front of the Indian High Commission in Ottawa. The situation escalated when both countries expelled diplomats in retaliation, with India going a step further by issuing a travel warning and halting visa issuance to Canadians.
Trudeau’s strong stance against India risks disrupting Canada’s strategic relationship with the country and diverting attention from domestic concerns, such as the high cost of living. However, the Canadian Sikh population has significant political influence, with 15 Sikh members in the House of Commons, comprising over 4% of the seats, despite being just 2% of the country’s total population. Furthermore, Jagmeet Singh, the leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party, is Sikh, adding to the community’s political presence.
“In political terms, this is a no-brainer: You have to get out ahead of the story and express outrage,” said Fen Hampson, a professor of international affairs at Carleton University in Ottawa.
India, on the other hand, dismissed Trudeau’s claims as “unsubstantiated allegations” and accused Canada of providing shelter to Khalistani terrorists and extremists. However, Canada insists that Sikhs have the right to peaceful protest, with no evidence of violence or terrorist activity.
The tensions between Canada and India are causing concern among those who support Khalistan in Canada. Gurmeet Singh Toor, a friend of the murdered Nijjar and a Khalistan supporter, was informed by federal police that his life may be in danger. While the police document did not offer any specifics about the threat, the RCMP declined to confirm its validity, citing potential risks to the individual involved.
The demand for Khalistan, which seeks a separate Sikh homeland, led to a violent insurgency in the 1980s and 1990s, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands. Today, support for Khalistan in Punjab is minimal.
Despite the varying opinions within the Canadian Sikh community regarding Khalistan, many believe that everyone should have the right to express their own views. They see Trudeau’s statements as a defense of Canadian democratic values, as he prioritizes the safety of citizens while not actively supporting Khalistan.
Prime Minister Trudeau’s stance on India comes at a critical time as he aims to regain popularity amid concerns about the cost of living. However, the tensions with India have hindered his ability to effectively communicate his new policies. Senior officials in Ottawa acknowledge the interference caused by these tensions.
Suk Dhaliwal, a Sikh member of parliament for Surrey, emphasized that he is not a Khalistan separatist but a Canadian who supports peaceful protests. He claims that his constituents have suspected Indian government involvement in Nijjar’s murder since June. Dhaliwal expressed relief that Trudeau has shown leadership in bringing this issue to light.
Prime Minister Trudeau, who remains the longest-serving progressive leader in the G7, is currently struggling in opinion polls. As he implements measures to address the high cost of living and regain support, the tensions with India have added an additional challenge to his efforts.
Reporting by Steve Scherer; Additional reporting by Wa Lone in Toronto; Editing by Denny Thomas and Daniel Wallis