Representatives of the Sikh community in British Columbia have expressed ambivalent sentiments regarding Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement recognising a potential role played by the Indian Government in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Moninder Singh, representing the BC Gurdwaras Council, interpreted Trudeau’s words as a belated acceptance of past concerns about alleged Indian intrusion in Canadian affairs. He highlighted the community’s longstanding pursuit of the issue, expressing disappointment that it took Nijjar’s death to bring the matter to attention.
Trudeau had earlier briefed the House of Commons, informing them of ongoing investigations by national security agencies into possible links between Indian government agents and Nijjar’s murder on June 18. The BC Sikh leader noted the recognition of India’s potential involvement in the killing as a positive step, but remained doubtful about forthcoming sanctions pending verifiable arrests.
Authorities haven’t yet made any arrests or exposed a motive in connection with the slaying. An investigation team identified three murder suspects including two robustly built, masked individuals, seen escaping the murder scene on foot, and another individual waiting in a nearby parked car. Singh expressed concerns over the lingering uncertainty concerning the murder and implied a collective lack of trust in the justice system within the community.
Singh further called for an immediate public inquiry into India’s interference in Canada, a sentiment expressed prior to Nijjar’s death. He also revealed plans for peaceful protests across Canada in late September. Singh is pressing for the termination of intelligence agreements between Canada and India, arguing their potential risk to Sikh activists.
These concerns arise amid the recent G20 summit, where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed disapproval regarding Canada’s management of the Punjabi independence movement. Modi alleged, according to an official statement from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, anti-India activities by extremist elements in Canada.
Nijjar, a prominent supporter of the movement for the independent Sikh Khalistan state, had inspired fear among advocates. Still, Singh stated it would not silence them. He thinks Nijjar’s murder will henceforth galvanise the global Khalistan activism, predicting that Canada would maintain its role as a propagators’ hub given its sizeable Sikh diaspora.
Symbolising Nijjar as the heart of the community, Gurkeerat Singh disclosed that he was more than a local temple leader. Nijjar was an advocate for global human rights whose loss is mourned by the community. They view him as a martyr and intend to continue his legacy by countering prejudice and human rights offenses allegedly perpetrated by the Indian administration.
In a recent statement, Premier David Eby communicated his dismay over allegations of foreign interference and underlined Canada’s democratic ideals for a safe environment, free from threats, intimidation, or physical harm imposed by foreign governments. He requested that federal officials share all relevant information concerning ongoing foreign encroachment and transnational organized crime threats with provincial entities.