Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau may have just got a chance to consider the sensitivities in India over the threats playing out on Canadian soil by pro-Khalistan elements as he was forced to extend his stay in the country owing to a technical failure in his aircraft. The anti-India referendum in Surrey, where Khalistani separatist and founder of the banned Sikh for Justice Gurpatwant Pannun was seen inciting the crowd on September 10, has come as rude reminder and proof of anti-India rallies being allowed on Canadian soil. Government sources pointed out that the evidence was “direct’’ and did not require New Delhi to hand over piles of documentary proof to raise the issue that has the potential of becoming a thorn in the ties, if left unaddressed.
Trudeau’s isolation on the issue has become more stark after the G20 summit where the UK—yet another hotbed for pro-Khalistani sympathisers—which witnessed recent incidents of attack on Indian flag on its soil, has assured New Delhi of strict action against the threats posed by the extremists. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak did not mince words when he said there will be zero tolerance to Khalistani elements, as the country does not accept any forms of extremism.
Security officials said Trudeau is expected to find it increasingly hard to side step the issue as one that involves “freedom of speech’’ and human rights while going forward. The G20 countries have flagged the issue of terrorism, small arms, terror safe havens in the Leaders’ Declaration—a win for India which has been facing cross-border and trans-national threats from pro-Khalistani groups operating on Canadian soil backed by the Pakistan’s ISI.
The attempts to fuel unrest in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab by Khalistani operatives sitting in Canada and supported by Pakistan sending small arms and light weapons through drones into Indian territory, are an ugly demonstration of the incitement being spread by likes of Pannun, security officials pointed out, as images of him being escorted by a team of security guards in Surrey were splashed on social media. It has also come as a grim reminder of the Canadian government dragging its feet on the pending demands by India on the extradition of at least half a dozen gangsters hiding on its soil.
These include Satwinder Singh alias Goldy Brar, the alleged mastermind of Sidhu Moosewala murder in 2022. Brar has a lookout circular and red corner notice against him. India has also sought extradition of Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dala, allegedly involved in targeted killings at the behest of Surrey-based Hardeep Singh Nijjar, self styled chief of Khalistan Tiger Force who died in June.
Dalla is learnt to hold permanent residency in Canada where he is allegedly running an extortion racket using his contacts in Punjab and sending money to gangsters and terror operatives. Ramandeep Singh alias Raman Judge, another aide of Dalla, runs a similar gangster ring from Canadian soil, according to investigators who revealed that both have lookout circulars and red notices against them.
The list is longer. Charanjit Singh alias Rinku Randhawa, Gurpinder Singh alias Baba Dalla—another gangster involved in murder and extortion cases in Punjab—and Sukhdul Singh alias Sukhu Duneke, also known to be in Canada, have figured in the lists handed over by India to the Canadian authorities. The Punjab police is also on the lookout for Lakhbir Landa, accused in terror attack on Punjab intelligence headquarters in Mohali in 2022 where rocket propelled grenade was used. He is also known to be in Canada and alleged to have links with Pakistan ISI and Harwinder Singh Rinda, a pro-Khalistani terrorist based in Pakistan, who is also using local associates to stir trouble in Punjab.
As Trudeau spends an extra few hours on Indian soil, all eyes are on the pro-Khalistani activities on Canadian soil where an approximate 5000-7000 people turned up for the anti-India gathering in Surrey. This was the same event earlier scheduled to be held at a government school but the permission was later revoked. The crowd may have thinned after the intervention of Indian agencies, but the activities have surely not gone unnoticed by New Delhi which feels more action needs to be done by the last guest leaving.
