In a recent interview with a Canadian news outlet, Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun disregarded any threats made against him and vowed to continue his campaign for the global Khalistan referendum. He also criticized India's former High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, calling him a "hypocrite" and accusing him of building a spy network in Canada. This comes after Verma was recalled and accused by Canada of involvement in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Despite his designation as a terrorist by the Indian government, Pannun remains confident that more evidence will support his cause.
Canada's Liberal Party, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, is facing turmoil and declining popularity ahead of next year's elections. In an attempt to deflect from their sinking fortunes, the government has falsely accused India of involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This accusation has been debunked by the Indian government and is seen as a ploy to appease Sikh voters and deflect from Trudeau's failures.
After the recent vandalism of a Hindu temple in Canada by Khalistanis, Pannu has released a video demanding MP Chandra Arya and his supporters to give up Canadian citizenship and return to India. Pannu accuses Arya of working against Khalistani interests in Canada. However, Arya has countered Pannu's threats by stating his commitment to Canada and condemning the hate and violence perpetrated by Khalistanis. Pannu's actions have sparked outrage and criticism, with many calling out his attempts to spread hatred and divide communities in Canada.
India has lodged a strong protest with the Canadian High Commission in Delhi against the Canadian government's support for Khalistani activists. According to spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the Indian government has repeatedly called for action to be taken against extremist anti-India groups and those advocating violence. The protest comes after the Canadian Parliament observed a two-minute silence on the death anniversary of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, whom Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged was killed by the Indian government. In response, India has reaffirmed its commitment to providing unbiased and fact-based news through IBNS.
On the one-year anniversary of the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Canadian Parliament observed a moment of silence in his honor. Nijjar, a known Khalistani terrorist and 'Most Wanted' by the National Investigation Agency, was shot dead in the parking lot of a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia. The incident has led to tensions between India and Canada, with the Canadian government alleging India's involvement in the killing. However, India has refuted these allegations as "absurd and motivated."
A 52-year-old Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, has been extradited to the US from the Czech Republic for his alleged involvement in a plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a member of the organization Sikhs for Justice. The group advocates for a separate Sikh state named Khalistan. Gupta, who is currently being held at a detention facility in Brooklyn, has been charged with murder for hire and was arrested last June before the plot could be carried out. His lawyer claims that he is being unfairly prosecuted.
In an effort to defuse tensions between India and Canada, David Vigneault, the director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, reportedly made two discreet visits to India in February and March. During these visits, Vigneault shared information about the investigation into the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which sparked controversy after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested Indian involvement. Weeks after Vigneault's visits, Canada arrested four Indian nationals on charges related to the killing. The case highlights the strained ties between the two countries and the sensitive nature of counterterrorism efforts.
Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic Leblanc, along with Indian-origin Canadian member of Parliament Chandra Arya, has spoken out against the recent display of posters depicting the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in Vancouver. Both officials emphasized that promoting violence is never acceptable in Canada, and expressed concern over the continued attempts of Khalistani supporters to instill fear in Hindu-Canadians. The incident has further strained the relationship between India and Canada, as the Ministry of External Affairs has strongly condemned the celebration and glorification of violence.
Indian-origin Canadian member of parliament Chandra Arya has raised concern over posters depicting the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by Khalistani supporters in Canada. According to Arya, these posters are an attempt to incite fear among Hindu-Canadians and create a sense of violence. The use of images of guns and the prominence of Indira Gandhi's bindi on her forehead further target the Hindu community. The repeated incidents of pro-Khalistani actions have also led to tensions between India and Canada.
After being slapped by a female CISF constable at the airport, actress-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut shares insights on the incident, alleging that the constable came from behind and attacked her in a "Khalistani style". The newly elected MP also hints at the political motivation behind the attack and expresses concern over handling terrorism in Punjab. The constable, who was later arrested, reportedly took offence to Kangana's comments on Punjab ladies during the farmers' agitation.