The recent events in Toronto, Canada, where members of the Indian diaspora rallied to counter a pro-Khalistan protest, have brought to light the escalating tensions between the Indian community and Khalistani separatists in the country. The Indian community, holding the Tricolour, gathered outside the consulate to protect their diplomats and the consulate office, and unitedly countered the pro-Khalistan protest.

The Indian diasporas were seen raising slogans like “Bharat mata ki jai”, “Vande Mataram”, “Long Live India” and “Khalistan Murdabad”, and carried placards, written, “Khalistanis are not Sikh”, and “Canada stop supporting Khalistani Canadian terrorists”.

The pro-Khalistan protesters, in the purported video, could be seen disrespecting the Tricolour. Sunil Arora, one of the Indian diaspora in Canada, said, “We are standing here in front of the Consulate to face the Khalistanis. We are trying to stop Khalistanis nonsense here and we are here for the solidarity of India and Canada, altogether. They are giving wrong information saying that they will kill our diplomats which is… and we are totally against that.”

The Khalistan movement, a separatist movement seeking to create a homeland for Sikhs by establishing an ethno-religious sovereign state called Khalistan, has been gaining momentum in Canada. The country has become a hub for anti-India activities and a safe haven for separatists. The Khalistan movement started to deepen its roots in Punjab in the 1980s, and its direct links were traced to Canada.

In the past couple of months, three major anti-India incidents involving Khalistani separatists have been reported in Canada. However, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has seemingly not taken any strong action against what is now being called by observers as “new resurgence of Khalistani activism” in his country.

The Canadian government's response to the circulation of Khalistani posters naming Indian officials has been to assure India of the safety of its diplomats and term the “promotional material” circulated ahead of a Khalistani protest “unacceptable”. However, observers say more needs to be done. The statement by Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly came after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India had asked partner countries like Canada, the UK, and the US not to give space to “extremist Khalistani ideology” as it was “not good” for relations.

The political factor plays a significant role in this issue. Hoping that his handling of the pandemic will help his Liberal Party win a majority in the House of Commons, Trudeau called for an early election in September 2021. This even though opponents warned that voting amid Covid surge was dangerous. The results of the 338-member House of Commons were also not to his expectations. His Liberal Party lost 20 seats, lowering its tally to 157 from 177 at the time of dissolution; opposition Conservative won 121 seats, Bloc Quebecois 32, NDP 24, Green Party 3 and one Independent.

Headed by Jagmeet Singh ‘Jimmy’ Dhaliwal, the New Democratic Party (NDP) won 24 seats in 2021, making it critical for the survival of the Trudeau government. This may be among the reasons why Trudeau cannot afford to antagonise “someone who is a known Khalistani supporter”, say observers.

The attitude of Canadian authorities has also been a matter of concern. Despite the fact that India signed an extradition treaty with Canada on 6th Feb 1987, very little progress has been made in this regard. The reason is the Canadian laws which have so many loopholes that it is very easy for any criminal to pass through the eyes of Canadian authorities. As a result, renowned separatist leaders including Khalistan Tiger Force Chief Harjeet Singh Nijjar, Arshdeep Singh Arsh, Gurpatwant Singh Pannu and many others including the murderer of famous Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala- Goldy Brar are enjoying safe haven in Canada.

Deep entrenchment of drug cartels in Canadian Law enforcement agencies is another factor contributing to the rise of anti-India sentiment in Canada. After fugitives found that they can have a safe haven in Canada, they started running their activities including drug business from Canada. In addition to these fugitives, a significant number of Pakistani nationals who migrated to Canada in the early nineteenth century have also become part of these cartels for easy money. They started channelizing the drugs coming from Afghanistan, America, and Latin America to their network in India & Europe with the help of Pakistan ISI.

These cartels have penetrated deep into the Canadian system. Their influence over law enforcement agencies is so high that when on 19th March 2023, an event in Surrey, British Columbia to honor Indian High Commissioner Mr. Sanjay Kumar Verma was canceled amid anti-Indian protests, Canadian police were totally silent and took no step to facilitate his security and as a result, an independent journalist was assaulted by separatists.

The rise of anti-India sentiment in Canada is a matter of concern. It has become a safe haven for terrorists, criminals, and drug cartels and an immediate stop at these activities needs to be brought by the Canadian government. It’s now or never. No country should allow its land to be used against another democracy and Canada should follow this principle. In case they do not, they will fall victim to it too like Pakistan. For over four decades, Pakistan exported terror to the rest of the world and now the same terror is shaking the very foundations of the country. Canada should understand this too. Today the separatists who are speaking against India will stand against it too tomorrow.

Netizen reactions

1. "We stand united against Khalistani separatism. Our solidarity is our strength, and we will not let misinformation and threats deter us." - Sunil Arora, Indian diaspora in Canada

2. "Canada is a peaceful country, and we want it to remain so. The government must recognize that promoting separatism is not freedom of expression." - Vidya Bhushan Dhar, Indian community member

3. "We are here to support the Indian Consulate and stand up against the Khalistani threat. We will not be intimidated." - Anil Shiringi, member of the Indian diaspora

4. "The rise of anti-India sentiment in Canada is alarming. The country must not allow its land to be used against another democracy." - Anonymous

5. "Today the separatists who are speaking against India will stand against Canada too tomorrow. It's now or never for Canada to act." - Anonymous