On Sunday, November 10, a powerful protest broke out in Delhi against Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, following an attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada. Sikhs and Hindus gathered with a unified stance outside the Canadian High Commission, voicing their concerns over the incident.

Members of the Hindu Sikh Global Forum assembled on Sunday outside the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi to raise awareness about the recent attacks on Hindu temples in Canada. As the protest gained momentum, Delhi Police increased security in the area. The demonstrators, voicing concerns about violence against Hindus by Khalistani extremists, were halted by the police at Teen Murti Marg, according to ANI.

During the protest, a member of the Sikh Global Forum declared, “We are here to show that Sikhs have not attacked Hindus, we both are bonded through blood relations. For Hindus, Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh made sacrifices for the Hindu religion. How can they fight with each other? We are here at the Canadian Embassy to give a memorandum,” PTI reported.

The members of the Hindu Sikh Global Forum were on their way to the High Commission of Canada in Chanakyapuri to protest the attack on a Hindu temple in Canada, but were stopped by the Delhi Police at Teen Murti Marg.

On November 3, a disturbing incident unfolded in Canada when Hindu devotees, including women and children, were attacked and assaulted with sticks outside the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton by Khalistani extremists. This violent attack sparked widespread condemnation from world leaders and communities alike, highlighting the growing concerns over targeted acts of aggression against Hindu temples.

The Hindu Sikh Global Forum, a coalition representing both Hindu and Sikh communities, organized a march to stand in unity and demand action against such assaults. The organization aimed to send a powerful message about their collective demand for justice and their commitment to preserving community solidarity.

In his remarks, Tarvinder Singh Marwah, President of the Hindu Sikh Global Forum, expressed grave concerns about the repeated incidents targeting the Hindu and Sikh communities. He pointed out, “An entire generation had been destroyed during militancy. They were either killed or they migrated to other countries. Then they introduced drugs to ruin the life of our young generation,” Marwah told ANI. 

Marwah further explained that additional efforts have been made to weaken the community’s unity through forced religious conversions. He noted the distressing trend, stating, “And now this new thing of attacking temples has started. This is wrong and unfortunate.” His words highlighted a troubling escalation in tactics aimed at dividing and destabilizing the community. However, Marwah reaffirmed the collective resolve of Hindus and Sikhs, emphasizing their shared commitment to unity, saying, “We are here to tell you that we are all together. A true Sikh can never be a Khalistani. If they want a separate nation, they should keep it limited to themselves. We want our tricolour and our country to be respected at all times. India's Sikhs stand with India and do not support Khalistan.”

These protests occur against the backdrop of rising diplomatic tensions between Canada and India. The Justin Trudeau administration recently alleged India’s involvement in the killing of India-designated Khalistani terrorist, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun—a claim India dismissed as “absurd” and “motivated.” This accusation has strained relations between the two nations, with Canada designating Indian High Commissioner in Canada, Sanjay Verma, along with five other diplomats, as 'persons of interest' in the case. In response, India raised strong objections and subsequently recalled all six diplomats.

Amid these events, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar sharply criticized Canada, accusing it of welcoming individuals from India with ties to organized crime while disregarding repeated warnings from New Delhi.

Canada: PM Justin Trudeau Admits Presence of Khalistanis in the Country, Stresses They Don’t Represent ‘Sikh Community’

On November 7, during Diwali celebrations at Ottawa’s Parliament Hill, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau openly acknowledged the presence of pro-Khalistani elements within Canada. Addressing this issue directly for the first time, Trudeau emphasized that “these individuals do not represent the Sikh community as a whole.” His statement highlighted a clear distinction between the Sikh community and Khalistani supporters.

This admission by Trudeau came amid a period of heightened diplomatic strain between India and Canada. Relations between the two nations have worsened following accusations by Canada against Indian officials, including Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging their involvement in “criminal activities on Canadian soil.” These claims surfaced after the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a known Khalistani extremist, in June 2023.

In his speech, Trudeau remarked, “There are many supporters of Khalistan in Canada, but they do not represent the Sikh community as a whole.” This acknowledgment marks a shift in Trudeau’s stance, reflecting the impact of recent political events in Canada as the country heads toward General Elections. Additionally, the backlash from recent violent incidents tied to separatist movements has seemingly pressured Trudeau to distance his administration from these Khalistani elements.

Balancing Act with Hindu Community Remarks

Attempting to balance his statement, Trudeau also commented on the diversity of political views within Canada’s Hindu community. He noted that while some members of the Hindu community in Canada support Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in India, these individuals do not represent all Hindu Canadians. This remark was clearly a strategic attempt to underline the diversity of political ideologies in the country and avoid alienating any single community or ideology.

Diplomatic Row with India Intensifies

Diplomatic relations between India and Canada have reached a new level of tension, marked by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's accusation in the Canadian Parliament in September 2023 that Indian agents were involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India, however, firmly rejected these allegations, emphasizing that no credible evidence was shared by Canadian counterparts with the Indian government despite repeated requests. As the dispute intensified, both nations took actions to express their discontent, resulting in the expulsion of several diplomats from each side. Notably, the then-Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Verma, was labeled a “person of interest” in the ongoing investigation, a move that led India to recall its envoy from Ottawa and to expel six Canadian diplomats. These developments have deepened the diplomatic divide between the two countries, with repercussions visible in both political and community spheres.

Vote Bank Politics of Justin Trudeau and Its Criticism

The Trudeau administration has faced criticism for its lenient stance towards Khalistani terrorists and pro-Khalistani factions, a policy perceived as driven by electoral motives. Despite repeated warnings from India about the activities of pro-Khalistani groups, there has been a lack of concrete action from the Canadian government. Requests from India to extradite known Khalistani terrorists have also been continuously rejected, leaving these groups to operate freely. This inaction by Canadian law enforcement has allowed Khalistani elements to act without restriction, even going so far as to threaten and assault Indian diplomats on Canadian soil.

Recently, these pro-Khalistani groups stormed the Hindu Sabha Temple in Brampton, attacking Hindu devotees. This incident caused an outcry not only within the Hindu community but also among Canadian citizens, who found themselves amidst a conflict fueled by the government’s protective stance toward Khalistani elements. The sudden attack has brought the issue into the spotlight, with citizens questioning the government’s tolerance of such groups within Canada.

Trudeau’s recent acknowledgment of Khalistani supporters in Canada and his attempt to separate these individuals from the Sikh community might be an effort to address the growing concerns as Canada’s General Elections approach. His change in stance could signal a shift in response to both domestic backlash and international criticism, which may play a role in shaping the outcome of the upcoming elections.