India vehemently denied the allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding any involvement in the killing of a Canadian Sikh leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar was fatally shot outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia on June 18.
Trudeau asserted that Canadian intelligence had established a “credible” connection between Nijjar’s death and the Indian state, a claim firmly rejected by India’s foreign ministry. They characterized these allegations as “absurd” and driven by political motives, emphasizing India’s commitment to the rule of law and its democratic principles.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, aged 45, fell victim to a shooting incident in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, located about 30 km east of Vancouver. Nijjar was a prominent Sikh leader in British Columbia and an advocate for Khalistan, the idea of an independent Sikh homeland in India’s Punjab region. His activism had previously made him the target of threats.
Militant separatist group
India had previously labeled Nijjar as a terrorist and accused him of leading a militant separatist group, allegations refuted by his supporters as “unsubstantiated.”
Trudeau disclosed that he had discussed Nijjar’s killing with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G20 summit in Delhi, asserting that any foreign government’s involvement in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil violated the country’s sovereignty.
The White House also expressed its deep concern about Trudeau’s allegations on Tuesday.
India had consistently denied any involvement in Sikh leader Nijjar’s murder and accused Canada of sheltering “Khalistani terrorists and extremists” who posed a threat to India’s security.
Canada responded by expelling an Indian diplomat, Pavan Kumar Rai, in connection with the case. Trudeau revealed that Canada had expressed its concerns about Nijjar’s death to high-level security and intelligence agencies in India. He also raised the issue with US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Trudeau emphasized that Nijjar’s shooting had provoked anger among Canadians and heightened concerns for their safety.