Reaction: Indian diplomats expelled for “murders, extortion” against Canadian Sikhs

The fallout of the assassination of Shaheed (Sikh martyr) Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar continued as the Canadian government announced the expulsion orders of six Indian State diplomats connected with the 2023 murder of the Sikh leader, as well as other crimes (14th Oct).

The announcement by Liberal Party Prime Minister Justin Trudeau affirming India’s involvement in the street crime targeting Canadian critics of India’s Narendra Modi regime came after India refused to waive diplomatic immunity of diplomats, including now expelled High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, preventing authorities from investigating them regarding homicide, extortion and more.

All the expelled six (thus far unnamed) are considered persons of interest in ongoing investigations. The assassins behind the Nijjar killing remain on trial as a wider investigation on the June 2023 assassination continues, with it believed to be uncovering senior Indian Government involvement in the Guru Nanak Gurdwara shooting.

In response to Canada’s move, India simply copied the act to also expel six Canadian diplomats. India’s ministry of external affairs also announced that it is withdrawing its envoy, High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, along with “other targeted diplomats and officials” from Canada, in a clear face saving exercise.

As well as the press conference by Trudeau’s government, the RCMP also held a press conference on the issue where they expanded about the well-known involvement of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as street enforcers for the Indian nationalist regime, whilst detailing a “wider campaign” being carried out to target Sikhs.

See reaction from Sikh orgs to the momentous news below.