Sikh body call statement on “anti-India activities” in Canada a “political stunt”

Canada’s World Sikh Organization (WSO) have called an Indian Govt claim about an increase in “anti-India activities” in Canada a “political stunt”.

The Indian Govt statement, issued by the Ministry Of External Affairs and shared by India’s Ottawa High Commission Twitter account, came on the back of 100k+ Sikhs taking part in the entirely peaceful and legal Khalistan (free Sikh homeland) Referendum in Brampton (Ontario) on 18th September.

The statement called for Indian nationals and students in Canada to remain “vigilant” in regards to “a sharp increase in hate crimes”. In response, WSO explained to Canadian media how the statement was an attempt to “express anger” towards Canada for allowing the referendum go ahead. WSO also highlighted that there was zero incidents of sectarian violence which India could point towards. Balpreet Singh of WSO said of India’s statement, “India has consistently tried to marginalize and silence voices that support Khalistan.”

The Sikh Press Association is only aware of one incident linked to any recent “anti-India” claims, with a Mandir (Hindu place of worship) in Toronto being daubed in graffiti stating “Khalistan” and “Hindustan Murdabad” (which is being translated as “Death To India”) on 14.09.22. Although police are yet to confirm who is behind the vandalism, Indo-Canadian MP Chandra Arya already claimed it was the act of “Khalistani extremists”, even though police have not made an arrest regarding the incident yet.. However, last year a man with an Indian Hindu name was arrested for daubing property in anti-Sikh graffiti, leading many to speculate the graffiti may have been the act of Indian nationalists looking to malign the 18th September Khalistan Referendum.

The referendum event by Sikhs For Justice was carried out entirely peacefully and legally. Yet, reports from Indian media claimed there was anger among the Narendra Modi’s BJP far-right govt towards Canadian authorities for allowing the event to go ahead. The event, which has more voting events set to be announced across Canada shortly, is entirely within basic democratic process, yet illegal in India, with Sikhs For Justice being designated a terror group for running the campaign.

In a strange turn, Indian media outlets later started amalgamating India’s Ministry Of External Affairs statement with another statement made by the Minister of External Affairs, Arindam Bagchi, which said the Khalistan Referendum was only participated in by “extremist and radical elements”, to come up with a completely fabricated quote about “‘pro-Khalistan’ hate crimes”. Tellingly, prominent right-wing Canadian journalist Candice Malcolm shared the fabricated accusation which no Indian authority ever actually made, due to the fact there are no incidents of pro-Khalistan hate crimes being carried out in Canada, for decades at least.

Meanwhile, pro-Hindutva (Hindu extremist) anti-Sikh Indian nationalist acts in Canada have seemed to become common over the last 18months, as documented in this article by Sikh PA about a bomb hoax made to disrupt a Sikh Genocide remembrance event earlier this year.