Canada Accuses Indian Home Minister of Targeting Sikh Separatists on Its Soil

Canada has made a shocking accusation against Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that he is behind plots to target Sikh separatists on Canadian soil. This comes after Canada's recent expulsion of six Indian diplomats linked to the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023. The move is seen as a significant escalation in the long-standing dispute between Canada and India over the incident.

The allegations against Shah are not the first of their kind. In April, the US charged a former Indian government official with directing a plot to murder a Sikh separatist. This incident, combined with the Canadian government's expulsion of Indian diplomats and Toronto's condemnation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's controversial policies, has strained relations between the two countries. The accusations against Shah are also fuelled by the involvement of Indian intelligence in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a vocal advocate for an independent Sikh homeland, known as Khalistan. The killing has outraged the Sikh community, particularly in Canada.

Canada's allegations against Amit Shah have added to a growing list of concerns about Indian government involvement in violent acts against Sikh separatists. India has consistently denied any wrongdoing and accused activist groups of inciting violence against Sikhs, but Canada's claims have heightened tensions. The support for the Khalistan movement has been growing increasingly vocal, particularly in Canada, following the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The expulsion of the Indian diplomats and India's view that it was an act of prejudice against its citizens further fuelled concerns that tensions will continue to escalate.

The targeted killings and accusations of smear campaigns and disinformation by India have had far-reaching impacts on relations between the nations. They have raised further concerns among diplomats and citizens about the well-being of those caught in the middle – the vocal supporters of the Khalistan movement. This has sparked concerns about public perception and created calls for the Canadian and Indian governments to urgently address the rising tensions and violations.

Conflicts between Canada and India escalate amid disputes between each nation over 2023 murder of Hackers abuse Sikh activists