Canada Accuses India’s Home Minister of Targeting Sikhs

Canada has accused India’s Home Minister Amit Shah of orchestrating a campaign of violence, intimidation, and intelligence-gathering targeting Sikh separatists in Canada. Canadian Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister David Morrison confirmed Shah’s name to The Washington Post, which initially reported the allegations. Morrison stated in a 29 Oct parliamentary committee meeting that Canada has evidence of India gathering intelligence on its citizens and Indian nationals within Canada through diplomatic proxies and relaying it to networks tied to incarcerated criminal Lawrence Bishnoi. Canada alleges that Shah, a close ally of Indian PM Narendra Modi, ordered the campaign, which includes the 2023 assassination of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Top Canadian officials admitted to leaking sensitive details regarding India’s foreign interference to The Washington Post without informing the Canadian public first. Nathalie Drouin, the Canadian national-security and intelligence adviser, stated that the leak was part of a strategic communication effort to present Canada’s perspective in its ongoing dispute with India.This strategy was executed without PM Justin Trudeau’s authorization and coincided with the expulsion of six Indian diplomats on 14 Oct. The US expressed concerns over the allegations involving Shah, and is maintaining consultations with Canada, having also indicted Indian intelligence’s Research and Analysis Wing’s former official Vikash Yadav for a foiled assassination plot against Sikh for Justice leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun (SDW Vol 2, Issue 43, Story 1). India strongly protested Canada’s allegations linking Shah to the violence against Sikhs in Canada. India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, called the implication ‘absurd and baseless’, warning that it would have serious consequences.

Over the Diwali (Festival of lights) weekend (2-3 Nov), violence erupted during demonstrations in Brampton and Mississauga, Canada. The incidents began outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir (temple) in Brampton. Indian consular officials were visiting the temple to provide services related to Indian pensioners and were involved in clashes between Khalistan and Hindutva supporters. Sri Guru Singh Sabha gurdwara in Malton, Mississauga was also reportedly targeted by Hindutva supporters later that evening. Peel police confirmed one of their off-duty officers participated in the demonstration and has been suspended pending investigation. Canadian PM Justin Trudeau condemned the acts of violence. India’s PM Narendra Modi also condemned the temple incident, calling it a ‘deliberate attack’. Clashes erupted in Surrey, British Columbia as well outside the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir on 3 Nov, as it also hosted Indian consular officials. Earlier, a British Columbia Supreme Court passed an order to establish a buffer zone around the Ross Street Gurdwara in anticipation of expected confrontations between protesters and Indian consular officials on 2 Nov and 16 Nov. At the same time, Canada’s Communications Security Establishment reported that India is using cyber technology to monitor Sikh separatists abroad and has intensified cyber-attacks against Canadian govt. networks. Amid this row, a national advocacy group called Sikh Federation Canada and part of the Global Sikh Federation has been formed to unite Sikh voices across the country. The federation issued several calls to action, urging the Canadian govt. to suspend intelligence agreements with India and for a public inquiry into the Nijjar assassination.

After over twenty years, in 2024 Bandi Chhor Diwas (Free Prisoners Day) or Diwali (Festival of Lights) fell on 1 Nov. The date was within the 1984 Sikh genocide remembrance period 31 Oct-2 Nov. The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) appealed to the community not to light lamps on Bandi Chhor Divas because the celebrations coincide with the anniversary of 1984 Sikh genocide’s 40^th anniversary. Ironically, on 30 Oct, the Indian Ministry of Culture posted on X about Bandi Chhor Diwas. The post included a 43-second pictorial video with the caption, ‘Do you know? Sikhs around the globe celebrate #BandiChhorDiwas as a powerful symbol of oneness & compassion (sic). This tradition is celebrated alongside #Diwali. Watch the video to learn the story behind this inspiring celebration.’ The post sparked controversy as right-wing trolls criticized it for allegedly renaming Diwali as Bandi Chhor Diwas to dissociate it from the Hindu festival, claiming it lacked historical basis. In response to the backlash, within a few hours, the ministry removed the post from X. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) condemned the tweet deletion and urged Sikhs to only light lamps on the occasion. In other news, the SGPC has announced the formation of an 11-member advisory board for Akal Takht (Eternal Throne; AT) to streamline processes amid ongoing issues concerning SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal’s misconduct. AT Jathedar (leader) Giani Raghbir Singh has called a meeting of about 18 Sikh scholars, intellectuals, and veteran journalists on 6 Nov to discuss the matter of Badal’s punishment upon earlier being pronounced tankhaiya (guilty of religious misconduct).

The Punjab and Haryana High Court (PHHC) pulled up the Special Investigation Team (SIT) looking into the Lawrence Bishnoi interview case saying police officers permitted Bishnoi to use electronic devices and provided a studio-like setting for his interview (SDW Vol 2, Issue 29, Story 4), which glorified crime. PHHC has ordered a new SIT to probe ‘criminal conspiracy, abetment, forgery and offenses under the Prevention of Corruption Act, Information Technology Act and also other offenses.’ Meanwhile, on 29 Oct, two shooters backed by foreign handlers were arrested in Lucknow in connection with four Panjab murders, following a joint operation by Panjab Police’s anti-gangster task force and Uttar Pradesh Police. The arrested are identified as Bikramjit alias Vicky and Panjab Singh from Sur Singh and Sandhra villages in Tarn Taran district. Vicky was linked to the murder of Gopi Chohla in Taran Tarn on 1 Mar, while Panjab Singh was a key suspect in the triple murder of Dildeep Singh and two relatives in Ferozepur in Sept 2023. The Crime Branch of Mumbai Police initiated the extradition process to bring back Anmol Bishnoi, the younger brother of Lawrence Bishnoi, from the US. Anmol is wanted in connection with a firing incident outside actor Salman Khan’s residence in Bandra, Mumbai. At the same time, on 30 Oct, Royal Canadian Mounted Police in British Columbia announced that a Winnipeg man has been charged and another suspect is sought in connection with an attack on the Vancouver Island home of Panjabi singer AP Dhillon. Bishnoi had previously claimed responsibility for the attack.

According to data released by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute for 19-25 Oct, Madhya Pradesh has surpassed Panjab and Haryana in stubble burning incidents, recording 536 cases compared to Panjab’s 401 and Haryana’s 192. Over the last five years, Panjab has seen a significant reduction in stubble burning cases (SDW Vol 2, Issue 44, Story 6). However, on 23 Oct, the Supreme Court of India directed the union govt. to make an ‘appropriate decision’ on the Panjab govt.'s demand for approximately $144M to provide incentives to farmers to prevent stubble burning. The Center has since rejected the demand. Delhi’s AQI has worsened over the Diwali weekend, from 327 to 507 in just 12 hours. Meanwhile, farmers in Panjab face multiple challenges because with the new variety of rice PR-126, paddy yields have declined by 3 quintals per hectare. Data from the Punjab Agriculture Department indicates that yields fell from 67 to 64 quintals per hectare, costing farmers approximately $83 per hectare. The govt.’s paddy procurement under the Minimum Support Price scheme also dropped by 20%. Despite this, on 29 Oct, the union food ministry announced that the Center has procured 6.06M tonnes of paddy in Panjab out of 6.5M tonnes that arrived in mandis (grain markets) from 1 Oct to 28 Oct. An amount of $163M has been released directly to 351K farmers’ bank accounts as of 28 Oct. Rice millers are now urging the Center to review its policies and allow alternative uses for various grades of rice.

On 26 Oct, Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers (C&F) JP Nadda met Panjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann to discuss the availability of DAP (Di-ammonium Phosphate) fertilizer for Panjab’s wheat sowing season. CM Mann emphasized the state’s urgent need for DAP supplies until 15 Nov, noting that 70% of DAP is imported and shortages due to international issues have affected supply. He urged the union govt. to prioritize allotting DAP to Panjab over states that require it later. JP Nadda assured that C&F Dept. is taking all necessary steps to guarantee uninterrupted availability of DAP to Panjab’s farmers, emphasizing the union govt.’s commitment to supporting farmers nationwide. On 30 Oct, the Central govt. refuted recent media claims about a shortage of DAP in Panjab affecting the rabi (winter) crop prospects, according to a Press Information Bureau release. The govt. stated that it has ensured sufficient supplies of DAP and other essential fertilizers, including Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium (NPK) fertilizers. However, in reality, Panjab has received only 58% of its allocated DAP fertilizer. The state was allocated 468K MT of DAP against a requirement of 550K MT but has received only 276K MT so far. Farmers are anxious as they have only a two-week window to complete wheat sowing, which officially started around 25 Oct and needs to be completed by 15 Nov for optimal yield. Kisan Mazdoor Morcha’s Sarwan Singh Pandher blamed both the Center and Panjab govt. for the shortage, noting that farmers are already distressed due to the paddy crisis.

A recent study titled Demographic and Socio-Economic Analysis of International Migration from Rural Punjab revealed that unemployment is a major reason for rural Panjabis migrating abroad, with 79.95% citing it as the primary cause. Conducted in 98 villages by six researchers, the study found that 81.38% of migrations occurred between 2012 and 2021, with 98.53% migrating legally. Despite seeking better economic and social life, remittances sent back were low; only 63.52% of migrants sent money home, with 63.02% sending up to $6K per year, and only 14.68% sending $12K or more. The study highlights a ‘capital drain’ from India and Panjab, as migrants incur high expenditures but send back little. Meanwhile, US Assistant Secretary for Border and Immigration Policy Royce Murray announced that over 1,100 Indians who illegally entered the US have been repatriated in the past year, with the latest flight on 22 Oct bringing over 100 passengers to Panjab. Amid the ongoing diplomatic row between Canada and India, Sikhs residing in the US, UK, and Canada are increasingly fearful of surveillance and potential attacks by Indian state agents. At least two dozen Sikhs across the US, UK, and Canada have received a ‘threat to life warning notice’ by police about potential threats, although the sources remain undisclosed. Canadian journalist Ramanjit Singh and Kapurthala MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh emphasized that Non-Resident Indians bear the brunt of the situation, as strained ties impact not only family reunions but also $10B annual trade between the two countries.

On 25 Oct, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) dismantled Canada’s largest and most sophisticated drug ‘superlab’ in British Columbia, delivering a decisive blow to a major transnational organized crime group. Indian-origin businessman Gaganpreet Singh Randhawa was arrested during the raid in Falkland, British Columbia. The lab was equipped with advanced facilities to produce large quantities of illicit drugs, including fentanyl and methamphetamine, intended for both Canadian and international distribution. The fentanyl alone could have produced over 95M lethal doses, with an estimated value of $349M. Assistant Commissioner David Teboul described the seizure as ‘unprecedented’ in Canada. Randhawa is currently in custody and has been charged with numerous drug and firearms-related offenses. The RCMP considers this operation a historic milestone in its battle against organized drug syndicates. While this is being lauded as a massive blow to organized crime in Canada, the Surrey Union of Drug Users’ Research Committee and Police Oversight with Evidence and Research at the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users group repeatedly criticized media reporting on drug busts, urging journalists to avoid uncritical repetition of police narratives. They argue that focusing solely on police perspectives, especially during an ongoing public health emergency is dangerous and misguided. The group highlights that separating individuals from their known drug sources without providing support leads to increased street prices, rise in crime, and higher risks of overdose. Raids like these are also followed by gang wars – with a number of Panjabi’s being killed over the years, without any solution to address the root of the problem.

Despite the Panjab govt.’s efforts to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, citizens continue to bear a substantial portion of medical costs directly, indicating a heavy reliance on personal payments. Panjab has one of the country’s highest out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure rates, surpassing the national average by close to 50%. According to the Comprehensive Annual Modular Survey conducted between July 2022 and June 2023 by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, the average medical expenditure for hospitalized treatment over the last year was approximately $100 for rural and urban households. Per person expenditure on hospitalized treatment was higher in urban areas at ₹2,102 ($25) compared to ₹1,934 ($23) in rural areas. For non-hospitalised treatment over 30 days, the average expenditure per household was ₹1,177 ($14) in rural areas and ₹925 ($11) in urban areas, while per person expenses were around ₹264 ($3) in rural and urban areas. Professor Aswini Kumar Nanda from the Department of Economics at Central University, Jammu, attributed the high out-of-pocket expenditure to inadequate public health services, leading people to rely on private facilities despite higher costs. Since insurance coverage is often insufficient, especially for chronic diseases, financially vulnerable individuals may forgo essential treatment or resort to desperate financing options. Meanwhile, PM Narendra Modi launched the Ayushman Vaya Vandana card (Old Age Insurance Card) to provide health coverage for all citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income or economic status, providing an annual cover of $6K. It aims to enhance public healthcare for India’s aging population, projected to reach 319M over the age of 60 by 2050 (SDW Vol 2, Issue 42, Story 9).

On 1st Nov, the 40^th anniversary of the Sikh genocide, The Indian Express said that after more than 2,700 Sikhs were killed in India’s capital Delhi (official numbers, unofficial numbers are much higher) just 12 murder cases have ended in conviction. Senior advocate H S Phoolka said, ‘The number of commissions and committees set up to probe the murders… is more than the number of convictions.’ Parallelly, in Panjab, a senior journalist Surjit Singh Sokhi had prepared a report for the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) which was published in four parts under the same name - Sikhan Da Qataliam (The Sikh Massacre). The report documented the violence against Sikhs across India. After Sokhi’s demise in 1995, the SGPC compiled all parts and republished the book in 2020. The 463-page book records first-person accounts, statements, inquiry reports, news clippings, articles, editorials, statements, speeches, and so on, on the victims, the accused, the people who tried to stop attackers, and those who made efforts to seek justice for the victims. Sokhi also met representatives of People’s Union for Democratic Rights and People’s Union for Civil Liberties and recorded their understanding on how Sikhs were targeted and murdered. These two groups had published the original report Who Are the Guilty? and have now released a statement on the events saying the ‘fight for justice continues’. Listing exact numbers of victims, Sokhi details cow-belt states where Sikhs were killed and their businesses burnt. However, in non-INC ruled states in the south of India there were hardly any killings. That there is such documentation but it has no bearing on the country’s judicial process points at another chasm in Indian society.