The recent video footage of a khalistani individual labeling white peoples in Canada as “invaders” and asking them to leave Canada and return to white nations as England or to somewhere in Europe, while claiming Canada to be their territory and forcing their ownership on it, has raised concerns, especially for India, with active khalistani propaganda ongoing in India for year now.The Indian intelligence sources have raised their concern, however they have labeled it as a part of “new normal” in Canada. The recent demands by Khalistanis urging the whites to leave Canada and go to Europe has sparked controversy and questions the internal safety issues of the country.
The video emerged as a response to the ongoing active tension in Canada, owing to the recent pro Khalistani mob attack on Hindus asking them to go back to India. These ongoing communal developments highlight the growing tensions between Khalistani groups and other communities in Canada.
The video is being widely shared online. It shows a public rally with individuals holding Khalistani flags. One person, presumably the videographer, can be heard shouting remarks such as “We are the owners of Canada”. Reports suggest that it was from a ‘Nagar Kirtan’, in connection with the Gurunanak Jayanti.
India and Canada have maintained a bilateral relationship for long, however the ongoing Khalistani issue has always been the pain point for both nations.The Khalistani movement which was at its peak in 1970s -1980s demands for a creation of separate Sikh majority state within India. However the government has time and again curbed the movement successfully but it has gained momentum in recent times, particularly among a diaspora of Indian community in Canada.
In June 2023, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader, was fatally shot in British Columbia, Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau subsequently accused India of involvement in Nijjar’s murder. The claim was denied by India dismissing it as “absurd”. These allegations have significantly strained relations between the two countries, resulting in the expulsion of diplomats from both sides and the suspension of free trade agreement negotiations. The deadly mix of domestic issues with foreign policy on forefront for both countries and the mishandling of these issues have fatally attacked the India and Canada relations and it has hit rock bottom with meager chances of revival.
Canada has been one of the top destinations for Indian students to study abroad. However the recent developments have put the students who have spent lakhs to study in Canada, in a difficult spot as they struggle to find decent jobs. The recent death of a 19 year old student at a Walmart store has further raised concerns about the safety and security issues and have made Indians rethink about their decision to choose Canada for further studies. Indian students have now been considering other options such as Germany, Poland, France etc which offer quality education at reputed Universities with affordable tuition fees and better job prospects along with safer living conditions.
True to life News talked to Anamika Bhattacharjee, a student of International relations at JNU. She thinks that the revival of India and Canada bilateral relationship between the ongoing tensions looks impossible and only a miracle could reverse it. The growing influence of Khalistani groups in Canada has a significant impact on the country’s social fabric and diplomatic relations. As per 2021 reports, 2.1% of Sikhs live in Ontario in Canada with British Columbia being the second most populated by Indian Sikhs. The population has increased significantly when compared to 2011. Living in a foreign country that shares bitter relations with the homeland is a difficult situation for Indians in Canada as they often face discrimination and exploitation. The Khalistani issue is a deep rooted problem for both Canada and India and only a mutual plan of action can help win the situation and help save both the nations from separatist and Khalistani forces and restore peace at large.
True To Life Correspondent
Adya