Sikh group applauds expulsion of Indian diplomats from Canada

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OTTAWA – Some stakeholders welcomed Canada's surprise announcement to expel top Indian diplomats for alleged links to the 2023 killing of a prominent Canadian Sikh leader.

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Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, an adviser to the American group Sikhs for Justice, said Toronto Sun was pleased with the move, adding that his group had provided the Prime Minister's Office with information confirming the role senior Indian diplomats allegedly played in enforcing foreign policy on Canadian soil.

“Canada's decision to expel demonstrated the Trudeau government's unwavering commitment to bringing to justice all those who participated in the murder of Canadian citizens on Canadian soil,” he said.

“The expulsion of Indian diplomats does not mean the end of the road to justice. Canada knows and we know that they were involved in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Sikhs for Justice is the organization responsible for global non-binding referenda on the creation of Khalistan – and an independent Sikh homeland in India.

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On Monday, Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly said the RCMP, after “great consideration,” had gathered “abundant, clear and specific” evidence of the involvement of six Indian diplomats operating in Canada and ordered their expulsion.

In retaliation, India declared six Canadian diplomats persona non grata.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh called the allegations “deeply disturbing.”

“The RCMP has essentially painted a picture of a foreign government engaging criminal elements in Canada to commit violence against Canadians, including shooting into Canadians' homes, killing Canadians, shooting at Canadian businesses and shooting at Canadian communities,” he said.

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“It's a threat to everyone who lives in these communities, everyone who has family in these communities, children playing in parks where these homes and businesses were shot at – this is a serious matter.”

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Singh also addressed Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre's failure to receive security clearance to view classified intelligence on foreign interference, suggesting that Poilievre would be a chop for the Narendra Modi administration if elected prime minister.

“I don't want the Indian government, which has been embroiled in this case with the RCMP – and especially the Modi government – to think that they have someone in Canada who is willing to look the other way and ignore what's going on,” he added. Singh said.

“We have to take an approach where we are all on the same page.”

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This was confirmed by a senior Conservative Party source Toronto Sun that on Monday Poilievre was fully briefed on the situation by the national security and intelligence adviser.

In response, Conservative spokesman Sebastian Skamski accused Singh of trying to “distract” and “misinform” Canadians.

““Unlike others who are willing to limit their ability to hold the government accountable on important national security issues, Mr. Poilievre will not be gagged or prevented from speaking or acting on information he may receive,” he said.

“If the government believes that there is further information that Mr. Poilievre should know, it may, through CSIS, apply 'mitigation measures' under Section 12.1 of the CSIS Act to make further information available in a manner that would not impair Mr. Poilievre's ability.” and talking to Canadians.

bpassifiume@postmedia.com
X: @bryanpassifiume

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