Prime Minister Justin Trudeau denounces the Indian government’s possible role in the murder of a Sikh Canadian in the country last June; New Delhi strongly rejected the allegations.
Trudeau said in recent weeks Canadian security agencies have been investigating credible allegations of a possible link between Indian government agents and the murder of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
The prime minister made the statement during question period in Ottawa on Monday.
Canada is a constitutional state. Protecting our citizens and defending our sovereignty are essential.
“Our priorities have therefore been, first, to ensure that our security and law enforcement agencies continually ensure the safety of all Canadians, and second, that all necessary measures are taken to hold the perpetrators of this murder accountable for their actions,” Mr. Trudeau continued .
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Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2019
Photo: (Ben Nelms/CBC)
India rejects the allegations
The Indian Foreign Ministry responded on Monday evening by calling Ottawa’s allegations absurd.
“We are a democratic country firmly committed to the rule of law,” New Delhi said in a statement.
These baseless allegations are intended to divert attention from Khalistani terrorists and extremists who have taken refuge in Canada and continue to threaten India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Canadian government’s inaction in this area has long been a concern.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar was the president of a large Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia, the Guru Nanak Gurdwara. He was known for his commitment to the creation of a state, Khalistan, which would also include Punjab, a region of India with a Sikh majority.
India considered Hardeep Singh Nijjar as a terrorist. In 2016, Mr. Singh Nijjar sent a letter to Justin Trudeau saying he had been unfairly targeted by New Delhi because of his peaceful activities.
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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G20 summit. (archive photo)
Photo: The Canadian Press / Sean Kilpatrick
Earlier in the day, the Canadian prime minister said he had personally discussed the issue with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi during their meeting last week at the G20 summit. Canada has also raised its concerns with senior intelligence and security officials in the Indian government, he added.
The involvement of a foreign government in the murder of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty. Such an act violates the fundamental rules governing free, open and democratic societies.
“I continue to urge the Indian government to work with Canada to resolve this matter,” the Canadian prime minister said. He also said he expects the Indian government to reiterate that its position on extrajudicial operations in another country is clear and unambiguously consistent with international law.
Interview with the Federal Minister for Public Safety, Dominic LeBlanc
Expulsion of an Indian diplomat
Canada responded by expelling a top Indian diplomat, Pavan Kumar Rai, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly announced.
This diplomat is the head of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), India’s foreign intelligence agency, in Canada.
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said the RCMP is leading the murder investigation. “We will hold the perpetrators accountable and bring them to justice,” he said.
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Hardeep Singh Nijjar was president of the Guru Nanak Gurdwara and was heavily involved in his community. (archive photo)
Photo: Radio-Canada / Ben Nelms
A scandalous affront to Canadian sovereignty, says Poilievre
For the leader of the official opposition, Pierre Poilievre, if these claims are substantiated, this is a scandalous affront to Canadian sovereignty.
He expressed his condolences to the family members of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Canadians deserve to be protected on Canadian soil.
He calls on the Indian authorities to be transparent because the truth about the perpetrators and sponsors of this crime must urgently come to light.
The Conservatives would continue to work to get these answers, he said in English.
Mr. Poilievre urged Canadians to remain calm and support the Indian diaspora in Canada. We are all Canadians. This is our country. “We must be united for our country and for each other,” the Conservative leader said.
Let us put aside our differences and come together to defend the rule of law.
Bloc Québécois parliamentary leader Alain Therrien said members of his political party were in shock.
Foreign countries must respect our borders. It is up to our law enforcement agencies to intervene in our territory while respecting our laws. We are a constitutional state and everyone must respect this at all times and without exception.
The White House also responded to the allegations and said it was deeply concerned.
We remain in regular contact with our Canadian partners. It is important that the Canadian-led investigation continues and the perpetrators are brought to justice, White House spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said in a statement.
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Thousands of people attended the funeral of Hardeep Singh Nijjar at the Guru Nanak Temple in Surrey. He died June 18 after being shot in his parked vehicle. (archive photo)
Photo: Radio-Canada / Ben Nelms
Personal testimony of Jagmeet Singh
It’s scandalous. It is shocking. And this will have a profound and devastating impact on Canadians, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh said immediately.
Personally, I would like to share with you what this means for the Sikh community, he continued. I grew up with lots of stories [selon lesquelles] If you raise concerns about human rights violations in India, you may be denied a visa. That if we returned to India we could face torture, violence and even death.
But to hear the Prime Minister of Canada confirm a possible connection between the murder of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil by a foreign government is something I could never have imagined.
Canadians’ sense of security has been shaken, said Mr. Singh, who recalled that Canada is a welcoming country for many refugees who have fled violence and persecution in search of freedom and security.
He offered them his support and promised to use all resources at the Canadian government’s disposal to bring the culprits to justice.
He said the public inquiry into foreign interference sparked by allegations of Chinese interference should also focus on India and its actions in Canada.
Interview with Thomas Juneau, Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa
Sikh organizations are calling for increased protection
Several organizations and members of the Sikh community are not surprised by Justin Trudeau’s statement. The World Sikh Organization is calling on Canada to prosecute those involved in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18.
The organization is calling for a thorough vetting of Indian diplomats and consular officials, as well as the expulsion of those who have carried out espionage or surveillance activities on India’s behalf. She also wants the public inquiry into foreign interference to examine New Delhi’s role.
The Sikhs for Justice group, for its part, is calling for the expulsion of the Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma.