South Asia

Tensions between India and Canada reverberate among Punjab's Sikhs

Published: 12:58, 25 September 2023

A growing dispute between India and Canada regarding the murder of a Sikh separatist has sent ripples through the Sikh community in Punjab. Sikhs in the region are grappling with concerns of potential repercussions from India's Hindu-nationalist government and the impact on their aspirations for a better life in North America.

The individual at the center of this controversy is Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a plumber who left his native state in northern India over twenty-five years ago to become a Canadian citizen.
Tragically, Nijjar was fatally shot in June outside a temple located in a Vancouver suburb, where he held a prominent role as a separatist leader among the Sikh community.
Canadian Premier Justin Trudeau recently made a significant statement, asserting that Ottawa possesses 'credible allegations' connecting the murder to Indian government agents. This statement has further exacerbated tensions between the two nations.
It's worth noting that in 2020, India had labeled Nijjar as a 'terrorist,' a designation that has since played a pivotal role in this ongoing controversy. India vehemently refuted the allegations made by Canada, dismissing them as 'absurd.' As a consequence, India has taken several retaliatory measures, including the expulsion of the chief of Canadian intelligence stationed in India, issuing travel advisories for its citizens, suspending visa issuance to Canadians, and scaling down Canada's diplomatic presence in India.
In the grand mosaic of India's 1.4 billion people, Sikhs constitute a mere 2% of the population. However, they form a majority in Punjab, the very state where Sikhism originated five centuries ago. Outside of India, the largest Sikh diaspora resides in Canada, a fact that has led to numerous protests that have irked the Indian government.
The tension surrounding this incident is not limited to international diplomacy; it has a profound impact on the Sikh community both in Punjab and across the globe. Sikhs are now faced with the challenge of navigating this sensitive situation, as they seek to protect their interests in their homeland and abroad while remaining hopeful for a peaceful resolution to the escalating discord between India and Canada.