Born in the district of Jalandhar in the North Indian state of Punjab, Hardeep Singh Nijjar embarked on a transformative journey when he migrated to Canada in 1997. Settling in the province of British Columbia, he built a life for himself, marrying, having two sons, and working as a plumber.
Nijjar was not just an ordinary immigrant; he became a prominent advocate for Khalistan, a proposed separate homeland for Sikhs, who make up a religious minority comprising 2% of India’s population.
Accusations of Terrorism and the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF)
India had labeled Nijjar a terrorist, accusing him of orchestrating various activities, including being the alleged “mastermind” behind the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), a banned militant group within India. Despite these allegations, Nijjar continued to advocate for Sikh independence in British Columbia, where he had become a Canadian citizen in 2007.
The Murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Tragedy struck on a June summer evening when Nijjar, aged 45, was gunned down by two masked assailants outside a Sikh temple in a Vancouver suburb. Reports suggest that Canadian intelligence services had previously warned him about threats to his safety.
India vehemently denied any involvement in Nijjar’s killing and dismissed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations as “absurd.”
Differing Perspectives on Hardeep Singh Nijjar
To Nijjar’s supporters, he was a peaceful advocate for Sikh independence and a devoted community leader. A memorial outside the Surrey Gurdwara, where he served as president, stands as a testament to his impact. At his funeral, hundreds gathered to pay their respects.
While some saw Nijjar as a passionate advocate for a cause close to his heart, India portrayed him as a wanted man under its Terrorist Act, accused of involvement in several cases, including a cinema bombing in Punjab in 2007 and the assassination of Sikh Indian politician Rulda Singh in 2009.
The Khalistan Movement’s Impact on Canada-India Relations
The Sikh separatist movement has long strained the relationship between Canada and India. India strongly opposes Khalistan, with mainstream political parties in Punjab denouncing violence and separatism. The movement’s roots in Canada and Britain date back to the 1980s, as diaspora groups reacted to events in India.
The Golden Temple Operation and Assassination of Indira Gandhi
The Khalistan movement led to two of the most contentious moments in Indian history. In 1984, Indian troops stormed the Golden Temple, the holiest site for Sikhs, to root out armed separatists, resulting in casualties and damage to the temple. A few months later, then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards, triggering riots in Delhi that claimed the lives of thousands of Sikhs.
Canada‘s Role and Accusations from India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly criticized Canada for not doing enough to suppress Sikh protests and “anti-India” activities. Some supporters of Khalistan in Canada argue that the movement is peaceful, accusing India of disinformation campaigns and harassment.
Differing Opinions on Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s Role
Opinions on Nijjar vary widely. While some consider him a significant figure in the Khalistan movement, others, like former Premier of British Columbia Ujjal Dosanjh, describe him as a “small fry.” British Columbia-based journalist Gurpreet Singh remains skeptical of India’s claims, remembering Nijjar as a “soft-spoken” community-oriented individual.
As the accusations and counterarguments surrounding the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar continue to escalate, the Canada-India relationship finds itself at an unprecedented low point.
-BBC-
