Canadian intelligence suggests India involved in killing of Surrey Sikh leader: PM

FILE — Hardeep Singh Nijjar (OMNI / CityNews Image)

Posted September 18, 2023 2:37 pm.

Last Updated September 18, 2023 5:56 pm.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canadian authorities have credible intelligence that India was behind the fatal shooting of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, B.C.

Trudeau says over the past weeks, agencies have been “actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the government of India and the killing of” Nijjar.

The 45-year-old was shot outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey on June 18. He died at the scene.

Nijjar, who was the temple’s president, was a vocal advocate for an independent Sikh state of Khalistan in India, where he was accused of terrorism and conspiring to murder a Hindu priest.

The Surrey killing prompted protests outside Indian consulates and accusations of foreign involvement in the murder.

“Canada is a rule of law country. The protection of our citizens and defence of our sovereignty are fundamental,” Trudeau said.

“Our top priorities have therefore been, one, that our law enforcement and security agencies ensure the continued safety of all Canadians, and two, that all steps be taken to hold perpetrators of this murder to account.”

Shortly after Trudeau’s remarks, it was announced Monday that a top Indian diplomat had been expelled from Canada.

Federal Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc says the government was made aware of the allegations of credible intelligence “for a number of weeks.” In that time, he notes this information “has been in the hands of the Canadian security services.”

“I think it’s also important to note that the national security and intelligence advisor to the prime minister, the director of (the Canadian Security Intelligence Service) CSIS, have travelled on a number of occasions in recent weeks, also to India, to meet their counterparts in India, to confront the Indian intelligence agencies with these allegations,” he said.

Government officials were careful not to unveil too much information Monday, noting a homicide investigation into Nijjar’s death is ongoing.

“As Melanie said, this is also an active homicide investigation led by the RCMP in British Columbia, so one needs to be very careful to not prejudice the ability of law enforcement and, we hope, ultimately, prosecutors, to hold the perpetrators to account for this murder of a Canadian citizen,” said LeBlanc.

Trudeau says he’s informed opposition leaders about the intelligence.

He adds “Canada has declared its deep concerns” to officials in India, noting he brought them to Prime Minister Narendra Modi “personally and directly … in no uncertain terms” at the G20 Summit last week.

“Any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty. It is contrary to the fundamental rules by which free, open, and democratic societies, conduct themselves,” the prime minister continued.

Trudeau says Canada is working and coordinating with its allies on this matter.

He is pressing the Indian government to “cooperate with Canada to get to the bottom of this matter.”

“I also expect it to reiterate that its position on extrajudicial operations in another country is clearly and unequivocally in line with international law,” Trudeau said.

“I know many Canadians, particularly members of the Indo-Canadian community are feeling angry or perhaps frightened right now. Let us not allow this to change us. Let us remain calm and steadfast in our commitment to our democratic principles and our adherence to the rule of law.

In a statement, B.C. Premier David Eby confirmed Monday he was made aware of the situation, adding says he’s received a “further briefing” from CSIS.

“I am deeply disturbed and angered by this information. Canadians across the country must be safe from the interference of foreign governments, including being targeted for threats or physical harm, including murder. Our democracy depends on it,” Eby said.

“In light of these revelations, we will do all we can to enhance protection for the people of British Columbia against the violence or threats of state actors. I call, yet again, on the federal government to share all relevant information related to any known ongoing foreign interference and transnational organized crime threats with our provincial authorities and our government, so we may act in co-ordination and protect those at risk.”

Eby goes on to say he joins calls “demanding justice and answers,” adding the provincial government “will fully and enthusiastically support any federal efforts to ensure those responsible are held personally accountable.”

Related video: Hundreds rally at Vancouver’s Indian consulate for late Hardeep Singh Nijjar

“As investigations progress, I ask for those who are rightly angry to support justice and accountability through our formal legal systems. It is what makes us strong and is what distinguishes us from those who would act illegally to advance their own ends through threats, assassinations and attacks,” his statement continued.

“We will win and there will be justice, because it must be so to protect what is best about the province we love.”

Homicide investigators previously said Nijjar’s death appeared to be targeted, though a motive was not identified.

WSO: Intelligence confirms ‘what Canadian Sikhs have known for months’

In a statement Monday, the World Sikh Organization condemned the potential actions of the Indian government, saying the announcement from the prime minister “confirmed what Canadian Sikhs have known for months.”

Prem Singh Vinning, a past president and current member of the WSO, tells CityNews the organization he is “shocked” by the news.

“It is shocking and should be unacceptable to any Canadian in this country,” he said.

Vinning says many within the Sikh community were convince that India had a hand in Nijjar’s death.

“Mr. Nijjar and many other Sikhs have voiced their concerns about India’s treatment of Sikhs and the minorities — not only Sikhs, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and many others. And under the Modi government, they feel that those rights and mistreatments have accelerated in a big way in this whole movement of Hindu-India only,” he explained.

“We’ve advocated for human rights since 1984 and Sikh issues and Sikh rights, and all human rights in general … There were concerns raised and people did raise them, but you want law enforcement agencies to do their work and they’ve done their work now.”

‘The truth cannot be silenced’

Leaders of the opposition joined officials Monday in sharing their condemnation.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who is Sikh, sent a message to Sikhs and those of India descent who’ve come to Canada and “spoke justice and spoke truth to power, who challenged the oppressive practices of India,” saying, “Justice cannot and will not be silenced.”

“I want to speak directly to those activists: Governments around the world are trying to silence you. The Indian government and the Modi government, specifically, is attempting to silence you. But the truth cannot be silenced,” Singh said.

“We know that the practice of the Indian government has been one of division, of violence, persecution, attacking those that are critical of the government. It is now an important time to send a clear message as a democratic country, as a country that respects the rule of law. What will be our response? I want people to know that, as leader of the New Democratic Party, I will use every tool at my disposal to ensure that Canada uses every tool, every tool and every power of a democratic nation to bring those responsible to justice.”

Singh is vowing to ensure that “no rock is (left) unturned,” and is calling for a public inquiry.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre adds it’s critical Canadians “lock arms and join hands in condemning this murder, standing with the family and friends of its victim.”

“If these allegations are true, they represent an outrageous affront to Canada’s sovereignty. Our citizens must be safe from extra judicial killings of all kinds, most of all from foreign governments,” he said.

Nijjar’s death sent shockwaves through the Sikh community in B.C. Many gathered in the wake of his killing to pay their respects.

His killing has prompted a widespread and divisive response, including an emotional one from police and B.C.’s premier.

Mourners carry the casket of Sikh community leader and temple president Hardeep Singh Nijjar during Antim Darshan, the first part of a day-long funeral service for him, in Surrey, B.C., on Sunday, June 25, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Following the fatal shooting, a petition began circulating to urge the Canadian government to respond to allegations of foreign interference.

“Nijjar was an upright, god fearing, law abiding and peaceful member of the Canadian Sikh community with no involvement in any criminal activity, he served his community with dedication and tirelessly as President of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara and Chief Coordinator of Canadian Chapter of Global Khalistan Referendum,” the petition reads, in part.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar Surrey stands outside for an interview

FILE — Hardeep Singh Nijjar on July 15th, 2022 (OMNI / CityNews Image)

“Nijjar’s assassination has not only caused irreparable loss to the Sikh community but it has also raised serious concerns which warrant immediate and utmost attention of the Canadian Government at the highest level,” it continues, adding, “This matter needs to be investigated thoroughly in order to ensure the safety of all Canadians.”

With files from Sonia Aslam and Michael Williams

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