Muslim advocates in Canada are voicing their anger and concern following the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, amidst allegations of potential Indian government involvement.
This incident has further strained relations between Ottawa and New Delhi, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government actively investigating credible claims of a connection between Indian government agents and Nijjar’s murder.
The killing of Nijjar, a prominent Sikh leader advocating for an independent Sikh state in India, occurred outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia back in June. It has prompted many Muslim activists in Canada to call for enhanced protections for minorities, as well as a firmer stance against India, which has faced accusations of discrimination against Muslims under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Stephen Brown, the head of the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) advocacy group, expressed his concern, stating, “It was widely known that there are agents of the Indian government that were operating in Canada and targeting members of the diaspora community.
But going to the point where somebody would be assassinated right outside of a place of worship in broad daylight, the purpose of doing that is to send a message.”
Brown emphasized the need for the Canadian government to take action to ensure the safety of its Muslim citizens, as their sense of security has been shaken by these events.
In response to Trudeau’s accusations, the Indian government has vehemently denied any involvement and labeled them as “absurd.” India has called on Canada to address what it sees as the activities of “terrorists,” referring to Sikh separatists it views as a security threat. This diplomatic dispute has led to the expulsion of diplomats from both countries and the suspension of visa services in Canada by New Delhi due to purported threats against its consular staff.
Nijjar had been accused by India of being “involved in terrorism,” a charge strongly rejected by his associates, who argue that such claims are part of a campaign aimed at vilifying Sikhs advocating for an independent state known as Khalistan in India’s northern Punjab region.
This separatist movement escalated into violence in the 1980s, notably after the raid on a Sikh temple by then-Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who was subsequently assassinated by Sikh bodyguards in 1984, sparking anti-Sikh riots and deadly attacks.
Responding to these developments, India’s foreign ministry stated that Canada’s “unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Brown emphasized that, regardless of India’s perspective on Nijjar or Sikh activism in Canada, the fact that the slain leader was never charged as a Canadian citizen is paramount. He stated, “Our government, our members of law enforcement, did not think that Mr. Nijjar was a terrorist, did not think that he was a threat to this country. And that’s the only thing that matters.”
He also highlighted the importance of freedom of expression, noting that it is at the core of the Canadian identity, irrespective of whether it is directed against foreign states or Canada’s own government.
Other Muslim community advocates echoed these sentiments, calling on Ottawa to reassess its ties to New Delhi and prioritize human rights in its foreign policy. They have long expressed concerns about the rise of Hindu nationalism in India under Prime Minister Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which they argue has resulted in discriminatory laws and increased violence against religious minorities.
Taha Ghayyur, executive director of Justice for All Canada, highlighted the fear within Muslim communities, stating, “Indian Muslims here in Canada, for instance, are very concerned about speaking out or saying even a word about what’s happening in India because they know there’s a very serious potential of reprisal against them or their family members back home in India.”
He emphasized that Sikhs and Muslims in Canada are united by their status as visible religious minorities and are now addressing both local and transnational hate affecting their communities.
While the Canadian government has not yet presented evidence to support its allegations against India, Trudeau has called on New Delhi to cooperate with the ongoing probe.
Shaheen Ashraf, a Muslim community advocate, expressed her confidence in the prime minister’s claims, stating, “There are certain rogue states that do these kinds of things, but I didn’t expect India to do it.”
Ashraf underscored that Canadians of all faiths and backgrounds generally get along well, despite the recent incidents of violence targeting religious minorities in the country.
Nonetheless, Muslim Canadians have faced deadly violence in recent years, including the 2017 mosque shooting in Quebec City by a far-right gunman and the intentional vehicular attack on a Muslim family in London, Ontario, in 2021. These incidents have further emphasized the importance of solidarity between different religious communities in Canada.
Abd Alfatah Twakkal, chair of the London Council of Imams, spoke about the lingering fear and insecurity within the local Muslim community, emphasizing that foreign government interference can exacerbate these feelings. He noted, “If you have foreign governments that are interfering and being able to do these types of things … it can lead to a sense of increased insecurity.”
