OTTAWA: The Canadian government has raised serious accusations against India’s Home Minister, Amit Shah, alleging his involvement in a campaign targeting Sikh separatists residing in Canada. The disclosure was made by Canadian Deputy Foreign Minister David Morrison during a parliamentary session, referencing a recent report from The Washington Post.
According to the report, Canadian authorities suspect Shah’s role in orchestrating intimidation and violence against Sikh separatists, escalating tensions between Canada and India. These separatists, advocating for an independent Sikh state called Khalistan in India’s Punjab region, have become a target as Indian authorities perceive this movement as a security threat.
This tension has notably affected Canada’s large Sikh community, many of whom support the Khalistan cause. Many Sikhs relocated to Canada following 1984’s Operation Blue Star, a controversial military action against the Golden Temple, Sikhism’s holiest site. The Canadian government, which previously condemned the assassination of a pro-Khalistan leader on its own soil, remains vocal about concerns of foreign interference and threats to the safety of its citizens.
Canadian officials have expressed increasing apprehension about potential foreign threats and extrajudicial actions, underscoring the importance of safeguarding those advocating for Sikh rights and autonomy.
