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India Rejects Canadian Allegations in Killing of Sikh Leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar

India has rejected allegations made by the Canadian government linking it to the assassination of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) termed the allegations ‘absurd’ and ‘motivated’. The government said that the allegations were aimed at diverting attention from Khalistani terrorists and extremists who are given shelter in Canada.

Nijjar, a strong supporter of an independent Sikh homeland known as Khalistan, was gunned down on June 18 outside a Sikh cultural centre in Surrey, British Columbia. In an official statement, the government said that these allegations were driven by ulterior motives, emphasizing that they had also been rebuffed when raised by the Canadian Prime Minister during discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the recent G20 summit.

In response, Canada expelled a top Indian diplomat as it investigated what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called credible allegations that India’s government may have had links to the assassination in Canada of a Sikh activist. Trudeau said in an emergency statement to the House of Commons that any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen was ‘an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty’.

The reaction comes a day after Canada said that it was ‘actively pursuing credible allegations’ linking Indian government agents to the murder of a Sikh separatist leader, dealing a further blow to diplomatic ties between the countries. India, as a democratic nation committed to the rule of law, expressed deep concern about the Canadian government’s lack of action in addressing this issue, particularly regarding the shelter provided to these individuals.

The government urged the Canadian government to take prompt and effective legal action against all anti-India elements operating from their soil. The space given in Canada to a range of illegal activities, including murders, human trafficking, and organized crime, is not new. India rejects any attempts to connect the government of India to such developments,” the statement added.

The World Sikh Organization of Canada called Nijjar an outspoken supporter of Khalistan who ‘often led peaceful protests against the violation of human rights actively taking place in India and in support of Khalistan.’ Sources: IndiaTimes, Mint