Introduction:
The Khalistan movement has recently made news once more, this time as a result of the unfortunate death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia, Canada. Nijjar was shot dead in a stunning occurrence that sparked questions and accusations. Nijjar was a man connected to the Khalistan cause and wanted by Indian police. The history of the Khalistan movement, recent developments surrounding the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and rising diplomatic tensions between Canada and India are all covered in this blog post.
Here, we will discuss about India Canada issue related to the death of Nijjar which has made the India Canada relation record low.
Summary of the Khalistan Movement
The Khalistan movement is a separatist movement that supports the creation of Khalistan, an independent Sikh state. Its origins can be traced back to a convoluted network of historical, political, and cultural elements. Here are some crucial details:
1. Historical context
The partition of India in 1947, which separated Punjab, a province with a sizable Sikh population, between India and Pakistan, is where the Khalistan movement first gained traction.
Some Sikhs have experienced marginalization or discrimination within the Indian state because of their unique religious and cultural identities.
The formalization of Sikh political aspirations for increased autonomy and protection of Sikh rights within India occurred in 1973 with the Anandpur Sahib Resolution.
2. The increase in the 1980s:
Armed Sikh militant groups that advocated for Khalistan and carried out violent acts became more prevalent in the 1980s.
Operation Blue Star, which took place in June 1984 and was intended to drive Sikh militants out of Amritsar's Golden Temple, exacerbated Sikh discontent.
In 1982, Indian Government requested Canada to handover Babbar Khalsa terrorist Palwinder Singh to India. But then PM Pierre Trudeau (Justin Trudeau’s father) refused to do so and in 1985, Babbar Khalsa has bombed Air India flight Kanishka which had killed 329 people.
3. The 1984 assassination of Indira Gandhi
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's assassination by her Sikh bodyguards in October 1984 sparked anti-Sikh riots in India and resulted in a substantial number of fatalities.
4. International Implications:
The Khalistan movement has also found support and activity among Sikh diaspora communities in countries like Canada, the UK, and the US.
Recent Developments and Accusations
1. Hardeep Singh Nijjar's Killing:
On June 18, 2023, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a figure associated with the Khalistan movement, was killed outside a Gurudwara in British Columbia, Canada. He was shot 34 times by masked gunmen.
Nijjar was wanted by Indian authorities, and his murder raised questions about the motives and culprits behind the attack.
2. Accusations by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau:
On September 18, 2023, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of involvement in Nijjar's murder, alleging without providing evidence.
This accusation strained India Canada diplomatic relations, leading to the suspension of some Indian diplomats by Canada. India Canada relation was quite good in recent past but this allegation and some actions by Canada has broken the India Canada relation highly.
3. Diplomatic Tensions:
In response to Trudeau's allegations, India stopped issuing visas to Canadians.
Recent reports suggest that India has asked Canada to maintain diplomat parity, potentially leading to the recall of 41 out of 62 Canadian diplomats in India.
It is worth noting that both Canada and India has declared travel relation cautions to their citizens. Canada India travel ban is not like one country has told their citizen not to go to other country; it is sort of precaution.
Unpacking the Accusations
1. Trudeau's Allegations:
Trudeau's accusations were made in a public parliamentary statement, stirring controversy.
Some observers speculate that Trudeau's remarks might be influenced by domestic political considerations, including the need to secure support from Canada's Sikh community.
2. Historical Context:
It's worth noting past incidents, such as Canada's refusal in the 1980s to extradite Babbar Khalsa terrorist Talwinder Parmar to India.
The 1985 Air India bombing, perpetrated by Babbar Khalsa terrorists, killed 329 people, including many Canadian-Indians.
3. Diplomatic Fallout:
India's response, including the potential recall of diplomats, underscores the gravity of Trudeau's allegations and their impact on bilateral relations.
In Conclusion:
The Khalistan movement is a multifaceted issue deeply rooted in historical, political, and cultural factors. Recent events, including the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Justin Trudeau's allegations, have injected fresh complexities into an already contentious matter. The diplomatic tensions between Canada and India underscore the need for careful consideration and dialogue to address the concerns of all stakeholders involved. This India Canada issue will hamper the relation highly; so necessary actions should be taken to control this.