In the ongoing diplomatic standoff between India and Canada, Jagmeet Singh, leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP), has sparked fresh controversy by calling for a ban on a Hindu organisation, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), that has no known links to extremist activities in Canada.
Next year, the RSS will celebrate its 100 years of working continuously to build a strong society.
“Due to the RSS’s contributions in times of national security, unity-integrity, and natural disasters, the various types of leadership in the country have, from time to time, praised the role of the RSS,” posted Sunil Ambekar, Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh of RSS.
Jagmeet Singh’s demand to ban RSS, without providing any proof, comes amid heightened tensions between the two countries following ‘credible’ allegations, so far without any proof, by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, linking ‘Indian agents’ to the 2023 murder of Khalistani Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
On October 14, 2024, India escalated the diplomatic dispute by expelling six Canadian diplomats, including Acting High Commissioner Stewart Ross Wheeler, and announcing the withdrawal of its High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma from Canada. This followed Canada’s identification of these diplomats as “persons of interest” in its investigation into Nijjar’s killing.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs dismissed the allegations as “preposterous,” claiming that Canada’s accusations were tied to its domestic political challenges.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau denounced India’s actions, accusing the Modi government of supporting criminal activities against Canadians.
“The government of India made a fundamental error in thinking that they could engage in supporting criminal activity against Canadians here on Canadian soil, whether it be murders or extortion or other violent acts,” Trudeau said during a press conference.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) also claimed they had evidence linking Indian agents to several violent acts in Canada, including Nijjar’s murder.
“It (India) is targeting South Asian community but they are specifically targeting pro-Khalistani elements in Canada.”
Earlier in his parliamentary statement, MP Chandra Arya expressed deep concern over the increasing attacks on Hindu temples and Canadian journalists reporting on Khalistani extremism in Canada.
Arya highlighted several incidents: the recent assault on Rishi Nagar of Red FM Calgary, the March 2023 attack on Sameer Kaushal of Radio AM600 in British Columbia, and the February 2022 assault on Brampton radio host Deepak Punj. He also mentioned death threats received by anti-terrorism journalist Mocha Bezirgan.
Arya urged the Trudeau government and law enforcement to take Khalistani extremism in Canada seriously and deal with it firmly before it escalates further.
The escalated diplomatic row has seen both countries expelling diplomats. Canada has earlier withdrawn 41 of its envoys from India and now India has expelled the following six Canadian diplomats:
- Stewart Ross Wheeler, Acting High Commissioner
- Patrick Hebert, Deputy High Commissioner
- Marie Catherine Joly, First Secretary
- lan Ross David Trites, First Secretary
- Adam James Chuipka, First Secretary
- Paula Orjuela, First Secretary
These diplomats have been asked to leave India by or before 11.59 p.m. on October 19, 2024.
India has consistently denied Canada’s accusations, branding them as part of the Trudeau regime’s political agenda to amplify his vote bank.
Senior Correspondent Daniel Bordman stated that the Trudeau government faces “major credibility problems on all fronts” domestically.
“But the vast majority of Canadians are incredibly fed up with this government. Don’t believe the institutions. Don’t see the media as credible. Doesn’t see Justin Trudeau as credible. So many Canadians will just look at this, shrug their shoulders and probably even side with India…”
In 2013, Jagmeet Singh was denied a visa to India by then Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) due to his perceived support for Khalistan and later his Twitter (now X) account was withheld. Following the 2021 election, Singh and Trudeau shifted from rivals to partners when Trudeau’s Liberal Party formed a government with NDP support.
Currently, Trudeau’s government relies entirely on Jagmeet Singh’s backing for its survival.
Brief Timeline of Canada-India Claims:
- Sept. 1, 2023: Canada halts trade treaty talks with India.
- Sept. 10, 2023: Modi raises concerns about Khalistan in Canada to Trudeau at the G20 summit.
- Sept. 18, 2023: Trudeau claims Canada is investigating Indian government involvement in Nijjar’s murder.
- Sept. 19, 2023: India rejects Trudeau’s allegations; both countries expel diplomats.
- Sept. 22, 2023: India suspends Canadian visas and asks for a reduction of Canadian diplomats.
- Oct. 19, 2023: Canada withdraws 41 diplomats from India.
- Nov. 21, 2023: India’s anti-terror agency files a case against Khalistani Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
- Nov. 22, 2023: U.S. warns India over a plot to kill Pannun.
- Feb. 5, 2024: India refuses to cooperate in the Nijjar murder investigation without concrete evidence from Canada.
- April 30, 2024: Reports surface of Indian involvement in Nijjar’s murder and the foiled Pannun plot.
- May 3, 2024: Canadian police charge three gangsters connected to Nijjar’s killing.
- Aug. 27, 2024: Canadian police warn Pannun of increased threats to his life.
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