Certain members of British Columbia’s Sikh community are urging a federal investigation into the murder of a prominent temple leader. Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the President of Surrey’s Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, was shot and killed in the temple’s parking lot on June 18. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team is currently leading the investigation into what they describe as a “targeted” killing, but no information regarding a possible motive has been released thus far.
Following the incident, members of the Sikh community have launched an E-Petition calling on the federal government to launch an investigation into Nijjar’s murder. Allegations suggesting that the killing may be connected to foreign interference are included in the petition. The petition emphasizes that Nijjar was a law-abiding and dedicated member of the Canadian Sikh community, serving as the President of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara and Chief Coordinator of the Canadian Chapter of Global Khalistan Referendum. The petition goes on to state that Nijjar’s assassination has caused irreparable loss to the Sikh community and that it raises serious concerns that require immediate attention from the Canadian government.
Manpreet Singh, a supporter of the petition, expressed the community’s fear and desire to know the truth about who was behind the killing. He described Nijjar as a significant figure for the Sikh community and questioned if anyone is truly safe if he was not. Gurmeet Singh Toor, the Gurdwara secretary, also stressed the importance of conducting an investigation to provide answers for the community. Toor believes that Nijjar was targeted by Indian authorities through character assassination and false information. He mentioned that Nijjar was a vocal advocate for the independent Sikh state of Khalistan, which led to allegations of terrorism against him from the Indian government.
The Indian government issued an arrest warrant through Interpol’s National Central Bureau in New Delhi for Nijjar in relation to a 2007 bombing. They described him as a “mastermind/active member” of the Khalistan Tiger Force militant group at the time. Another Interpol notice in 2016 accused Nijjar of being the “mastermind and key conspirator of many terrorist acts in India.” The Indian government has also claimed that he was involved in a conspiracy to murder a Hindu priest and offered a reward for his arrest. Nijjar consistently professed his innocence and denied involvement in any violent acts while admitting to supporting Sikh separatism.
Prior to his death, Nijjar expressed concerns about the threats he was receiving due to his political activism, which involved criticizing the government of India and supporting Sikh separatism. The World Sikh Organization of Canada has also called for an investigation to determine if India played a role in Nijjar’s murder. Surrey-Newton Liberal MP Sukh Dhaliwal sponsored the E-Petition, stating his willingness to support his constituents on various issues, except those targeting the LGBTQ2 community or a woman’s right to an abortion.
The homicide investigators have confirmed that Nijjar died from multiple gunshot wounds while he was inside a vehicle in the temple’s parking lot. They believe that he was attacked by two masked men who quickly fled the scene after the shooting. The investigation team has not confirmed or denied any threats made against Nijjar prior to his death and has promised to look into these reports while collaborating with other law enforcement agencies as necessary.
The E-Petition has already gathered close to 1,000 signatures, surpassing the required 500 for presentation to the House of Commons. The government will have 45 days to respond after the petition closes on August 3.
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