A former premier of British Columbia and federal health minister has voiced his opinion on allegations that India is responsible for the killing of a Sikh leader in Surrey, British Columbia. Ujjal Dosanjh, who led the province as a New Democrat between 2000 and 2001, stated that while he finds the allegations “incredible,” they cannot be entirely ruled out. Dosanjh highlighted the changes that have occurred in India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, suggesting that India may be capable of such actions in order to project power. However, Dosanjh also expressed his disbelief that the Sikh leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was such a significant threat to India that it would resort to international borders to carry out the killing. Dosanjh called such actions “despicable.” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that national security authorities had “credible” intelligence suggesting involvement of “agents of the government of India” in Nijjar’s shooting. India’s Ministry of External Affairs promptly rejected the claim, calling it “absurd and motivated.” As a result, both countries have expelled diplomats with trade talks suspended and a planned trade mission postponed. Trudeau has called for India’s cooperation in the investigation and assures that Canada will remain calm. Nijjar, a vocal Khalistan movement supporter, had reportedly been receiving threats due to his political activism. The Sikh community in Surrey, Sikhs For Justice, and the World Sikh Organization of Canada are demanding swift justice in the case. Dosanjh has echoed these calls and urged the government to provide evidence if it claims to know who prompted the murder. Dan Stanton, a former CSIS intelligence officer, described Trudeau’s disclosure as “unprecedented” in relation to a country believed to be an ally. Stanton argued that India’s actions against minority groups and religious organizations within its own borders align with what may have occurred in Nijjar’s case, and suggested that Canada should seek support from its allies to condemn these alleged actions. Trudeau has cited intelligence as the basis for the allegations against India, but it is worth noting that intelligence is not admissible as evidence in court. Protests are already scheduled to take place at Indian consulate offices in Vancouver, Toronto, and Ottawa. The Vancouver Police Department has increased its presence outside the Vancouver office, and temporary parking and stopping zones have been established in the city. The Sikh community welcomes Trudeau’s revelation but hopes for action rather than just words. Calls from the World Sikh Organization of Canada include protection for at-risk Canadian Sikhs, a review of Indian diplomats and consular officials, enhanced security measures, and a cessation of intelligence-sharing between the two countries. The group also calls for Canada’s withdrawal from its Framework for Cooperation on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism with India and for India to be added to the list of countries being investigated in Canada’s new public inquiry on foreign interference. Dosanjh believes that it will be some time before Canada and India’s relationship can recover and expresses hope for peace in the future.
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