In a webinar, Sameer Kaushal, a radio host of the Sher-e Punjab Radio of Canada, demanded that the Justin Trudeau Government act on the Khalistani elements threatening law and order in the country.
Notably, in March 2023, Kaushal was attacked by Khalistani extremists.
He also appreciated the Bloom Report initiated in 2019 by then Prime Minister Boris Johnson and proposed resettling the faith, religion, and community program in the United Kingdom.
He shared his experience of violence meted out to him by the Khalistani extremists.
In April 2023, the Indian High Commissioner’s visit to Canada’s Western Coast was disrupted by Khalistani extremists who also prohibited Sameer Kaushal from attending the event and was subjected to violence at the hands of Khalistani extremists.
According to Kaushal, the extremists use religion as a weapon to radicalise innocent people worldwide and often create false narratives of the Indian Government’s neglect of Sikh Rights. He urged the Canadian government to follow the lead of the UK and speak out against the Khalistani violence in the country via Bloom Report.
The Chairman of Law and Society Alliance, NC Bipindra, hosted the webinar where he stated that the Khalistani movement does not represent most of the Sikh population worldwide. He emphasised that Sikhism is considered one of the purest forms of religion, with its many followers engaged in humanitarian aid.
Anilesh Mahajan, the Deputy Editor at India Today, also appreciated Colin Bloom’s efforts in the report published by the British Government. He also noted that there is an increase in Khalistani Activities in Western nations like the UK, the US, Australia, and Canada are being overlooked by their respective Governments under the guise of freedom of speech and expression.
Since there are no policies outlining the audit of non-governmental organizations in these countries, gurudwaras are considered safe havens for pro-Khalistani activists, he added. Gurudwaras in Toronto, for example, are believed to be harbour grounds for people involved in extortion.
According to Mahajan, Khalistanis use a global criminal network actively funded by Pakistan. For instance, a man of charity who runs an NGO in India and carries out acts of donations in various countries, including Somalia.
The man is secretly funded by the Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) and is closely linked to Khalistani Leaders, allowing them to expand their soft power worldwide. As per Mahajan, the Khalistani Ideology has deeply penetrated Punjab’s music and film industry.
He also emphasised the need to understand the strategy of such radicals as they seek to undermine democratic values in various nations.
An independent engagement advisor, Colin Bloom, published a review commissioned by British Authorities recommending that the UK government investigate extremist activities within the country’s Sikh community amidst the backdrop of pro-Khalistani elements inciting violence and intimidation.
According to the report, “a small but highly vocal and aggressive minority of British Sikhs who can be described as pro-Khalistani elements are promoting an ethno-nationalist agenda.”
The report revealed that “subversive, sectarian, and discriminatory activities” of such elements do not represent the majority of British Sikhs. The extremist fringe ideology within the pro-Khalistani movement has caused division between British Sikh Communities.
The report added that the UK Government “should clearly define and investigate extremist activities and identify where they exist within the Sikh community, taking steps to develop a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of subversive and sectarian Sikh extremist activity.”
On April 19, 2023, an embarrassing situation occurred for the Khalistani elements in London as nobody turned up for the protest; they had called outside the Indian High Commissioner’s Office.
The protest was aimed at the report made by Colin Bloom, an independent faith engagement adviser, where he used the word “Sikh Extremism”.
As per local reports, despite the call for protests on April 29, 2023, on various social media platforms, no one turned up.
Speaking to a media house. The UK Police stated they were aware of the protests and stationed police personnel outside the HCI (Indian High Commissioners Office). There was constant patrolling, and police vehicles were there on standby. But no protesters came.
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