Amid growing tensions between Canada and India, Chandra Arya, a Member of Parliament representing Hindu-Canadians, has expressed his concerns over the rising threat posed by Khalistani extremism within the country. In a detailed statement, Arya emphasised the need for stronger government action to safeguard the interests and safety of Hindu-Canadians.
Speaking from personal experience, Arya recounted a recent incident at a Hindu event in Edmonton, where he required the protection of Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers due to the presence of a disruptive group of Khalistani protesters. The protesters, staging a demonstration against Arya, underscored the growing prominence of Khalistani extremism within Canada’s borders.
“Last week, I could safely participate in a Hindu event in Edmonton only under the protection of RCMP officers, as a group of Khalistani protesters staged a disruptive demonstration against me,” Arya revealed in his statement. This alarming incident, according to Arya, highlights the very real threat posed by such extremist elements and the increasingly hostile environment faced by many in the Hindu-Canadian community.
Arya pointed out that Khalistani violent extremism has been a persistent problem in Canada, with deep historical and political roots. The Khalistan movement, which seeks to establish an independent Sikh state in India’s Punjab region, has long been a source of tension between the Canadian and Indian governments. Despite India’s repeated concerns, Canada has faced criticism for allowing pro-Khalistan elements to flourish within its borders.
In his statement, Arya emphasised that this is not just a bilateral issue between Canada and India, but a Canadian problem that must be addressed domestically. “In Canada, we have long recognised the serious problem of Khalistani violent extremism. Let me be clear: any actions or involvement by foreign state actors within Canada, in any form, are unacceptable,” Arya declared.
He urged the Canadian government to take firm action against extremism, warning that such threats do not respect national borders. “We know that extremism and terrorism don’t recognise and are not limited to national borders. On Canadian Khalistani violent extremism, as Canadians, we expect our federal government and its agencies to collaborate with other affected countries to protect our citizens.”
Arya’s call for action comes at a time when relations between Canada and India have hit a low point following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s explosive allegations regarding India’s role in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar, who had been designated a terrorist by India’s National Investigation Agency in 2020, was shot and killed outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2022.
Trudeau’s assertion that Canada possessed “credible allegations” implicating Indian agents in Nijjar’s assassination has set off a diplomatic firestorm, with both countries engaging in tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats. Canada expelled several Indian diplomats, labeling them “persons of interest” in the Nijjar investigation. In response, India expelled six Canadian diplomats and withdrew its High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma.
https://twitter.com/AryaCanada/status/1846671330902483298?t=TtqjODH5o_vLKhJl-wJtsQ&s=08
The Indian government has consistently denied the allegations, calling them “absurd” and “motivated.” New Delhi has also accused Canada of turning a blind eye to the activities of Khalistani extremists on Canadian soil, a charge that has further deepened the rift between the two nations.
The fallout from this diplomatic row has impacted the ability of Canada and India to collaborate on security issues, particularly in combating Khalistani extremism. Arya acknowledged this, saying, “Recent revelations and developments are impacting Canada and India’s ability to collaborate on this issue. It is critical that we all recognise the importance of eliminating cross-border threats posed by Khalistani extremism and resume our efforts to address it effectively.”
In his statement, Arya was sharply critical of the political patronage that some extremist elements in Canada continue to enjoy. He cited a recent article by Andrew Coyne, a respected columnist for The Globe and Mail, who condemned Canadian politicians for attending rallies where terrorists were glorified, and terrorist acts were praised.
“Political leaders in this country, of all countries, should not be encouraging separatist movements in others, especially those that advocate or engage in violence,” Coyne wrote. Arya echoed this sentiment, underscoring the need for Canadian politicians to distance themselves from extremist groups that promote violence and separatism.
This patronage, Arya warned, has emboldened extremists and created an environment where groups like the Khalistan movement can thrive. “The persistence of Canadian Khalistani extremism is rooted in the political patronage these extremists enjoy,” Arya noted, calling on all levels of government to take the issue seriously and end any political support for extremist causes.
In a direct address to his fellow Hindu-Canadians, Arya stressed the importance of unity and collective action. He noted that the Hindu-Canadian community, despite being one of the most educated and successful groups in the country, has often maintained a low profile in political matters, a stance that Arya believes has led to their concerns being overlooked.
“We are one of the most educated and successful communities in this country, contributing greatly to Canada’s progress. Yet, our low profile is often mistaken for weakness by politicians,” Arya observed.
He urged Hindu-Canadians to raise their voices and demand accountability from political leaders, emphasising that only through collective advocacy will the community’s concerns be addressed. “I pledge to do my best to advocate on your behalf. However, my efforts alone are not enough. The only way to have our concerns addressed is for Hindu-Canadians to raise their voices and hold all politicians accountable. Together, we must ensure that our safety and interests are protected,” Arya concluded.
Arya’s statement comes at a critical juncture for Canada, as the country grapples with the dual challenges of addressing domestic extremism while navigating a deteriorating diplomatic relationship with India. The rising threat of Khalistani extremism, coupled with the ongoing diplomatic row, poses a significant challenge for the Canadian government.
