Pro-Khalistani supporters in Canada were seen in a video that went viral on social media on Thursday making offensive remarks, calling white Canadians "invaders" and advising them to "return to England and Europe."
This video has prompted new discussion about the increasing power of Khalistan supporters in Canada and their effect on diplomatic ties with India.
The video, posted on X (formerly Twitter) by a local journalist, depicts a “nagar kirtan” parade in Surrey, British Columbia. Participants, carrying Khalistani flags, chanted slogans asserting that "we are the proprietors of Canada" and that "white people should go back to Europe and Israel."
The clip, lasting two minutes, shows some protesters making inflammatory claims about Canada’s ownership and dismissing white Canadians as "invaders."
India-Canada tensions heightened by Khalistan issue
Relations between India and Canada have been on a downward trajectory since the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Khalistani sympathiser whom India has officially designated as a terrorist. The diplomatic rift has been exacerbated by allegations from Indian intelligence that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is turning a blind eye to the activities of Khalistani groups in exchange for political support.
Trudeau’s alleged ties to Khalistani factions are seen as part of an effort to secure the backing of Sikh-Canadian MP Jagmeet Singh and the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the upcoming elections, amid concerns over Trudeau's declining popularity.
Recently, Trudeau admitted that accusations leveled against India in connection with Nijjar's assassination were grounded solely in intelligence assessments, lacking "concrete evidence." This admission has further strained Canada’s diplomatic standing with India, leading to a stalemate between the two nations.
Indian officials are criticising Trudeau's focus on multiculturalism and tolerance because they believe it is indulgent toward pro-Khalistani groups and could endanger India's national security.
In New Delhi, the Canadian prime minister's dependence on the NDP, which is led by Jagmeet Singh, a well-known supporter of Sikh autonomy, has sparked worries about potential political concessions to pro-Khalistan activists.
Hindu community impacted amid rising Khalistani sentiment
The increasing prominence of pro-Khalistani activism in Canada has also raised concerns within the country's Hindu community, who view these developments as a threat to their sense of security.
Many Indo-Canadians fear that the political support for Khalistani sympathisers could marginalise Hindu voices and impact their standing in Canadian society.
As tensions continue to rise, the diplomatic fallout between India and Canada shows little sign of abating. Trudeau’s government faces the challenge of balancing domestic political alliances with the need to maintain international relations, particularly with India, which sees the rise of Khalistani sentiment in Canada as a direct challenge to its sovereignty.
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