Moninder Singh, a prominent spokesperson for a Sikh advocacy group in British Columbia, has twice received ominous warnings from Canadian police since July 2022. Authorities informed him of an imminent threat to his life, though they did not specify the source of the danger. As a result, Singh, 43, has been forced to live away from his home and family for months at a time, unsure of his safety in the Vancouver suburb of Surrey. His experience highlights the growing fears within Canada’s Sikh community, the largest outside of India’s Punjab, as tensions escalate between Canada and India.
Canada’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) recently confirmed that more than a dozen Sikh activists like Singh, who advocate for the creation of a Sikh homeland in India, have been warned about life-threatening dangers. These warnings come at a time when relations between Canada and India are severely strained, following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s accusation last year that India was involved in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh separatist leader in Surrey. Nijjar, who was also a close friend of Moninder Singh, was killed in June 2023.
India has denied any involvement in Nijjar’s murder, but Trudeau’s accusations have put the spotlight on Canada’s Sikh activists, many of whom support the separatist Khalistan movement. India, in turn, has accused Canada of being a safe haven for Sikh extremists. The diplomatic fallout reached new heights when Canada expelled six Indian diplomats earlier this week, citing their alleged involvement in Nijjar’s killing and broader activities aimed at targeting Indian dissidents in Canada through organized crime and clandestine efforts.
In retaliation, India expelled six Canadian diplomats and called Trudeau’s allegations politically motivated and baseless. Despite the back-and-forth, Trudeau has stood firm, stating that Canadian authorities have “clear and compelling evidence” of India’s involvement in activities that pose a significant threat to public safety. These accusations have placed additional pressure on Sikh activists like Moninder Singh, who have become increasingly cautious in their everyday lives.
Singh recounted how the vague warnings from the RCMP have left him feeling anxious and uncertain. “They don’t tell you who or where,” Singh said. “They just give you a heads-up and tell you to take precautions.” As a result, Singh has had to alter his daily routine, staying away from public events and even avoiding taking his children to school. The fear of being targeted has seeped into his interactions with others, making him constantly vigilant.
Similarly, Sikh activist Inderjeet Singh Gosal, who took on Nijjar’s advocacy work after his death, also received a late-night visit from police at his home in Brampton, Ontario. While Gosal was not home, his wife answered the door to find officers asking about his whereabouts and recent trips to India. When police eventually reached Gosal by phone, they informed him of a threat to his life. “My family, they worry. But I know what I signed up for,” Gosal said, acknowledging the dangers of his activism.
Balpreet Singh, legal counsel for the World Sikh Organization of Canada, has noticed a marked increase in violence and extortion attempts targeting Sikh activists in recent months. He expressed concern over the growing sense of unease within the community, stating that the rise in threats is changing how people live their daily lives. This heightened sense of caution has become all too familiar for Moninder Singh, who said, “You’re constantly looking around, wondering if somebody’s coming this way or that way.”
Despite the ongoing threats, Moninder Singh remains hopeful about Canada’s recent actions. He believes the government’s firm stance against the threats to Sikh activists is helping restore confidence within the community. “The way they’re dealing with it now is helpful,” he said. “It shows that these things can’t just happen without consequences.”
However, the impact on Sikh families and activists is profound, as they grapple with the reality of constant danger. For many, including Singh and Gosal, the threats have altered how they move through life, forcing them to live with heightened awareness and fear. As the diplomatic tensions between Canada and India continue to unfold, the Sikh community remains caught in the middle, seeking safety and justice in an increasingly volatile situation.
