In a sharp rebuke of the current Canadian administration, India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, leveled serious criticism at the Justin Trudeau government for allegedly facilitating the entry of individuals linked to organized crime and extremists who champion violence and separatism, all under the guise of freedom of speech.
During an erudite gathering for a discussion on his book ‘Why Bharat Matters’, Jaishankar pointed out the concerning issue with some Canadian residents, notably those with pro-Pakistan leanings, who have become a powerful political lobby. Jaishankar’s discourse revolved around the proliferation of pro-Khalistani activities in Canada and highlighted the recent apprehension of three Indian nationals in connection to the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, an individual listed as a terrorist by India.
The Minister described a troubling political reality wherein individuals with violent and extremist ideologies have strategically positioned themselves in democratic systems, thereby creating a distorted leverage in politics. Specifically, he expressed concern over the extent to which these factions have embedded themselves within Canadian governmental structures.
According to Jaishankar, these problematic elements have not only been able to gain political traction but also enjoyed undue legitimacy, stressing that the world is not a one-way street and there would be consequences to such actions. The Minister made sure to clarify that while this is not as prominent an issue in other countries like the United States, Canada remains a point of contention.
He cited the example of the Canadian government’s response to crimes against Indian embassies and officials, asking them to consider how they would feel if the roles were reversed. Despite warnings from the Indian government, Canada has been criticized for issuing visas to and welcoming people with known links to crime syndicates operating out of Punjab.
In a dynamic twist to the narrative, Jagmeet Singh, the leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP), suggested an Indian conspiracy in the murder of Nijjar. However, this accusation saw no corroboration from the Canadian police force, who found no evidence pointing towards involvement by the Indian government in the killing of the Khalistani leader.
The tale became murkier when the Canadian Prime Minister made allegations of an Indian hand in the plot against Nijjar, a claim that India outrightly rejected as “absurd and motivated.” Furthermore, the Canadian Police disclosed neither evidence nor association linking India to the assassination.
Amid this ongoing investigation, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) named and released photographs of the three Indian nationals – Karanpreet Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karan Brar – arrested under the suspicion of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in relationship to Nijjar’s killing.
RCMP Assistant Commissioner David Teboul publically stated that inquiries into this matter remain vibrant and extend beyond the participation of the apprehended individuals, including possible connections to the government of India.
The controversy has ushered in an unparalleled diplomatic rift, with allegations and counter-allegations flying between the two commonwealth countries. As the saga continues to unravel, the Canadian authorities are pressing forward with their investigations, while India staunchly denies any clandestine involvement in the conflict-ridden episode.
This unfolding situation poses significant questions about the complex interplay between national sovereignty, international law, and the impact that fringe political groups can have when their ideologies and activities intertwine with the governance and policies of world democracies.
