Three men have been charged in Canada for the alleged murder of a prominent Sikh separatist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The accused individuals, identified as Karanpreet Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karan Brar, are facing charges of conspiring to commit the murder of Nijjar, a Canadian citizen.
Nijjar was fatally shot by masked assailants outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia, last June. He was known for his advocacy for a separate Sikh homeland, Khalistan, which would encompass parts of India's Punjab state.
The incident has sparked diplomatic tensions between Canada and India. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau previously suggested credible links between the Indian government and Nijjar's killing, a claim vehemently denied by India. This led to reciprocal expulsions of senior diplomats from both countries.
Campaigning for Khalistan is prohibited in India due to the historical context of a violent insurgency by some Sikh separatists. However, the cause finds support among segments of the Sikh diaspora abroad, where activists can openly advocate for secession under free speech protections.
In a related development, the United States has accused an Indian government official of involvement in a plot to kill another Sikh separatist, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, on US soil. The indictment alleges that an Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, acted on orders from the official. India has denied any role in the alleged conspiracy.
Following Nijjar's assassination, concerns have been raised about the safety of Sikh activists living outside India. Dr. Pritpal Singh, an American citizen and head of the American Sikh Caucus Committee, disclosed being warned by the FBI about a threat to his life post-Nijjar's killing.
Dr. Singh praised Canadian law enforcement for their commitment to pursuing justice in these cases and emphasized the community's resolve to seek accountability and justice for such reprehensible acts.
