Understanding the Sikh Independence Movement at the Heart of India-Canada Diplomatic Strain

Relations between India and Canada have intensified due to reciprocal diplomatic expulsions and accusations concerning the Indian government’s alleged involvement in the assassination of a Sikh advocate in Canada.

The crux of the dispute revolves around the Sikh quest for independence, also known as the Khalistan movement. India has consistently accused Canada of harboring sympathies for the movement, which is outlawed in India but garners support among the global Sikh community.

Earlier this week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau articulated in the national assembly what he deemed as credible claims that the Indian government had ties to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. In response, the Indian government refuted any involvement in Nijjar’s death, contending that Canada was attempting to divert attention away from Khalistan activists within its borders.

The Underpinnings of the Khalistan Movement

The Khalistan movement originated as an armed insurrection in the late 1980s, spearheaded by Sikhs advocating for an independent nation. The movement primarily took root in the northern state of Punjab, which has a Sikh-majority population despite Sikhs constituting about 1.7% of India’s entire population.

Related Developments

• The Modi administration expels a Canadian envoy after Trudeau implicates India in Sikh activist’s death
• Canada reciprocates by expelling an Indian diplomat while investigating Sikh activist’s murder; India refutes any connection
• After an extended search, Indian law enforcement detains a leader of the Sikh separatist movement

The rebellion persisted for over a decade and was eventually quelled by stringent Indian governmental actions, resulting in the death of thousands, including noteworthy Sikh figures. Numerous young Sikh individuals also lost their lives in police operations, some of which were later demonstrated in judicial settings to have been fabricated, as indicated by human rights organizations.

In 1984, Indian military forces invaded the Golden Temple, the most sacred site in Sikhism, located in Amritsar, to eliminate separatists who had sought sanctuary there. Official accounts claim the incursion led to approximately 400 casualties, although Sikh organizations argue that the number runs into the thousands.

Prominent Sikh militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, accused by the Indian government of orchestrating the insurgency, was among those killed. Subsequently, on October 31, 1984, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who had ordered the temple raid, was assassinated by two Sikh bodyguards. Her murder ignited a wave of anti-Sikh violence, where Hindu mobs targeted Sikhs across northern India, particularly in New Delhi, executing many and setting others ablaze.

Current State of the Khalistan Movement

While there is no ongoing insurrection in Punjab, the Khalistan movement retains a faction of supporters both within the state and among the international Sikh diaspora. The Indian government has continuously issued warnings that Sikh separatists are seeking a resurgence.

The administration led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ramped up efforts to apprehend Sikh separatists, arresting numerous leaders affiliated with various groups connected to the movement.

In 2020, amid farmer protests against contentious agricultural laws, the Modi government initially labeled Sikh participants as “Khalistanis.” However, under mounting pressure, the laws were eventually rescinded.

Earlier this year, Amritpal Singh, a 30-year-old preacher who had revitalized calls for Khalistan, was arrested by Indian authorities, reigniting concerns of potential violence in Punjab.

Global Reach of the Khalistan Movement

India has urged countries like Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom to take judicial measures against Sikh activists. The issue has been particularly contentious with Canada, where Sikhs constitute nearly 2% of the nation’s populace.

Earlier this year, demonstrations against the arrest of Amritpal Singh led to violent incidents at Indian diplomatic missions abroad. Indian flags were torn down, and property was damaged, eliciting strong rebukes from India’s foreign ministry.

The Indian government has also accused Khalistan sympathizers in Canada of defacing Hindu temples with “anti-India” inscriptions and assaulting the Indian High Commission in Ottawa during a March protest.

Last year, Paramjit Singh Panjwar, a notable Sikh militant and leader of the Khalistan Commando Force, was fatally shot in Pakistan.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Khalistan Movement

More about Khalistan Movement

• Understanding the Khalistan Movement
• India-Canada Diplomatic Relations
• Golden Temple Operation
• India’s 2020 Farmer Protests
• Sikh Diaspora and Global Politics
• Sikh Population in Canada
• India’s Counter-Insurgency Measures
• Amritpal Singh’s Arrest
• Indira Gandhi’s Assassination