A prominent leader in British Columbia’s Sikh community says the community feels vindicated following new Canadian police allegations of foreign interference by Indian government agents in Canada.
RCMP Commissioner Mike Duhem said Monday that the force has evidence of violent criminal activity in Canada, including murders and extortion, linked to Indian government agents.
The RCMP also claimed to have evidence of diplomats collecting information on Canadians for the Indian government, and said there was a significant threat to public safety.
Police took the unusual step one year after the federal government alleged a link between the Government of India and the assassination of British Columbia gurdwara president and Khalistan independence activist Hardeep Singh Nigar.
Members of British Columbia’s Sikh community have long claimed they are being targeted by the Indian government, and say Monday’s revelations were further proof.
“Individuals like myself had multiple duties to warn (notices) against my life as well, so I can say this from a personal space as well as from a community leaders space, is that it is shocking to us that this could be allowed to continue now,” a BC Council spokesperson said. Gurdwaras Moninder Singh for Global News.
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“Tougher steps by the Canadian government against India is what we want to see. So, while these individuals have left, how can we avoid this situation in the future?
Four men linked to organized crime have been charged in Al-Najjar’s killing. An update issued Monday by the RCMP shed more light on the case, as the investigation linked senior Indian diplomats in Canada, including High Commissioner Sanjay Verma, to criminal gangs operating in Canada.
Sikh leaders in British Columbia say they will not be pressured.
“Najjar’s killing marked the finish line for our society,” Singh said. “If you try to intimidate our community, if you try to silence us, we will do the opposite.”
David Eby, leader of the British Columbia National Party, said the British Columbia government has been briefed on the investigation, and the province is doing everything it can to support police and keep the Sikh community safe.
“B.C. will continue to ensure our police have all the resources they need to get to the bottom of this matter and hold those involved accountable,” he said.
“The strength of our county lies in the fact that people come here from all over the world, can be safe, and build good lives for themselves and their families. Anything that threatens that is a threat to all of us. We will stick together. We will not allow any foreign government to divide us.”
British Columbia Conservative Leader John Rustad called the allegations “deeply troubling” and called for an investigation into foreign interference targeting the Sikh community and other Canadians.
“B.C.’s Sikh community, like any other group, deserves to live in safety without fear of intimidation or harassment by foreign governments,” he said in a statement.
Singh said the Sikh community has long been pushing for an investigation focusing specifically on allegations of foreign interference by the Indian government and an end to intelligence sharing with India.
He also wants to see the government pursue criminal charges, if possible.
“While this is a very welcome step, we really want to see (the government) pursue the diplomatic immunity that Mr. Burma enjoys, and that these diplomats enjoy,” he added. “Is there any possibility of prosecuting them within Canada?”
The Indian government denies any suggestion that it is involved in crimes in Canada.
The South Asian country responded by expelling six Canadian diplomats on Monday and withdrawing its ambassador from Canada.
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