Political tensions and diaspora divisions
23.09.2023 posted by Admin
A dispute between Canada and India concerning the murder of a Sikh separatist has raised concerns of political tensions among certain Sikhs and Hindus living abroad. However, some individuals argue that these concerns are exaggerated.
Following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's public statement suggesting that India might be involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil, a video emerged on social media featuring the leader of a US-based Sikh separatist organization, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. In the video, Pannun called on Hindu Canadians to return to India, stating, "Indo-Canadian Hindus, you have rejected your loyalty to Canada and its constitution. Your destination is India. Leave Canada. Go to India."
The video, which gained significant online traction and media coverage in India, raised concerns among some Canadian politicians. Chandra Arya, a Hindu member of Canada's parliament, expressed the fears of many Hindu-Canadians following the targeted attack. He believed that these comments aimed to divide the Hindu and Sikh communities in Canada but declined to provide further comments to the BBC.
This situation has exposed apparent divisions within the Indian diaspora, which Canada's serious allegation has not helped resolve. India has denied any involvement in Mr. Nijjar's murder.
Tensions escalated after Mr. Nijjar's murder, with his supporters organizing protests across Canada and accusing India of being responsible for his death. These demonstrations faced counter-protests from supporters of the Indian government, with New Delhi officials denouncing posters at the event that labeled Indian diplomats as "killers." India has also voiced concerns about vandalism targeting Hindu temples in Canada with "anti-India graffiti."
Mr. Nijjar was a vocal advocate for the establishment of Khalistan, a separate homeland for Sikhs, in the Indian state of Punjab. India strongly opposes the Khalistan movement and categorizes Mr. Nijjar as a terrorist.
In an interview with the BBC, Mr. Pannun clarified that his remarks were not directed at all Hindus but rather at those who align with the interests of the Indian government, which he noted is primarily Hindu.
Indo-Canadians interviewed by the BBC stated that while their community was surprised by Canada's allegations, they have not experienced threats to their safety or increased day-to-day tensions.
Canada boasts a significant Indo-Canadian population with deep connections to both countries. The population includes 1.86 million residents of Indian descent with diverse religious and socio-economic backgrounds.
Ranbir Grewal, a tech professional in Toronto who identifies as Sikh, emphasized that his social circle includes both Hindu and Sikh Canadians, all of whom reject the idea that Hindu Canadians should leave Canada. He described such statements as offensive and noted that they have sparked discussions.
Grewal also criticized the government of India's travel advisory for Canada, which cautioned its citizens to exercise "utmost caution" due to potential violence, as it has not impacted his daily life or interactions with people.
He believed that inflammatory remarks were aimed at specific factions within the Indo-Canadian community and did not represent the majority's sentiments.
Radhika Sharma, a Hindu student based in Vancouver, regarded the talk of a rift as a "political" issue. She noted that some of her Sikh friends, like her, were upset by Trudeau's accusation because the government had not yet provided public evidence to support it. She called for supportive evidence and expressed concern that this situation could escalate tensions between the two countries.
Rupinder Liddar, a PhD student at McGill University in Montreal, whose research focuses on the Sikh-Canadian community, acknowledged the spread of misinformation online that associates the Khalistan movement with violence or terrorism. However, she stressed that despite political divisions within the Indo-Canadian community, Hindus and Sikhs in Canada have historically had close ties.
She concluded that there should be no tension between Sikh-Canadians and Hindu-Canadians, emphasizing that this is primarily about foreign interference in Canada by a foreign government.
Following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's public statement suggesting that India might be involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil, a video emerged on social media featuring the leader of a US-based Sikh separatist organization, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. In the video, Pannun called on Hindu Canadians to return to India, stating, "Indo-Canadian Hindus, you have rejected your loyalty to Canada and its constitution. Your destination is India. Leave Canada. Go to India."
The video, which gained significant online traction and media coverage in India, raised concerns among some Canadian politicians. Chandra Arya, a Hindu member of Canada's parliament, expressed the fears of many Hindu-Canadians following the targeted attack. He believed that these comments aimed to divide the Hindu and Sikh communities in Canada but declined to provide further comments to the BBC.
This situation has exposed apparent divisions within the Indian diaspora, which Canada's serious allegation has not helped resolve. India has denied any involvement in Mr. Nijjar's murder.
Tensions escalated after Mr. Nijjar's murder, with his supporters organizing protests across Canada and accusing India of being responsible for his death. These demonstrations faced counter-protests from supporters of the Indian government, with New Delhi officials denouncing posters at the event that labeled Indian diplomats as "killers." India has also voiced concerns about vandalism targeting Hindu temples in Canada with "anti-India graffiti."
Mr. Nijjar was a vocal advocate for the establishment of Khalistan, a separate homeland for Sikhs, in the Indian state of Punjab. India strongly opposes the Khalistan movement and categorizes Mr. Nijjar as a terrorist.
In an interview with the BBC, Mr. Pannun clarified that his remarks were not directed at all Hindus but rather at those who align with the interests of the Indian government, which he noted is primarily Hindu.
Indo-Canadians interviewed by the BBC stated that while their community was surprised by Canada's allegations, they have not experienced threats to their safety or increased day-to-day tensions.
Canada boasts a significant Indo-Canadian population with deep connections to both countries. The population includes 1.86 million residents of Indian descent with diverse religious and socio-economic backgrounds.
Ranbir Grewal, a tech professional in Toronto who identifies as Sikh, emphasized that his social circle includes both Hindu and Sikh Canadians, all of whom reject the idea that Hindu Canadians should leave Canada. He described such statements as offensive and noted that they have sparked discussions.
Grewal also criticized the government of India's travel advisory for Canada, which cautioned its citizens to exercise "utmost caution" due to potential violence, as it has not impacted his daily life or interactions with people.
He believed that inflammatory remarks were aimed at specific factions within the Indo-Canadian community and did not represent the majority's sentiments.
Radhika Sharma, a Hindu student based in Vancouver, regarded the talk of a rift as a "political" issue. She noted that some of her Sikh friends, like her, were upset by Trudeau's accusation because the government had not yet provided public evidence to support it. She called for supportive evidence and expressed concern that this situation could escalate tensions between the two countries.
Rupinder Liddar, a PhD student at McGill University in Montreal, whose research focuses on the Sikh-Canadian community, acknowledged the spread of misinformation online that associates the Khalistan movement with violence or terrorism. However, she stressed that despite political divisions within the Indo-Canadian community, Hindus and Sikhs in Canada have historically had close ties.
She concluded that there should be no tension between Sikh-Canadians and Hindu-Canadians, emphasizing that this is primarily about foreign interference in Canada by a foreign government.