Toronto – The Indo-Canadian community is calling on Canadian politicians and law enforcement to confront the growing threat posed by Khalistani separatists. The latest controversy erupted when Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a secessionist group, issued threats against Liberal Party MP Chandra Arya following his condemnation of the vandalism at a Hindu temple in Edmonton.
In a recent video, Gurpatwant Pannun, the general counsel for SFJ, directed a provocative message at Arya and his supporters, stating, “You must abandon your citizenship and move back to your motherland, India.” This statement mirrors a similar threat Pannun made last September, where he urged Indo-Hindus to leave Canada, asserting, “You not only support India but you are also supporting the suppression of speech and expression of pro-Khalistan Sikhs.”
The timing of Pannun’s latest remarks coincides with the desecration of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Edmonton, where graffiti targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and MP Arya, branding them with inflammatory terms like ‘Hindu terrorist.’ This incident has intensified concerns within the Indo-Canadian community about the growing influence and aggression of Khalistani extremists.
In response to these threats, MP Arya took to X (formerly Twitter) to defend his position, stating, “We have made and continue to make immense positive and productive contributions to the socio-economic development of Canada. With our long history of Hindu culture and heritage, we have enriched the multicultural fabric of Canada. Our land is being polluted by Khalistani extremists abusing our freedoms guaranteed by our Canadian Charter of Rights.”
Arya has previously called on Canadian law enforcement to take more decisive action against pro-Khalistan rhetoric, highlighting the risk of such hate speech escalating into violence against Hindu-Canadians. “Khalistani extremists seem to get away with ease with their public rhetoric of hate and violence,” he noted.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America Canada expressed alarm over Pannun’s threats, accusing Canadian politicians and law enforcement of neglecting and even endorsing extremist ideologies. The coalition urged a stronger stance against the glorification of convicted terrorists and called for an end to political cover that emboldens these extremist groups.
The National Alliance for Indo-Canadians (NAIC) echoed these sentiments, asserting, “Canada can’t be a battleground for Khalistani extremism. Threats to fellow Canadians and politicians are not aligned with Canadian values.”
The Hindu Canadian Foundation also voiced its support for Arya, emphasizing that Hindu Canadians have the right to safety and respect within Canada. “No one has the right to force us out,” they stated.
In a supportive post on X, former British Columbia Premier Ujjal Dosanjh warned of the escalating threat, stating, “The ecosystem of hate and terror is alive, well, and simmering. Unless checked by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the rest of the Canadian leadership, I am afraid we’re in for more bloodshed.”
