Hardeep Singh Nijjar: Why The Khalistani Leader's Killing Became An India-Canada Diplomatic Row

In an unprecedented move, Canada on Monday expelled an Indian diplomat from the country. The action came shortly after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told the Parliament that there are credible allegations that India's government may have had links to the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani leader who was shot dead in Surrey, in June.

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Head of Indian intelligence expelled

Canadian Foreign Minister M¨¦lanie Joly said the head of Indian intelligence in Canada has been expelled as a consequence.

"If proven true, this would be a great violation of our sovereignty and of the most basic rule of how countries deal with each other," Joly said. "As a consequence, we have expelled a top Indian diplomat," she said.

Unacceptable: Canada

"We see this possible breach of sovereignty as completely unacceptable, and so, that is also why we're coming (out) with this information (of the expulsion of the Indian diplomat) today," Joly said.

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Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar?

46-year-old Nijjar, who was originally from Bhar Singh Pura village in Jalandhar, was shot on the evening of June 18 at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia.

Nijjar, who was declared a terrorist by India for his association with the Khalistani Tiger Force (KTF), was shot dead by two suspects, described as "heavier set males, wearing face coverings," who fled the scene on foot and likely had a vehicle waiting for them closeby.

Nijjar was also associated with another banned terror outfit, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and held the position of 'Number 2' after Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

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The NIA had announced an award of ?10 lakh on Nijjar, and his name was on the wanted list handed over by the then-Punjab Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh, to Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau during the latter's visit to India in 2018.

India hits back

India on Tuesday rejected the allegations by Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) termed the allegations ¡®absurd ¡®and ¡®motivated¡¯.

"We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister," said the MEA in an official statement.

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"Allegations of the Indian government's "involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated", the release added.

"Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister and were completely rejected," said the official release.

Canada sheltering Khalistani terrorists: MEA

"Such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten India's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The inaction of the Canadian Government on this matter has been a long-standing and continuing concern," it added.

The release states that Canadian political figures have openly expressed sympathy for such elements, which remains a matter of deep concern.

"The space given in Canada to a range of illegal activities including murders, human trafficking and organised crime is not new", read the release.

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