- As you are aware, the worldwide community is subjected to one or more forms of terrorist assaults throughout the year, disrupting the peaceful lives of millions of people. India is one of the countries most afflicted by terrorism, insurgency, and extremist elements. Since its independence, India has faced several terrorism-related strikes over its western borders. Nevertheless, insurgents establishing law and order in the country have merely kept the government on their toes. Of course, we all know how the Jammu and Kashmir scenario has played out over the years and how it remains a thorny subject. In addition, the country witnessed a tense situation in Punjab, which was effectively resolved.
PC: REUTERS File
- Yet, as recent occurrences indicate, the re-emergence of Sikh extremist forces in various nations, particularly Canada, has raised the ire of the Indian establishment. Sikh extremists have published posters with the names and images of Indian diplomats in Canada, putting new pressure on relations between New Delhi and Ottawa in what is a transnational terror threat. Notwithstanding the posters’ threats to avenge the recent death of a known Khalistani terrorist, Canadian officials have so far shown no urgency. Khalistani groups have become increasingly active in recent months in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia, vandalizing Indian missions and temples.
- Even as recently as last Sunday, Khalistani activists set fire to the Indian consulate in San Francisco. India knows all too well the cost of letting these groups develop, having confronted and finally removed the scourge of Khalistani terrorism in the 1980s. Sikhs rejected the separatist Khalistani philosophy and went on to become one of India’s most prosperous communities. Nonetheless, some Khalistani forces have sought asylum abroad and have used such countries’ tolerance for free speech and dissent to further their destructive purpose. This is what has happened in Canada, where Sikhs while forming just around 1% of the population, have gained significant political weight.
PC: PUNJAB NEWS LINE
- As a result, Canadian authorities’ stance on Sikh extremist groups is influenced indirectly. As previously documented, a peculiarity in the Canadian political system that requires candidates to put in letters of support for themselves and their parties to be nominated has only assisted the community’s drive for notoriety. Moreover, because Sikhs have a close-knit community structure, they can easily gain nominations for themselves or other candidates even in places where they do not have a majority-significant power even though Sikhs are the dominant ethnic group in only eight federal seats. India must adopt a smart diplomatic strategy to persuade nations such as Canada not to allow Khalistani organizations to operate.
