In a shocking and deeply disturbing incident, RED FM Radio journalist Rishi Nagar was recently stabbed in Calgary. The attack is allegedly linked to Khalistani extremists—individuals pushing for a separate Sikh state—who targeted Nagar for exposing their violent tactics and extortion within religious spaces. This brutal assault marks yet another episode in the rising tide of extremism that has increasingly taken root in Canada. The tragedy is compounded by the fact that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has done little to address this growing threat. Instead, it appears to be walking a perilous path of appeasement, driven by political expediency.
Radio journalist from @REDFMCALGARY Rishi Nagar stabbed and attacked in Calgary by two turbaned individuals for critical media coverage of Khalistanis taking over religious spaces for extortion and violence.
— Journalist V (@OnTheNewsBeat) September 30, 2024
This is on Trudeau and Canada's govt. for enabling these thugs pic.twitter.com/0rjftyFg4z
Canada, often seen as a beacon of peace, multiculturalism, and tolerance, is now grappling with an unsettling reality: the rise of radicalism that is destabilizing the very values the country holds dear. The attack on Nagar is not an isolated event but a symptom of a larger, more insidious problem. In recent years, extremist factions associated with the Khalistan movement have gained momentum within certain diasporic communities in Canada. These groups, while not representative of the majority of Sikhs, have managed to create fear and division, often using intimidation and violence to advance their separatist agenda.
Nagar’s courageous reporting on these very issues—extortion, threats, and violence—should have sparked an urgent conversation about public safety, extremism, and the need to protect free speech in Canada. Instead, his stabbing has exposed a troubling reality: a Canadian government more focused on securing votes than confronting the threat of radicalization.
Prime Minister Trudeau’s government has long been accused of placating these extremist groups, particularly in the lead-up to elections. Khalistani sympathizers form a small but vocal minority within the larger Sikh community, which represents an important vote bank for Trudeau’s Liberal Party. To court these votes, his administration has taken a soft approach, refusing to adequately condemn or crack down on the radical factions. This political calculus is not only short-sighted but dangerous. By allowing extremism to fester, Trudeau risks undermining Canada’s social fabric and emboldening those who use violence as a means of coercion.
What is even more disheartening is the broader message this sends to extremists of all kinds: that violence, intimidation, and extremism can go unchecked if it serves political interests. By failing to address these issues head-on, Trudeau is not only putting public safety at risk but also eroding trust in government institutions meant to safeguard Canadian values of tolerance and coexistence.
There is no question that Canada should protect the rights of all its citizens, including Sikhs and other minority communities, who have made invaluable contributions to the country’s multicultural fabric. But protecting those rights does not mean turning a blind eye to extremism or allowing violent factions to hijack the narrative. Failing to confront these radical elements will only lead to further division and embolden those who seek to impose their agenda through fear and violence.
The attack on Rishi Nagar should be a wake-up call for all Canadians. It is a dire warning that extremism is not a foreign threat, but one that is taking root in the heart of their own communities. And yet, instead of showing leadership and confronting the issue, Trudeau’s government has chosen appeasement, putting politics above principle.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Khalsa Vox or its members.
