In Canada’s backyard, an insidious threat has been quietly flourishing—one that now claws its way into the very fabric of Canadian foreign policy. This threat is not a mythical beast but the Khalistan movement, whose dormant embers in India have been fanned into flames by separatist elements thriving on Canadian soil. If left unchecked, these metaphorical snakes may soon turn on Canada itself.
The Khalistan movement, which sought an independent Sikh homeland in India, has been largely inactive since the mid-1980s. A 2021 Pew Research Survey underscores this reality, revealing that a staggering 95% of Indian Sikhs express overwhelming pride in their Indian identity. Furthermore, 70% believe that disrespecting India disqualifies one from being a true Sikh. Despite these facts, a small cadre of Khalistani separatists abroad refuses to let the issue fade, driving them to extreme measures to keep their agenda alive.
This dangerous persistence was starkly highlighted in June 2024 when Members of Parliament from all Canadian political parties observed a minute of silence for Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a known Khalistani separatist. Nijjar, who has been on Canada’s No Fly List since 2016 and had his bank accounts frozen due to his involvement in terrorist training camps, was nevertheless honored by the Canadian Parliament. This act of idolizing someone involved in terror training not only tarnishes Canada’s international reputation but also perpetuates a colonial legacy that rewards criminality over justice.
Canada, alongside the USA and other Western nations, must recognize that India’s security concerns are as legitimate today as the hunt for Osama Bin Laden was then. The tragic bombing of Air India Flight 182 in 1985, orchestrated by Khalistanis, claimed the lives of 329 passengers, including 268 Canadians. Despite warnings from Indian intelligence and Canadian authorities, the tragedy unfolded, a failure later acknowledged in the 2010 report by the Canadian Commission of Inquiry into Air India Flight 182. The report cited a “cascading series of errors” by Canadian ministries, CSIS, and the RCMP, raising unsettling questions about Canada’s ability to protect its citizens.
Forty years on, it appears Canada has yet to fully embrace the compassion and decisive action required to prevent such atrocities. The recent threat by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Canadian-American citizen, to bomb Air India flights between November 1 and 19, 2024, underscores this ongoing vulnerability. While such threats in the US might result in stringent penalties, Pannun risks minimal consequences due to his privileged status as a first-world citizen targeting a third-world country. This double standard not only emboldens extremists but also erodes trust in the justice system.
The West, particularly Canada, must shed its outdated practice of nurturing poisonous snakes within its borders. In the 1980s, these separatist elements emerged from India’s vicinity and eventually crossed the Atlantic, turning against their hosts. Today, the West has become the breeding ground for these same elements, allowing them to gain influence and power unchecked. If this trend continues, the very institutions and values that define Canada may be undermined from within.
It is imperative that Canada re-evaluates its stance on the Khalistan movement and similar extremist groups. By taking a firm stand against those who seek to destabilize Canada and by honoring victims rather than perpetrators, Canada can reclaim its role as a bastion of justice and security. Failure to act decisively will not only compromise foreign policy but may also lead to a future where Canada becomes a target rather than a sanctuary.
The time to act is now. Canada must exterminate the snakes in its backyard before they strike, ensuring a safe and unified future for all its citizens.
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.
