AI Generated Summary
- This week’s attempted demonstration near the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Niagara-on-the-Lake was yet another reminder of how a handful of self-styled Khalistan activists continue to misrepresent Sikh interests while offering little more than noise, confusion, and optics that hurt the community rather than help it.
- A small group from the Toronto chapter of Sikhs for Justice turned up to protest the presence of India’s External Affairs Minister, S.
- The G7 protest was not a show of strength — it was a clear sign of how isolated and unrepresentative these actors have become.
This week’s attempted demonstration near the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Niagara-on-the-Lake was yet another reminder of how a handful of self-styled Khalistan activists continue to misrepresent Sikh interests while offering little more than noise, confusion, and optics that hurt the community rather than help it.
A small group from the Toronto chapter of Sikhs for Justice turned up to protest the presence of India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar. But “protest” may be too generous a word — the crowd was so small that police officers on duty outnumbered the demonstrators. Within minutes, authorities asked them to disperse, and the group quietly complied. So much for the “mass movement” they claim to represent.
These individuals shouted familiar talking points about repression in Punjab and alleged Indian government involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. A spokesperson, Kuljeet Singh, insisted they were acting democratically and within the law. Yet the entire spectacle only fueled a more pressing question within the Sikh community: Who gave these fringe actors the right to speak for us?
For years, opportunistic groups have wrapped themselves in the Khalistan banner while engaging in behaviour that does nothing to advance Sikh rights, justice, or dignity. Instead, they create tension, attract scrutiny, and hand opponents easy ammunition to paint Sikh Canadians unfairly. It is deeply frustrating to watch a movement with real historical grievances be dragged down by people who seem more interested in theatrics than meaningful advocacy.
The tiny turnout was telling. Sikh Canadians are not rallying behind these groups. In fact, most want nothing to do with them. Their constant attempts to hijack major events — especially international summits — only reinforce how disconnected they are from everyday Sikh families who value stability, respect, and constructive dialogue.
These stunts do not strengthen the community. They diminish it.
As Sikhs, we have every right to raise concerns about human rights, foreign interference, and justice. But we also have a responsibility to call out those who exploit these issues for attention while tarnishing the image of an entire community. The G7 protest was not a show of strength — it was a clear sign of how isolated and unrepresentative these actors have become.
And it’s time we stop letting a fringe minority pretend otherwise.
