Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, leader of banned pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), who has been designated as a terrorist in India, in a statement on Sunday evening, said that “Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has created more open conversations around India and its handling of the Khalistani independence movement”. Top sources from the Indian government said “the statement is a clear reflection of what the Government of India has been saying for a a period of time. “Trudeau is engaging with terrorists in his country without understanding the repercussions,” they added.
ALSO READ | ‘Pak’s ISI Funds Khalistani Pannun’: Referendum to Immigration, Intel Sources Decode Strategy | Exclusive
Pannun added that Trudeau’s move has allowed Khalistani supporters to become more vocal without fear of retribution.
The relations between India and Canada are at an all-time low after Trudeau alleged, in his Parliament, the involvement of a “foreign agent” in the killing of Khalistan separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He even claimed that he had intelligence inputs and evidence that the Indian government could be behind Nijjar’s death.
These allegations, which New Delhi has strongly denied, resulted in tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats on both sides.
Nijjar was killed by unidentified gunmen outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, Canada, on June 18. He was the chief of banned Khalistan Tiger Force, and was designated a terrorist by the Indian government under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in 2020. Interpol had also issued red corner notice against him quite a few times, the first one being in 2016.
THE FAILED REFERUNDUMS
After two failed referendums for Khalistan in Canadan, Pannun said that organizers are planning more in Abbotsford, Edmonton, Calgary, and Montreal in 2024.
CNN-News18 has regularly reported how Trudeau is allowing terrorist to move freely in Canada. He is not cooperating in investigations despite them being declared offenders and investigated by Federal agencies.
CNN-News18 earlier reported how Pannun’s referendum rallies in Canada were complete failures, said local sources, adding the numbers being given out, alleging public support for Khalistan, too, are fake.
ALSO READ | Canada’s Referendum Rally Sees Low Voter Turnout Amid Nijjar Row with India
“In the September 10 poll, the SFJ claimed they got 1.35 lakh votes, but in reality only 2,398 people came out to vote. In case of the October 29 poll too, contrary to the claims of 2 lakh voters, only 2,000 voters, mostly students and old set of supporters, voted,” said local sources.
PANNUN-PAK LINKS
CNN-News18 also reported how Pannun is being funded by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), according to top intelligence sources.
ALSO READ | Nijjar Row: Khalistani Leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun Threatens Hindus in Canada
“He is running an immigration racket. His idea is to instigate the youth of Punjab born after 1984 against India over alleged atrocities against the Sikh community. A majority of youth from Punjab wants to migrate to Canada, the United Kingdom (UK) and United State of America (USA) and Pannun is using them as free labour. His idea is to attack leaders, the map and flag of India,” said sources.
Pannun is getting money from innocent youths and donations in the name of war. “He has made all gurdwaras of the UK, Canada and USA breeding grounds for anti-India sentiments. According to a witness, ISI operatives are regular visitors there,” said sources.
