Jagmeet Singh, the leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP), has recently called for the Canadian government to impose economic sanctions and ban the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) amid rising diplomatic tensions between Canada and India.
His demands come in light of allegations linking Indian officials to the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader and Canadian citizen who was designated a terrorist by India.
Nijjar, a prominent advocate for the Khalistan movement, was killed in June 2023. Singh has consistently voiced concerns over the involvement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in the incident. Following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s accusations that Indian officials were involved in Nijjar’s murder, Singh expressed support for expelling Indian diplomats and called for robust actions against the RSS in Canada.
Singh asserted that Canada has credible evidence suggesting that the Indian government was behind Nijjar’s assassination and emphasized the fear and intimidation faced by the Sikh community in Canada. He described the situation as serious, stating, “Canada has long held credible evidence that the Narendra Modi government was involved in the murder of Canadian Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.” He also noted that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is investigating claims of targeted harassment against pro-Khalistani figures by Indian diplomats.
The RCMP has revealed that organized crime networks may have been used to execute political assassinations and other illicit activities in Canada. Singh highlighted the implications of such actions, warning that the threats posed by this violence extend beyond the targeted individuals to all Canadians.
Jagmeet Singh, born in Scarborough, Ontario, on January 2, 1979, is the first leader of a major federal political party in Canada to come from a visible minority. His parents immigrated from Punjab, India, in search of better opportunities. Before entering politics, Singh earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and a law degree and worked as a criminal defense lawyer.
He first entered public office as a Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) in Ontario in 2011, later becoming the leader of the NDP in 2017. Known for his progressive policies, Singh has been an influential figure in shaping discussions on social and economic justice in Canada. Despite facing controversy due to his support for Khalistan and criticism of India’s government, he remains a significant voice in Canadian politics. Singh, who is married to fashion designer Gurkiran Kaur and has a daughter, has drawn media attention for both his political stances and his unique personal style.
Also Read: Ex-Diplomat Blames PM Trudeau For Strained India-Canada Ties, Supports Extremists
The growth can be attributed to improved supply chains and sustained demand for the Range…
The Tata Group has announced an ambitious plan to create 500,000 manufacturing jobs over the…
The procurement involves the purchase of Predator drones from American defense manufacturer General Atomics under…
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar hailed the productive SCO Summit in Islamabad, outlining India's eight…
Omar Abdullah, who has taken office as Chief Minister for the second time, emphasized this…
Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN Coordinator for Lebanon, expressed deep concern over the growing human toll…