Khalistani outfit issues death threats to PM Modi, Amit Shah, Jaishankar during Canada event
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Surrey: The banned US-based Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) outfit held a Khalistani referendum on September 10 at the Guru Nanak Singh Gurudwara in Surrey, Vancouver, during which the chief of the banned outfit issued threats against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, and other top leaders of India.
At the gathering in Canada, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun delivered a provocative speech where he was heard making death threats to top leaders of India.
In a video from the event, Pannun was heard saying, "This is a message to those who assassinated Hardeep Singh Nijjar. We are calling for your critical death...Modi, Jaishankar, (Ajit) Doval, (Amit) Shah, we are coming for you." Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a wanted Khalistani terrorist by the Indian government, was killed in a targeted shooting in Canada's Surrey in June this year.
The event was attended by an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 people, raising concerns about the extent of support for pro-Khalistan sentiments in the Canadian Sikh community.
In recent talks on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his apprehensions to Prime Minister Trudeau regarding anti-India activities carried out by extremist elements in Canada.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement saying, "PM Modi conveyed our strong concerns about continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada. They are promoting secessionism and inciting violence against Indian diplomats, damaging diplomatic premises, and threatening the Indian community in Canada and their places of worship."
Justin Trudeau, when asked about extremist activities in Canada, emphasized his country's commitment to defending freedom of peaceful protest but asserted that Canada would always prevent violence and push back against hatred.
The emergence of such threats and the organization of a Khalistani referendum in Canada underscore the challenges faced by India in addressing pro-Khalistan sentiments and extremist activities with international dimensions.