Pro-Khalistan demonstrators staged a day-long protest outside the Indian consulate in Vancouver Thursday, marking two years since then-prime minister Justin Trudeau told Parliament that Canadian authorities were investigating possible Indian government involvement in the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The demonstration, billed as a “siege” of the consulate at 325 Howe St., was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. and continue until 8 p.m. Organizers said it will be peaceful but “determined,” aimed at drawing attention to what they allege is continued intimidation of Sikh activists in Canada. “On Sept. 18, 2023, prime minister Justin Trudeau told Parliament that Canadian authorities were investigating the involvement of Indian agents in the assassination of Shaheed Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, B.C.,” reads a media advisory from the group. “Two years later, Indian consulates in Canada continue to operate covert surveillance and intimidation networks targeting Khalistan referendum organizers,” the statement continues, adding that the RCMP recently offered the equivalent of witness protection to Inderjeet Singh Gosal, described as Nijjar’s successor in the movement. The advisory urged Indo-Canadians who planned routine visits to the consulate to reschedule, warning access would be disrupted throughout the day. “On this day, pro-Khalistan Sikhs — carrying forward the mission of Shaheed Nijjar — will stage a peaceful but determined ‘siege’ of the consulate, demanding accountability for Indian state-directed espionage and intimidation on Canadian soil,” the release states. At the consulate, Jag Sidhu, member of the group Team Nijjar, told CTV News the community still has many unanswered questions and is waiting for justice to be served. “We know that the foot soldiers have been captured, but on the other hand, the planners are still on the loose,” he said, referring to the four young men charged with first-degree murder in the case. Sidhu said members of Team Nijjar, which he described as a group of people dedicated to continuing the activist’s mission, are living in fear of threats and violence. He called on the Canadian government to do more to protect its citizens from foreign interference. Nijjar’s killing and Canada–India relations Nijjar, a prominent Sikh activist and president of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, was fatally shot in the parking lot of the temple in June 2023. Three months later, Trudeau told Parliament there were “credible allegations” linking Indian government agents to his assassination — a revelation that set off a diplomatic firestorm. Canada expelled a senior Indian diplomat, India expelled Canadian officials in response, and both countries suspended consular services. Trade talks were also put on hold as relations hit their lowest point in decades. This past summer, signs of a thaw emerged after meetings at the G7 summit, where both sides agreed to restore high commissioners and resume regular consular operations. But organizers of Thursday’s demonstration say more must be done to protect Sikh leaders in Canada.
