NEW DELHI: Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, whose homicide in June 2023 close his house in Vancouver sparked a diplomatic typhoon between Republic of India and Canada, used to be a long-time campaigner for a isolated place of origin for crowd of his religion.
Nijjar used to be shot lifeless elderly 45 by means of masked gunmen outdoor the temple he presided over later being sought after by means of Indian government for alleged terrorism offences and conspiracy to dedicate homicide — accusations he denied.
Republic of India has known as allegations it used to be desirous about his assassination “absurd”.
Born in 1977 in Republic of India’s Punjab shape, Nijjar grew up all through a violent insurgency that ended within the past due Nineteen Nineties with extremists looking for to carve out a Sikh people referred to as Khalistan.
Punjab is the religious heartland of Sikhs, the place just about 60% of the crowd practice the faith.
Settled in Canada
In 1997, elderly round 20, Nijjar arrived in Canada, house to round 770,000 Sikhs — about 2% of the rustic’s crowd and the largest Sikh people outdoor Republic of India.
He turned into a Canadian citizen in 2015, operating a plumbing trade in addition to being president of a Sikh temple close his house in Surrey, British Columbia.
However he additionally turned into concerned with teams campaigning for a Sikh place of origin.
Nijjar used to be reportedly desirous about staging referendums for Sikhs in Canada, to show their backup for Khalistan.
Pristine Delhi accused him of sponsoring assaults and killings again in Republic of India.
Information outlet Republic of India As of late mentioned Nijjar have been accused of involvement in a 2007 bombing that killed six crowd and injured 42 others within the town of Ludhiana in Punjab.
Republic of India designated him a “terrorist”, and presented a praise of INR1 million ($12,000) for info to his arrest.
Pristine Delhi has steadily complained to international governments, together with Canada, in regards to the actions of Sikh hardliners within the diaspora. It claims they’re looking to revive the insurgency in Punjab.
Canadian Top Minister Justin Trudeau visited Punjab in 2018, the place the shape’s leading minister demanded motion towards Nijjar and 8 alternative Sikh separatist leaders.
The Global Sikh Organisation of Canada mentioned he have been warned by means of Ottawa’s undercover agent company about warnings towards him.
Individuals of Canada’s Sikh people accused Republic of India of sporting out the killing.
In September 2023, Trudeau instructed parliament his govt had “credible allegations” linking Indian brokers to Nijjar’s homicide.
Each nations have traded barbs since nearest, culminating with the expulsions Monday of every alternative’s ambassadors and 5 alternative manage diplomats in each nations.
