Ottawa: Khalistani rallies in Canada have increasingly become a source of concern, with a report arguing that protests near Hindu temples and other public events are creating tensions and damaging the reputation of the wider Sikh community.
A report published by Khalsa Vox said the Khalistani extremist network’s dismissal of gang indictments and court charges as “irrelevant propaganda” does little to promote accountability. It also said Canadian Sikhs have every right to demand transparency and a fair investigation into the June 2023 killing of pro-Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar but should not have to tolerate fringe elements turning that demand into a recurring public nuisance.
The report referred to a recent protest outside the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey, where police intervened after the gathering turned disorderly. Several arrests were made, and the crowd was later dispersed.
It said protesters continued to demand justice for Nijjar while denying any links to criminal gangs. According to the report, such disruptions weaken the credibility of those involved and affect the image of the broader Sikh community.
Nijjar Murder Case and US Indictment
Nijjar was killed outside a gurdwara in Surrey in 2023. Four men are facing murder charges in Canadian courts in connection with the case.
Separately, a US federal indictment unsealed in 2026 as part of Operation Hard Ball alleges that Lawrence Bishnoi and his North American associate, Satinderjeet Singh, also known as Goldy Brar, ordered the assassination. The report also noted that the FBI had placed Brar on its Ten Most Wanted list, with a reward of $1 million.
Citing RCMP officials involved in the joint investigation, the report said investigators had found no evidence linking Indian government officials to the organised-crime charges.
It also referred to leaked audio in which Brar allegedly claimed responsibility for the killing and mentioned drug-related grievances. However, the audio has not been authenticated by Canadian authorities, the report said, while the formal US charges remain in place.
Protests Near Hindu Temples Raise Concerns
The report questioned the repeated targeting of Hindu temples and Indian consular events by protesters, arguing that such gatherings bring political tensions into neighbourhoods and places of worship.
It cited a similar confrontation outside the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in November 2024, when violence broke out during a consular camp for senior citizens and three people were arrested.
It also referred to court orders and buffer zones around temples in Surrey and other areas, saying these measures were introduced after previous gatherings linked to Sikhs for Justice and related groups allegedly involved intimidation, clashes and vandalism.
The report argued that protests at places of worship belonging to another faith do not advance the cause of Sikh sovereignty and risk painting ordinary members of the Sikh community with the same brush.
It added that demanding justice for Nijjar and seeking answers from authorities are legitimate concerns, but such demands should not be used to justify disruption or intimidation.