OTTAWA: A documentary aired on Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) has revealed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was directly involved in planning the killings of Khalistan movement activists Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Gurpatwant Singh Pannun abroad, further straining diplomatic ties between Canada and India.
The hour-long investigative documentary, titled The Fifth Estate, presented strong evidence suggesting Modi’s direct involvement in planning the murders of Nijjar and Pannun. Exclusive footage aired in the documentary showed the chilling moment when Nijjar was assassinated by two Indian state agents outside Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023.
The documentary revealed that Modi’s orders for the killings have sparked a diplomatic row between Canada and India. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau openly accused the Indian government of ordering Nijjar’s assassination, a claim that has significantly strained bilateral relations.
According to the documentary, Pannun, a prominent pro-Khalistan activist, claimed that Modi, under the counsel of National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, personally sanctioned the assassination plots, involving India’s spy agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and its chief Samant Goel. Pannun asserted that the Indian state offered rewards for locating and eliminating both Nijjar and himself.
Furthermore, the documentary detailed the foiled assassination attempt on Pannun, which led to the arrest of Indian national Nikhil Gupta in the Czech Republic. Gupta was charged with conspiring to murder Pannun and is awaiting extradition to the United States.
Indian Govt’s Involvement in Sikh Activists’ Murder Plots
The indictment unsealed by the US Department of Justice exposed the intricate involvement of Indian intelligence officers in the murder-for-hire plot targeting Pannun. The documentary highlighted the severity of the threats faced by pro-Khalistan activists, highlighting the need for heightened security measures to safeguard their lives.
Moreover, the documentary featured interviews with Canadian Sikhs who have received “duty to warn” notices from Canadian police, indicating imminent threats to their lives from the Indian state. The testimonies highlighted the prevalent fear and intimidation tactics employed by Indian authorities to suppress dissent among Sikh communities.
Nijjar, a vocal advocate for Khalistan, served as the chief coordinator of the Khalistan Referendum campaign in Canada and was closely associated with Pannun. His assassination and the attempted murder of Pannun underscore the ongoing tensions between pro-Khalistan activists and the Indian government.
As the revelations from the documentary reverberate globally, questions arise about the accountability of Indian authorities and the implications for diplomatic relations between Canada and India. The documentary’s damning allegations against Modi’s government have sparked outrage and renewed scrutiny over India’s handling of dissenting voices within Sikh communities.
