Canadian MP Chandra Arya Condemns Khalistani Extremism, Asks Trudeau Govt To Reassure Hindus

Canadian MP Chandra Arya condemns Khalistani extremism and Hinduphobia in Canada, calling for a response from politicians and officials.

Canadian Member of Parliament, Chandra Arya, condemned the rise of Khalistani extremism in Canada and said that he is yet to hear any politician or government official offering reassurance to Hindus regarding rising Hinduphobia in the North American country. 

In a video message, Arya, a Member of Parliament from Nepean in the House of Commons, said that he could only participate in a Hindu event in Edmonton under police protection as a group of Khalistani protesters staged a disruptive demonstration against him.

"I have heard concerns from Hindus across Canada regarding recent developments. As a Hindu member of parliament, I too have experienced these concerns. First time last week I could safely participate in a Hindu event in Edmonton only under the protection of RCMP officers. As a group of Khalistani protesters staged a disruptive demonstration against me in Canada, we have long recognized the serious problems of Khalistani violent extremism," Arya, a member of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal Party, said.

He stressed that any interference of foreign states in Canada's internal matters is "unacceptable" and called the rise of Khalistani extremism a "Canadian problem" that has to be addressed. "Let me be clear, any actions or involvement by foreign state actors within Canada in any form are unacceptable. As Canadians, we do not wish for Canada to interfere in the domestic affairs of other countries. Likewise, we do not want foreign governments interfering in Canada's domestic matters, including those involving Khalistani extremism. This is a Canadian problem and it is the duty of all levels of our government and our law enforcement agencies to address it," he said.

Arya noted that Canadian Hindus expect their federal government and its agencies to collaborate with other affected countries to protect their citizens from threats like terrorism and extremism. "We know that extremism and terrorism don't recognise and are not limited to national borders. On Canadian Khalistani violent extremism, as Canadians, we expect our federal government and its agencies to collaborate with other affected countries to protect our citizens," he said.

Recalling Monday's press conference, Arya said that the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) assistant Commissioner Brigitte Gawain has confirmed that the national task force is focused on investigating Khalistani violent extremism among other threats. "There’s a violent, extremist threat in Canada that Canada and India have been working on over the years," Arya quoted Gawain as saying.

He further said that recent developments have significantly impacted Canada and India's ability to collaborate on the issue of Khalistan and stressed that it is critical to "recognise the importance of eliminating cross-border threats posed by Khalistani extremism."

Arya also recalled Andrew Coyne's piece in the Global Mail on September 22 of 2023 about the glorification of Canadian politicians attending rallies where terrorists and said, "Unfortunately, I have yet to hear any politician or government official offer reassurance to Hindu Canadians, many of whom feel concerned and fearful for their safety in the light of recent events."

"To my fellow Hindu Canadians, we are one of the most educated and trusted communities in this country, contributing greatly to Canada's progress. At our low profile, he is often mistaken for weakness by politicians. I pledge to do my best to advocate on your behalf. However, my efforts alone are not enough. The only way to have our concerns addressed is for Hindu Canadians to raise their voices and hold all politicians accountable. Together, we must ensure that our safety and interests are protected," he added.

India-Canada Ties

The ties between India and Canada soured after Trudeau alleged in the Canadian Parliament last year that he has "credible allegations" of India's hand in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has denied all the allegations, calling them "absurd" and "motivated" and has accused Canada of giving space to extremist and anti-India elements in their country.

Nijjar, who was designated a terrorist by India's National Investigation Agency in 2020, was shot and killed outside a Gurdwara in Surrey in June last year.

The recent diplomatic row erupted when Canada labelled India's High Commissioner and other diplomats as "persons of interest" in the investigation of Nijjar's death.

India on Monday expelled six Canadian diplomats hours after it summoned Canada's Charge d'Affaires Stewart Wheeler and conveyed that the "baseless targeting" of the Indian High Commissioner and other diplomats and officials in Canada was completely unacceptable.

The Ministry of External Affairs said earlier that it was underlined to Canada's Charge d'Affaires that in an atmosphere of extremism and violence, the Trudeau Government's actions endangered their safety and the government had decided to withdraw India's High Commissioner to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma and other targeted diplomats and officials.

The Indian government conveyed that India reserves the right to take further steps in response to the "Trudeau Government's support for extremism, violence and separatism against India".