Federal public safety officials and politicians say Indian Hindus are safe and welcome in Canada after a viral video by a pro-Khalistan group called on them to leave the country.
No politician or government agency highlighted the video by name. But the comments come after a video from Sikhs for Justice, a group advocating for a Sikh state independent of present-day India called Khalistan, began circulating on social media.
In the video, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the group’s general counsel and a New York-based lawyer, called on Hindus to “return to India,” accusing them of “working against the very country” from which they benefit economically.
The video has since been removed.
Dominic LeBlanc, Canada’s minister of public safety, democratic institutions and intergovernmental affairs, posted on social media that “the circulation of a hate video online targeting Hindu Canadians goes against the values we hold dear as Canadians.
“There is no place for acts of aggression, hatred, intimidation or inciting fear,” the minister wrote in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Historically, some Sikhs have been seeking an independent Sikh homeland in northern India called Khalistan. Experts say the movement’s history is complex, emotional and evolving.
The sentiment was echoed by NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and Public Safety Canada, who called the video “offensive and hateful.”
“Acts of aggression, hate, intimidation or fear-mongering have no place in this country and only serve to divide us,” the department said in a separate post on X.
“We urge all Canadians to respect each other and follow the rule of law. Canadians deserve to feel safe in their communities.”
India has previously labeled Pannun a terrorist, according to Indian media reports, and banned the group from the country. accusing him of supporting violent extremism.
Tense relationships
The comments come as tensions between India and Canada continue to rise. Indian Visa Processing Center in Canada suspended services and expelled a diplomatfollowing Canada’s lead after it alleged that New Delhi was involved in the assassination of Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.
India has denied those allegations, calling them “absurd” and “baseless.”
Nijjar, 45, was shot and killed in his truck on June 18 in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, located in Surrey, British Columbia. He had been very active with Sikhs for Justice.
The Indian government had previously offered a reward for Nijjar’s arrest, accusing the gurdwara president of leading a violent separatist movement for Khalistan.
It is an accusation that his followers deny.
In his own statement on
“Conservatives condemn these comments against our Hindu neighbors and friends. Hindus have made invaluable contributions to every part of our country and will always be welcome here,” he said.
Singh, who is also Sikh, said Hindus in Canada deserve to be here.
“Anyone who suggests otherwise does not reflect the values of inclusion, compassion and kindness that we hold as Canadians,” Singh said in X.
