Canadian MP urges Trudeau to collaborate with India, others to protect Hindus from rising Khalistani threat

An Indian-origin, Hindu member of the Canadian parliament on Thursday (Oct 17) called for Ottawa to recognise the threat Hindu-Canadians face at the hands of Khalistani extremism in the country. As ties between India and Canada sour amid the ongoing Khalistan-Nijjar row, Canadian MP Chandra Arya, in a video statement on X, urged the Justin Trudeau government to "collaborate with other affected countries to protect" its citizens.

Khalistanis and disruptive demonstrations

Arya shared that he has "heard concerns from Hindus across Canada regarding recent developments," and that as a "Hindu Member of Parliament" he too has "experienced these concerns first-hand".

He revealed that just last week to "safely participate" in a Hindu event in Canada's Edmonton, he had to seek protection from RCMP officers "as a group of Khalistani protesters staged a disruptive demonstration against me."

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Posting on the day Trudeau alleged India's interference in Canadian sovereignty, the Indian-origin MP stressed that "any actions or involvement by foreign state actors within Canada, in any form, are unacceptable" but that as Canadian citizens; they expect the government to protect them from threats like terrorism and extremism.

"In Canada, we have long recognised the serious problem of Khalistani violent extremism," he said.

"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…," said Arya.

Addressing the ongoing row between India and Canada over Khalistani extremism and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's claims of India's alleged involvement in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Arya stressed the need to "recognise the importance of eliminating cross-border threats posed by Khalistani extremism."

"Recent revelations and developments are impacting Canada and India's ability to collaborate on this issue. It is critical that we all recognise the importance of eliminating cross-border threats posed by Khalistani extremism and resume our efforts to address it effectively...," said Arya.

Also read | Canada-based Khalistani terrorists behind killing of Shaurya Chakra awardee teacher in India: NIA

Mistaken for weakness

Speaking to his fellow Hindu Canadians, Arya said that despite their contributions to Canada's progress, the community's low profile is "often mistaken for weakness by politicians," and that they must hold their leaders accountable.

"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," added the Hindu-Canadian MP.

(With inputs from agencies)