VANCOUVER, Canada: Canadian Activist in Khalistan Movement Warned of Potential Threats from Indian Government
Vancouver, October 2023 – Canadian authorities have issued a warning to Gurmeet Singh Toor, a close associate of the late Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, alerting him to the possibility that the Indian government may have him in its sights due to his involvement in Khalistan activism. This caution comes in the aftermath of the tragic assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 of this year.
Gurmeet Singh Toor revealed that Canadian intelligence officers visited him in August, following the assassination of the pro-Khalistan activist Nijjar, providing him with written information that a foreign government, India, had expressed an interest in his life. Toor was advised to exercise caution, minimize his public appearances, and reduce his activism.
Toor highlighted that Nijjar’s assassination has only fueled greater interest in the Khalistan Referendum and the Sikhs For Justice movement, rather than dampening the momentum of the campaign. These remarks came just a day before the Khalistan Referendum voting set to attract tens of thousands of Canadian Sikhs at Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara on October 29.
Following the tragic loss of Nijjar, Gurmeet Singh Toor actively joined the Sikh For Justice (SFJ) campaign for a Khalistan Referendum in British Columbia. Nijjar, a prominent leader who headed the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara and coordinated the Khalistan Referendum campaign in Canada, was reportedly assassinated by Indian agents, an act attributed to Indian diplomats based in Vancouver and Toronto, as per Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s statement.
In discussions with the media, Toor, a senior member of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara’s management committee, emphasized the importance of seeking justice for Nijjar. Contrary to initial expectations that Nijjar’s assassination might weaken the Khalistan movement, Toor pointed out that the movement has not waned but, rather, has gained significant strength and momentum.
Toor recounted being at Nijjar’s side when the attack took place and expressed his resolve, stating that Indian attempts at coercion, intimidation, or bullying would prove futile as the Sikh community consistently strives for the betterment of humanity.
Canadian law enforcement issued a warning letter to Toor during their visit to his home on August 24, 2023, expressing grave concerns about his safety due to the presence of Indian agents in Canada acting on behalf of the Indian state.
Notably, the Indian High Commission to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Kumar Verma, and another diplomat, Manish, were identified as key figures engaging assassins on their payroll, though Indian intelligence agencies did not provide evidence of Nijjar’s alleged involvement in anti-India activities.
Toor reaffirmed his commitment to Khalistan activism, stating, “Indian threats cannot scare us. India has taken countless Sikh lives, but we remain unafraid. More Sikhs are now involved in the Khalistan movement than ever before.”
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a significant figure in the Khalistan Referendum campaign in Canada, had close ties to Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a prominent Khalistani leader based in the U.S., who serves as the Counsel General of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), the organization leading the global Khalistan Referendum initiative.
In the year 2020, the Indian authorities officially labeled individuals such as Nijjar, Pannun, as well as Paramjeet Singh Pamma, among others, as individuals of concern. Notably, Nijjar also served as the President at the helm of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, a prominent place of worship in Canada, situated within the province of British Columbia.
The Khalistan Referendum voting initiative operates under the vigilant oversight of the independent Punjab Referendum Commission (PRC), which will eventually announce the outcomes following the conclusion of all phases. The voting process began on October 31, 2021, from London, UK, and has been held in several cities across the globe, including the UK, Switzerland, Italy, Australia, and Canada.
