BEIJING: In recent days, a significant diplomatic incident between India and Canada has highlighted the global consequences of the Hindu extreme nationalism promoted by the Modi government, according to Cheng Xizhong, a Visiting Professor at Southwest University of Political Science and Law.
Professor Cheng noted that this ideology, emanating from India, has extended its impact beyond India’s borders, reaching North America.
Professor Cheng warned that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration continues to suppress minority religions and ethnic groups, including Muslims, Kashmiris, and Sikhs, it could lead not only to increased domestic unrest in India but also have far-reaching consequences that affect the entire world.
He also highlighted the historical context of Sikh separatism in response to extreme Hinduism in India. Sikhs, facing severe oppression, once aspired to establish their nation, “Khalistan.” This movement gained momentum in the 1960s to 1980s but was violently suppressed by Indian security forces. Some leaders and supporters of the Sikh separatist movement sought refuge in Western countries, where they have regained influence.
Recently, more than 42,000 Canadian Sikhs gathered at the Khalistan Referendum voting center in Malton, Ontario, following the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent pro-Khalistan leader in Canada, according to Professor Cheng.
He further observed that the Modi government has been actively promoting extreme Hindu nationalism, which venerates only Hinduism, leading to a resurgence of separatism that had been suppressed.
This has presented a significant challenge for Narendra Modi’s administration, prompting strong measures, such as the complete blocking of mobile internet across Punjab in April of this year to apprehend a Sikh separatist leader.
Professor Cheng concluded that the recent diplomatic incident between India and Canada suggests that the Modi government’s efforts to suppress minority religions and ethnic groups are not confined to domestic actions but are expanding their scope to overseas territories. —APP
