In the wake of allegations by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) that some Indian diplomats were involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist, Jagmeet Singh, leader of Canada’s New Democratic Party (NDP), has demanded a ban on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and sanctions against the implicated diplomats. Singh, known for his pro-Khalistan stance, expressed deep concern for the safety of Canadians and called for urgent action in a news conference in Ottawa.
Singh, who represents Burnaby South as a Member of Parliament, has previously served as a lawyer and human rights advocate, and as a Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) in Ontario. His website states that he is committed to fighting for social justice and equality. He called for an emergency meeting of the Public Security Committee to discuss further measures to ensure Canadian safety in light of these recent events.
“We demand that the Liberal government implement severe sanctions on Indian diplomats and banish the RSS, a violent, militant, terrorist organization from India, which is a group that operates here in Canada and in other countries as well,” Singh declared, as quoted by PTI. “The briefing confirmed what was shared publicly, that this is a very serious allegation. It confirmed some of the background of how we got here. Really what it highlighted is that we’ve got the Indian government, specifically the Modi government, that is engaged through diplomats in Canada, criminal elements that have then gone on to shoot at Canadian homes, to shoot at Canadian businesses, to kill Canadians. That is very serious,” he alleged.
Singh emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, highlighting the potential threat to Canadian safety. “As the RCMP mentioned, the briefing also mentioned, that there are deep concerns for Canadian safety, and that’s why I really believe it is our responsibility, if we believe in protecting our country, I love this country, we need to do everything possible to keep people safe and to keep our democracy safe,” he said. “That’s why I’m committed to the actions that I’ve laid out, additional steps to see what we can do to keep Canadians safe by having an emergency meeting of the Public Safety Committee as well as making sure that we take steps to ban this extremist organization, the RSS, that comes from India, as well as making sure that we impose these severe sanctions on Indian diplomats,” he stated.
When asked if he felt personally targeted, Singh responded: “It’s not about me. This is about the fact that Canadians are at serious threat and serious risk. What the RCMP described is something that should be really troubling. When these acts of violence happen, if someone’s shooting, if an organized member of crime is being hired or being engaged by a diplomat, which just sounds incredibly disturbing. If that’s happening, that threatens everyone that lives in that community, everyone that lives in that neighbourhood. When businesses are being shot at, anyone that lives nearby, anyone that’s walking nearby, this is a threat to all Canadians. And it should be taken with the utmost seriousness,” he said.
Singh urged for collective action from Canada and its allies to hold the Indian government accountable. “We need to work with our allies to put pressure on India. We need to work with the United States. There’s similar scenarios that have played out in the United Kingdom. So, it’s clear that we need to work with our allies to put pressure on India. But there’s got to be accountability. The Indian government has to be held to account. The Modi government has to be held to account. We all need to be unified as Canadian leaders. All of us have to be united in denouncing Modi and making sure we protect Canadians and put their safety first and foremost,” he asserted.
Singh’s call for a ban on the RSS and sanctions against Indian diplomats has heightened tensions between Canada and India. The allegations have sparked a diplomatic row, with India summoning Canada’s high commissioner in New Delhi to express its strong protest against the accusations. This situation is likely to further strain relations between the two countries, with implications for trade and security cooperation. The situation underscores the complexities of navigating international relations in the context of accusations of foreign interference.