Satinder Pal Singh Raju, a key figure in the recent Khalistan Referendum movement, has been the target of multiple shooting incidents. The latest attack occurred on August 11th when Raju was driving a pickup truck on a California highway. According to reports, Raju, a close associate of slain separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was targeted with gunfire while traveling through Woodland, California.
Raju, known for his involvement in the Khalistan Referendum campaign, played a significant role in organizing the referendum in Surrey, British Columbia, and Calgary, Alberta. He was described as an “active organizer” of the referendum by Gurpatwant Pannun, general counsel for the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a group advocating for an independent Khalistan.
The shooting incidents have heightened tensions between India and Canada. India has accused Canada of harboring separatist elements and of interfering in its internal affairs. Canada, in turn, has accused India of being involved in the assassination of Nijjar, a claim India has vehemently denied.
In another incident, on August 10th, the residence of Raghbir Nijjar, former president of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurudwara, was fired upon in Surrey, British Columbia. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are investigating the shooting, which they believe may be linked to a series of extortion-related shootings targeting Indo-Canadian businesses and individuals over the past year.
Raghbir Nijjar, who is from the same village as Hardeep Nijjar and is believed to be related to him, is seeking to become the president of the gurdwara again. The ongoing conflict has strained relations between the two countries, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleging a possible link between Indian agents and the killing of Nijjar. India has dismissed Trudeau’s allegations as “absurd” and “motivated.”
The recent incidents have raised concerns about the safety of Indo-Canadians and the potential for further escalation of the conflict. While the motive behind the shootings remains unclear, the incidents have added another layer of complexity to the already tense relationship between India and Canada.
