Canadian authorities are facing a growing challenge as pro-Khalistan extremists are enticing vulnerable Sikh youth from Punjab to immigrate to North America, offering sponsorship for visas while clandestinely advancing their separatist agenda within Canadian territory, according to sources reported by PTI.
Exploiting Sikh Youth for a Hidden Agenda
The sources revealed that individuals like Hardeep Singh Nijjar, whose killing sparked a diplomatic row between India and Canada, along with Moninder Singh Bual, Parminder Pangli, and Bhagat Singh Brar, have been instrumental in recruiting Sikh youth to promote Khalistan’s cause in Canada.
These extremists have adopted a strategic approach, sponsoring visas for young Punjabis and guiding them into medium-skilled positions such as plumbers, truck drivers, or religious roles in gurdwaras (Sikh temples) under their control, such as ‘Sewadars,’ ‘Pathis,’ and ‘Ragis.’
“Pro-Khalistan extremists sponsor visas of such Punjabi youth and visits to Canada in lieu of exploiting them for doing pro-Khalistan activities in Canada like participating in anti-India protests and conducting radical-religious congregations,” the sources told PTI.
Exploitation of Vulnerable Individuals
Many Indian youth and students in Canada who struggle financially have become easy prey for these extremists. They offer shelter, low-paying jobs, and support using gurdwara resources. Those in dire straits become indebted to their sponsors and are subsequently drawn into the pro-Khalistan movement in Canada.
“When ISI-backed Khalistani group ‘Sikhs For Justice’ was finding it difficult to get support for its anti-India campaign ‘Punjab Independence Referendum,’ Nijjar and his friends used these ‘foot soldiers’ to give the impression that their campaign was successful,” the sources revealed.
A Network of Influence
These pro-Khalistan extremists now control over 30 gurdwaras in cities like Surrey, Brampton, and Edmonton, providing them with a vast network of influence and recruitment potential.
Nijjar, Bual, and Brar have allegedly formed an “unholy nexus” with gangsters in Punjab, facilitating their relocation to Canada in exchange for the use of their operatives in Punjab for potential terror attacks.
Exploiting Asylum Loopholes
Additionally, some pro-Khalistan political parties in India reportedly charged young individuals one to two lakh rupees for providing a ‘letter’ claiming persecution in India on religious grounds. This letter was then used to seek political asylum in Canada, further fueling the pro-Khalistan cause.
Human Trafficking Under the Radar
Despite its sensitivity to human trafficking, the “human trafficking” channel run by pro-Khalistan extremists appears to remain undisrupted within Canada, raising concerns about the effectiveness of Canadian agencies in addressing this issue.
Diplomatic Tensions
The dispute between India and Canada escalated when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of possible involvement in Nijjar’s killing in June. India vehemently denied these claims, labeling them as “unfounded” and “driven by ulterior motives.” The diplomatic rift led to the expulsion of officials from both countries.
In summary: Pro-Khalistan extremists exploit vulnerable Sikh youth by sponsoring their visas and then coercing them into advancing their separatist agenda within Canada. This issue has raised concerns about Canada’s ability to combat human trafficking and its impact on diplomatic relations between India and Canada.
