Three men, including Kamalpreet Singh, Karan Brar, and Karanpreet Singh, have been charged with the murder of Canadian Sikh separatist leader Singh Nijjar, who was shot and killed in his pickup truck after leaving a Sikh temple in Surrey, Alberta. The killing led to a diplomatic spat between Canada and India, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stating that there were credible allegations of Indian involvement. The suspects appeared in court for the first time, with Brar and Karanpreet agreeing to a trial in English. The case is expected to be combined into one and moved to the Supreme Court.
Nijjar, a Canadian citizen native of India, was a prominent activist in the Khalistan movement, which aims to create an independent Sikh homeland in India. He was known for organizing unofficial referendums around the world about Punjabi independence. While Sikh organizations hailed Nijjar as a human rights activist, the Indian government labeled him as a criminal with alleged links to terrorism. The tensions between India and Canada escalated after the killing, with India demanding the removal of 41 out of its 62 diplomats from the country. The accusations have strained relations between the two nations, although tensions have somewhat eased over time.
The Khalistan movement, which sought independence for Sikhs in India, was active during the 1970s and 1980s, culminating in a bloody insurgency that resulted in widespread violence and thousands of deaths. Despite being largely crushed by the Indian government, the movement still has supporters in the Indian state of Punjab and among the Sikh diaspora abroad. While the active insurgency has subsided, the Indian government has repeatedly warned of separatist activities attempting to regain momentum. The arrest of the three suspects in Nijjar’s killing has brought renewed attention to the ongoing tensions surrounding the Khalistan movement and its impact on relations between India and Canada.
Nijjar’s murder has reignited discussions about the Khalistan movement and the advocacy for an independent Sikh homeland in India. The case has sparked protests outside the courthouse, with protestors waving yellow flags and holding photos of Indian officials accused of involvement in the killing. The suspects, who were living in Canada as non-permanent residents, are facing charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. The court proceedings are ongoing, with the case set to be transferred to the Supreme Court for a combined trial.
The courtroom was filled with spectators during the suspects’ first court appearance, with an overflow room set up for those unable to fit inside. The defense lawyer representing one of the suspects stated that the case would eventually be moved to the Supreme Court and consolidated into one trial. The trial is scheduled to continue on May 21 at the British Columbia Provincial Court. The killing of Singh Nijjar and the subsequent arrests of the three suspects have brought international attention to the complex issues surrounding the Khalistan movement, the allegations of Indian involvement, and the impact on diplomatic relations between Canada and India.
