I was surrounded, threatened: Canadian journalist alleges assault by Khalistanis
An independent Canadian journalist has alleged that he was physically assaulted and threatened by a group of pro-Khalistan activists while reporting on a rally in Vancouver on Sunday. The journalist, Mocha Bezirgan, said he was targeted for his editorial independence and previous coverage of Khalistan-related protests.The incident occurred while Bezirgan was in the city to cover a rally organised by pro-Khalistan supporters. He alleged that the attackers acted like 'thugs' and deliberately targeted him.advertisement"It just happened 2 hours ago and I am still shaking. I was surrounded by multiple Khalistanis who acted like thugs. They surrounded me, threatened me, and got physical with me, and they grabbed my phone out of my hand," Bezirgan said, sharing the ordeal on X.#WATCH | Vancouver, Canada: On being physically assaulted by Khalistanis in Vancouver, Canadian Investigative Journalist Mocha Bezirgan, says "It just happened 2 hours ago and I am still shaking. I was surrounded by multiple Khalistanis who acted like thugs. They surrounded me, pic.twitter.com/QrMWSPbjBw— ANI (@ANI) June 8, 2025
The journalist alleged that he was attacked by an individual who had been harassing him for a "long time online using dehumanising language"."I have been covering Khalistan protests in Canada, UK, US, New Zealand. My only goal is to do independent journalism and record and report what's going on and because I'm editorially independent, this frustrates some people," Bezirgan added.advertisementHe further alleged that the pro-Khlistani groups want to "influence" and "buy" him.'What's up now bro!?'Here's the view from my main camera of two Khalistani thugs blocking my exit as I try to get away from a serial harasser who can't keep his distance from me.These intimidation tactics won't stop me or influence my editorial independence. pic.twitter.com/jXU1uTZDmV— Mocha Bezirgan (@BezirganMocha) June 8, 2025"These intimidation tactics won't stop me or influence my editorial independence," Bezirgan asserted, sharing a video of the alleged incident, which shows a man confronting the journalist."He refused to keep his distance from my face and began making threats of violence if I were to touch him. I kept walking away from him but his harassing behaviour wouldn't stop... He continued following me around, mobilising others to interfere with my job, and kept appearing behind me despite being told to stay away from me," Bezirgan explained.He said the alleged attacker had targeted him earlier as well, and that he had filed a police report at the time. He added that he has filed another report today.India has repeatedly raised concerns over Canada allegedly giving a free hand to Khalistani extremists and their supporters. Bilateral relations between the two countries have hit a new low in recent times, largely due to Ottawa's perceived inaction on the issue and its accusations against New Delhi of targeting pro-Khalistani elements in Canada.
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