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Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Signage promoting Republic of Khalistan goes up in Canada
Toronto: Even as a signage promoting the Republic of Khalistan went up in Canada this week, New Delhi has reiterated that Ottawa shouldn't allow its territory to be used for anti-India activity. The controversial signage on a structure at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia. (Supplied photo) The signage existed within the premises of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, but it emerged this week, after photos circulated on Monday. The sign also featured the image of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who birthed the violent separatist movement and was killed during Operation Bluestar in 1984, when Indian troops stormed the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Also shown is the former head of the gurdwara, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed in Surrey on June 18, 2023. His murder also triggered the cratering of ties between India and Canada after then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's statement in the House of Commons that there were 'credible allegations' of a potential link between Indian agents and the crime. In a statement to the Hindustan Times, India's High Commission in Ottawa stated, 'India has repeatedly urged the Canadian authorities to take action against anti-India elements, who threaten India's territorial integrity & sovereignty, operating from their soil.' While a reset between the Government of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and India is developing, there is the belief that separatist groups will escalate provocatory acts so as to undermine the potential rapprochement, a person familiar with the matter noted. The signage has also attracted criticism from the community. In a letter to the Premier of British Columbia David Eby, Maninder Singh Gill, CEO of the Surrey-based Radio India, pointed out that it was 'appalling that the community centre that was built y the grants of the Provincial Government has been converted into a 'Khalistan Embassy'.' 'The Provincial Government should demand accountability from the Gurdwara committee or any other recipient of the Government grant. Public funds belong to everyone, public spaces that are created with public money should be welcoming to all. The promotion of extremism should not be tolerated,' he concluded. He also wrote to the Canadian prime minister's office. The National Alliance of Indo-Canadians (NAIC) said it was 'concerned and condemns such reckless acts by fringe elements that hurt Indo-Canadians'. The signage came up as India and Canada re-engage and start the process of repairing the relationship by posting High Commissioners in each other's capitals within a matter of weeks.
Indian Express
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey shares document alleging Indira Gandhi govt took Britain's help to carry out Operation Blue Star
BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has shared a four-decade-old document alleging that the Congress government took the help of Britain to carry out Operation Blue Star, the 1984 military action by the Indian Army that aimed to remove Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and other militants from the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. Sharing a document on X, Dubey claimed that planning for the military operation began six months in advance. He alleged, 'In 1984, Indira Gandhi attacked the Golden Temple in collaboration with Britain. British army officers were present in Amritsar at that time. For Congress, Sikh community is just a toy. The agreement to finally give Kartarpur Sahib to Pakistan was signed by Sardar Swaran Singh in 1960.' 'Giani Zail Singh was made President during the 1984 attack on the Golden Temple and killing of innocent devotees. To hide the 1984 massacre of Sikhs and to save senior leaders HKL Bhagat, Jagdish Tytler, Sajjan Kumar, Manmohan Singh was made a puppet Prime Minister in 2004. The story of selling the country and surrendering to foreigners continues,' he added. What does the document say? Stamped 'TOP SECRET AND PERSONAL', the letter dated February 23, 1984, is titled 'Sikh Community' and is shown to be from B J P Fall, private secretary, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London SWIA 2AH. It was addressed to Hugh Taylor Esq, private secretary to the home secretary under the Home Office. It read: 'The Home Secretary will have seen press reports of communal violence in the Punjab. The Foreign Secretary wishes him to be made aware of some background which could increase the possibility of repercussions among the Sikh communities in this country.' Stating that the Indian authorities sought British advice over a plan to remove Sikh extremists from the Golden Temple, the letter said, 'The Foreign Secretary decided to respond favourably to the Indian request and, with the Prime Minister's agreement, an SAD officer has visited India and drawn up a plan which has been approved by Mrs Gandhi. The Foreign Secretary believes that the Indian Government may put the plan into operation shortly.' 1984 में स्वर्ण मंदिर पर इंदिरा गांधी जी ने आक्रमण ब्रिटेन के साथ मिलकर किया,ब्रिटेन की सेना के अधिकारी उस वक़्त अमृतसर में मौजूद थे कांग्रेस के लिए सिख समुदाय केवल खिलौना मात्र है 1. पाकिस्तान को अंततः 1960 में करतारपुर साहिब दिया समझौता सरदार स्वर्ण सिंह जी ने किया 2. स्वर्ण… — Dr Nishikant Dubey (@nishikant_dubey) July 7, 2025 Warning that such an operation by Indian authorities at the Golden Temple could worsen the communal violence in Punjab, the letter said, 'It might also, therefore, increase tension in the Indian community here, particularly if knowledge of the SAS involvement were to become public. We have impressed upon the Indians the need for security; knowledge of the SAS officer's visit and of his plan has been tightly held both in India and in London.' 'The Foreign Secretary would be grateful if the contents of this letter could be very strictly limited to those who need to consider the possible domestic implications. I am copying this letter to Robin Butler (No 10), Richard Mottram (MOD) and Richard Hatfield (Cabinet Office),' it concluded.
RNZ News
04-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
How the events of 1984 affected Indian Sikhs
Visitors at Golden Temple in Punjab, India, in 1984. Photo: Fire Fire RNZ unveiled a new documentary series titled 1984 on Monday that takes a closer look at the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India. The series comprises a one-hour main featurette and six individual episodes, tracing the journey of six members of the Indian Sikh community who immigrated to New Zealand to rebuild their lives after facing enormous tragedy. The series is made by Fire Fire, a film production company based in Whangamata, with support from NZ On Air. Tensions between the Indian government and the Sikh community existed before 1984, with the Sikhs demanding promised rights for the state of Punjab. After a 21-month state of emergency was lifted in India in 1977, unrest in Punjab continued due to political rivalries, religious violence and ongoing demands for the rights of Sikhs and the state. Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, 14th leader of orthodox Sikh religious institution Damdami Taksal, rose to become a powerful, polarising figure in the state during this time. On one hand, Bhindranwale became an inspiration for those who wanted greater rights for Punjab. But others, including the Indian government, considered Bhindranwale to be a militant Sikh separatist. A man bathes near the Golden Temple in India. Photo: Fire Fire In June 1984, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi devised a plan to flush out Bhindranwale and his supporters from the Golden Temple, where they had been living inside its compound for some time. Under the codename Operation Blue Star, the Indian Army stormed the holiest site of the Sikh religion. There was no separation between visitors at the temple and Bhindranwale's supporters. No one was permitted to leave. Many were killed. The temple suffered extensive damage as well. In October the same year, Gandhi was assassinated by her two Sikh bodyguards. The aftermath became what was known as the 1984 Sikh massacre, also called the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Government records show nearly 3000 Sikhs were killed in Delhi and beyond within days. Non-government sources put the figure closer to 4000. Tens of thousands more were displaced and housed in temporary shelters. After the 1984 incidents, Punjab witnessed a militant insurgency that saw a whole generation impacted for nearly a decade. Seeking a safe and peaceful life, many Sikhs have migrated to New Zealand at various points over the last 40 years. The documentary series details six such stories. Each episode engages with individuals who were directly affected, offering a first-hand portrayal of their experiences and discussing the repercussions the event has had on the Sikh community in India. After the 1984 incidents, many Sikhs have migrated to New Zealand at various points in the last 40 years. Photo: Supplied Megan Whelan, chief content officer of RNZ, said 1984 was the latest history series to be added to the state broadcaster's new video hub, following Farewell Guangdong that was released earlier this year . "1984 collects deeply personal stories from Sikh migrants who came to Aotearoa following the disturbing events in India that completely changed their lives," she said. Alex Bradshaw of production company Fire Fire said initial footage for the series was shot in Auckland in the second half of 2021, with the crew travelling to India the following year. "The principal photography was done in India - mainly in Delhi and Ludhiana in Punjab during April 2022. Then post-production went for almost three years before we were able to release the series on 30 June," said Bradshaw, producer of the series. "My interactions with New Zealand Sikhs started when we were making the series Giants , where we featured the community in one of the episodes. That's when I got to know about what happened in 1984 and its aftermath. "I am grateful the community opened up to us. Some of the stories individuals shared - they hadn't even with their families after so many years. "Like one [individual] decided to cut his hair to escape a mob . I remember [him] telling us he had started wearing his turban again and reclaiming his Sikh identity only recently." Growing hair and wearing a turban are among various articles of faith for male members of the Sikh religion. Karpal Singh, director of 1984 Photo: Supplied Karpal Singh, director of the series, highlights the story of an infant girl who was left in a bus station with her young brother . "The person who killed the elders in the family didn't have the heart to kill two children," Singh said. "He left them there at the mercy of our gurus. How she survived and made her life is a miracle." Acknowledging the events surrounding Operation Blue Star in 1984 and its aftermath are "super-sensitive", Singh said the production team made sure to cover every perspective. "This is the basic requirement of honest filmmaking," he said. "It was important for us to build a rapport with the victims and go deep down in the reasons for their views. "I am proud to say we have managed to navigate well such a complex and polarising issue." Singh, who is now based in Melbourne, said the series might be the last major project on the events of 1984 and its aftermath anywhere. "These events are an obvious black mark in Indian history, which needed documentation," he said. "But the series is also about hope: How people - even after suffering such tragedy - can still rebuild their lives." Bradshaw was pleased to have achieved the main goal of the project. "[At Fire Fire] we aim to bring minority voices in New Zealand to the mainstream," he said. "I think we were able to achieve that goal with RNZ's help." Singh was looking forward to the reaction from the community and the New Zealand public in general. "My only hope is for people who have suffered so much pain and suffering find some closure and peace in life - if that's even possible," Singh said. "It was a privilege and immense responsibility on us when the victims showed us their scars, metaphorically speaking. I hope these heal over time."
Deccan Herald
07-06-2025
- Deccan Herald
Punjab Police seeks details from Tinder about account suspected to be linked to Amritpal Singh
Amritpal, who heads the 'Waris Punjab De' outfit and has styled himself after slain Khalistani militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, was jailed along with nine of his associates under the NSA.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Operation Bluestar anniversary: Radical outfits raise pro-Khalistan slogans
Pro-Khalistan slogans were on Friday raised by supporters and activists of radical Sikh outfits at the Akal Takht , the supreme temporal seat of Sikhs, while a peaceful bandh was observed around the Golden Temple and interior walled city on the 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar. Dal Khalsa activists were seen holding placards bearing portraits of slain militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and also Khalistani flags . The entire periphery of the Golden Temple near the Akal Takht echoed with pro-Khalistan slogans. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like These Photos Captured the Exact Wrong Moment Read More Undo Pro-Khalistan slogans were raised by activists of outfits, including the Dal Khalsa, former MP Simranjit Singh Mann-led Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), his associate and former MP Dhian Singh Mand, at the Akal Takht. Operation Bluestar was a military operation carried out in 1984 to flush out militants from the Golden Temple. Live Events Officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, while reading 'ardas' (prayers as per Sikh rituals), said all Sikh outfits should unitedly apply untiring efforts for the release of ' Bandhi Singhs ' (Sikh prisoners). Bandi Singhs are those Sikh prisoners, who parties like Shiromani Akali Dal and other Sikh bodies claim, were in jails even after completion of their sentences. Harjinder Singh Dhami, who is president of the apex religious body of the Sikhs the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee ( SGPC ), honoured the family members of Sikh leaders, who were killed along with Bhindranwale in the Golden Temple complex during the Army action in June 1984. As per tradition, it was the Jathedar Akal Takht who every year honours the families of those who were killed in the army action, but this year it was done by the SGPC president. Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhumma had earlier opposed the recent appointment of Gargaj as officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht in violation of 'maryada' and 'panthic traditions'.
