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Canada News.Net
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Canada News.Net
"Canadian politicians must distance themselves from extremists": Journalist Mocha Bezirgan alleges assault by Khalistanis at Vancouver rally
Vancouver [Canada], June 8 (ANI): An independant Canadian investigative journalist on Sunday alleged that he was physically assaulted and 'threatened' by a group of Khalistan supporters and had his phone snatched while reporting their rally in Vancouver. The journalist, Mocha Bezirgan, who posted his ordeal on social media platform X said that the Khalistani extremist movement in Canada has raised serious security concerns and strained ties between India and Canada. 'It just happened two hours ago and I'm still shaking,' Bezirgan told ANI in a phone interview. 'They acted like thugs - crowding in on me, grabbing my phone, trying to stop me recording.' The incident occurred while Bezirgan was in Vancouver city to cover a rally organised by Khalistan supporters. The Canadian journalist described the attack as 'thuggery' and said he was targeted for his editorial independence and past coverage of Khalistan-related protests. Earlier he took to X to post, 'I've been surrounded by a group of Khalistanis who grabbed my phone out of my hand and threatened me. Naturally I'm a bit shaken, but not deterred.' Bezirgan further said that the pro-Khalistan movement has led to acts of vandalism, intimidation, and violent rhetoric, despite not being widespread within the Sikh community. On being asked about Khalistani extremism, the Canadian investigative journalist said, 'This is a movement headed by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). They are the ones organising it, and most of the time, it's the same people attending these protests, whether it be in Ontario, British Columbia, US, UK, New Zealand. They mobilise people to come from local Gurudwaras to create a little bit of crowd, but there are bigger political organizations like the World Sikh Organization which is based in Canada and they are they have a troubled history and they do the political cover in Canada. He highlighted that larger political organizations such as the World Sikh Organization, based in Canada, provide political cover for the movement. 'Their executives include current and former MPs and ministers, who have spread influence across Canadian institutions,' said the Canadian journalist. Bezirgan also expressed concern over the reluctance of Canadian politicians to condemn these extremist groups. 'Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, the NDP, and some Liberal MPs recently attended a Nagar Kirtan in Surrey, BC, which had significant Khalistani influence. They shared the stage with Santokh Singh Kelha, a convicted Sikh Canadian who conspired to bomb an airplane,' Bezirgan said. Bezirgan condemned the glorification of violence by these groups, who the journalist said speak openly about plans to ambush and kill India's current Prime Minister Narendra Modi. '...Because of the tensions between Canada and India, it's a very highly political subject, but I feel like we are disregarding what's happening underground. What these people are saying, how they are exercising their free speech while they are celebrating the assassins of Indira Gandhi and saying that they are going to ambush and kill India's Prime Minister, Modi's politics at the G7. I asked them Are you going to kill his politics the same way you killed Indira Gandhi's politics? Because they refer to the assassins as their forefathers. They say we are the descendants of the killers of Indira Gandhi, and they are glorifying these acts of violence...' 'It is disturbing that Canadian politicians continue to associate with such extremists, despite their violent history and inflammatory rhetoric,' Bezirgan said. He warned that lack of media coverage and public awareness in Canada allows such events and political participation to go unchecked. Bezirgan called for greater accountability and awareness to prevent normalization of extremism. 'As a citizen, I expect my representatives to distance themselves from extremists and those with violent pasts.' The investigative journalist emphasized that ignoring these issues would embolden extremist groups and escalate tensions between India and Canada. 'Today's thuggery I was subjected to was not the first time,' said the journalist who posted visuals on his social media platform X about an event from March 2024 when 'Khalistan supporters, armed with daggers, swords, and spears, gathered in Edmonton, Alberta to protest against India's high commissioner to Canada.' Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed on June 6 that he will represent India at the upcoming G-7 summit in Canada next week, after he was invited by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during a telephone call. (ANI)
Canada News.Net
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Canada News.Net
India-Canada ties will improve as Carney invited PM Modi to G7 Summit: Canadian journalist
Vancouver [Canada], June 8 (ANI): Canadian investigative journalist Mocha Bezirgan who documents Khalistani demonstrations across Canada, US, Britain and New Zealand on Sunday said that those linked to the separatist movement are 'putting a lot of pressure' on the new Prime Minister Mark Carney to resincd his invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the upcoming G7 Summit. Despite ongoing tension between the two countries on the issue of extremism, Bezirgan said he expects warmer ties henceforth as Carney has invited Prime Minister Modi for the G7 Summit. 'Well, I feel it [the relations between both the countries] will improve. I mean, it's a big step that Prime Minister Carney invited Prime Minister Modi to Canada to G7. And we'll see how that goes, because there's lots of pressure building on Prime Minister Carney right now from Khalistani elements, from World Sikh Organization, that he should cancel the invitation,' he said in a conversation over phone with ANI. Bezirgan said that this is an interesting time because the dates of G7 almost coincide with Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing, the Golden Temple incident, and Air India bombings. 'It's a big step that PM Carney invited PM Modi to Canada to attend G7 Summit and we'll see how that goes because there's lots of pressure building on PM Carney right now from Khalistani elements and from World Sikh Organization that he should cancel the invitation. Even if he doesn't cancel the invitation, we will see how the meeting actually goes. We need to wait and see, but one thing is certain, Khalistani elements will be protesting and it's going to be a very interesting time in Alberta where the G7 is taking is going to be where the whole world will focus because the date of the G7 Summit coincides with Hardeep Singh Nijjar's assassination date by one day. I don't think there has ever been a time this risky...' The Canadian journalist alleged that Khalistani extremist movement is headed by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). 'They are the ones organising it, and most of the time, it's the same people attending these protests, whether it be in Ontario, British Columbia, US, UK, New Zealand. They mobilise people to come from local Gurudwaras to create a little bit of crowd, but there are bigger political organizations like the World Sikh Organization which is based in Canada and they are they have a troubled history and they do the political cover in Canada. Because of the tensions between Canada and India, it's a very highly political subject, but I feel like we are disregarding what's happening underground.' 'What these people are saying, how they are exercising their free speech while they are celebrating the assassins of Indira Gandhi and saying that they are going to ambush and kill Indian Prime Minister Modi's politics at the G7. I asked them are you going to kill his politics the same way you killed Indira Gandhi's politics? Because they refer to the assassins as their forefathers. They say we are the descendants of the killers of Indira Gandhi, and they are glorifying these acts of violence...'Bezirgan said. Earlier today the Canadian journalist alleged he was assaulted by a group of Khalistani supporters at a rally in Vancouver. Detailing the incident, Bezirgan said, '...One individual came up to me and started asking me questions. He was very close to my face... Then, all of a sudden, I had 2-3 people surrounding me with the same physical closeness, like I had nowhere to go. I was recording secretly from my main camera because I felt that something physical was about to happen. I started recording from my phone as well. As soon as I started recording, they turned their faces away, but this one individual kept walking towards me, and then eventually he grabbed my phone out of my hand for a moment. It stopped my recording, and when I turned back on, the police were engaging with him and telling him to stop his harassing behaviour...I have filed police reports about this specific individual before for his harassment, and him being allowed to walk free is a big disappointment. I think he should be deported back to the UK...I have more footage I'm about to upload on my channel. He continued following me throughout the followed me to the train station, and that's how I departed from the area...' 'It just happened two 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,' he said. 'This was done by an individual who has been harassing me for a long time online using dehumanising language against me. I have been covering Khalistan protests in Canada, UK, US, New 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. They want to influence me, they want to buy me. He is not even a Canadian citizen. He is from the UK. I was just there reporting on the event. Khalistanis gathered to honour their so-called martyrs, including the assassins of Indira Gandhi...' the Canadian journalist said. However, Bezirgan said despite what has happened with him, he is optimistic about the security that will be in place for G7 Summit. 'I feel that Canadian police institutions will take this event very seriously because after all, it's about Canada's reputation,' he said. Bezirgan said that it is not just about Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but leaders from all over the world. He added that all police forces are mobilized for the events and trainings are on. 'And we already have the military there at the events. We have military helicopters flying all over the place. It's a major mobilization of police resources. And this is not just about Modi, but we have many world leaders attending this event. So I feel like security will be top notch. Calgary police have been organizing convoy training for their officers throughout the weeks, local police are prepared. Lots of training going on. I feel that they will not let anyone get harmed,' he said. Bezirgan said that he hoped that the government upholds the law. 'Unfortunately, I guess I am too small for Carney government to care. And that's just the way it goes. You know, if I was maybe a mainstream media reporter, then many organizations could rally to my support and politicians may condemn the actions of this individual. But because I am independent, I am not controlled. I have my own editorial independence. Then, you know, they don't want to rally behind someone who also exposes liberal corruption, exposes conservative corruption. It's, I guess I'm too unpredictable. I guess I'm a wild card. But I don't expect any special treatment, I just expect the law to be upheld,' he said. Earlier in the day he had posted on his social media platform X on how he was physically assaulted and threatened by a group of Khalistani supporters at the Vancouver rally. 'I've been surrounded by a group of Khalistanis who grabbed my phone out of my hand and threatened me. Naturally I'm a bit shaken, but not deterred. Footage coming,' he said in a post on X. (ANI)
Global News
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Global News
‘There's no protection': Canadian Sikh leaders face threats, organization says
The World Sikh Organization says multiple Sikh leaders in Canada have received notice from the RCMP that their lives could be in imminent danger. But WSO spokesperson Balpreet Singh told The West Block's Mercedes Stephenson that the national police force shared few details about who was behind the threats — and little in terms of protection or assistance. 'What happens is that you're approached by law enforcement and they give you a piece of paper that says that your life is in imminent risk of being targeted, that you could be killed,' Singh said in an interview. 'They take that paper back and then they ask you, 'Well, where do you think this threat is coming from?' And it's really surreal to think that the police have approached you, and now they're asking you, 'Where do you think the threat is coming from?' You're not provided any real supports.' Story continues below advertisement Singh said some were told to change their routines and think about spending time away from their families and friends, but were otherwise 'left to (their) own devices.' 'It's really an odd situation where you just don't know where to go. And, you know, people that have had to leave their homes, have to leave their families. And there's no end to it,' Singh said. 'Someone approached the police six months after receiving one of these (warnings) and was told, well, there's no foreseeable end because this is a decades-long conflict. So we don't know when this threat will end.' Global News reported earlier this month the RCMP put former NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh under tight security in late 2023 after the national police force assessed the then-NDP leader's life was in imminent danger. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Singh and his family were protected by armed police, including at a hospital in December 2023 when Singh's wife was giving birth. His senior staff were also forced to incorporate more stringent security plans for their leader's public appearances. The new revelations come as Prime Minister Mark Carney has attempted to patch up relations with India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in an effort to diversify Canada's trade partnerships amid tumult with the Trump administration. Canada's relationship with India – the world's fifth largest economy – have been severely strained since former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly said there was 'credible' intelligence linking the Indian government to the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a B.C. Sikh leader and Khalistan activist, who was killed on Canadian soil in 2023. Story continues below advertisement The NDP's Singh received a top-secret briefing on the intelligence related to Nijjar's murder, and told reporters there was 'clear evidence' that the Indian government was involved — a claim Indian officials dismissed as 'absurd.' In the months that followed, Singh was to find himself targeted. Citing unnamed sources, Global reported on June 12 that information about Singh's movements, family and travel schedule were being closely watched by an agent suspected of ties to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, a transnational crime syndicate linked to murders, extortion and drug crimes. The Government of India has been accused of using Bishnoi gang members to commit violence in Canada. Sources said the agent in question has also allegedly been connected to activities directed by the Indian government. India has long accused Canada of not addressing Khalistani activists, some of whom New Delhi considers 'extremists,' living and working in Canada. The Khalistan movement agitates for an independent Sikh state in India's Punjab region. Responding to criticism over inviting Modi to the G7 Summit in Alberta last week, Carney noted that the Indian prime minister has been invited to every G7 since 2018 and called his bilateral meeting with Modi as a 'necessary first step' to rebuilding the relationship between Ottawa and New Delhi. 'I think the meeting today was important, but I would describe it as foundational… An agreement to provide the necessary foundations to begin to rebuild the relationship, based on mutual respect, sovereignty and trust,' Carney told reporters last week. Story continues below advertisement Carney said he and Modi had a 'frank, open exchange,' which included discussions of issues such as law enforcement and transnational repression. The recent federal inquiry into foreign interference named India as the second-most active player in that space, behind only the People's Republic of China. When asked how he would describe Carney's invitation to Modi to join world leaders in Alberta last week, Balpreet Singh with the WSO said 'the word that comes to mind is 'betrayal.'' 'We're not against dialogue, but it's got to be principled,' Singh said. 'But here it was a complete display of appeasement … India has still not acknowledged any role in foreign interference or transnational oppression in Canada.'
Hamilton Spectator
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Sikhs uneasy after Mark Carney meets with India's Narendra Modi at G7 summit
OTTAWA—Sikh groups say they remain 'uneasy' after Canada and India appeared to broker a détente on the sidelines of the G7 summit following nearly two years of strained relations. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Mark Carney and India's Narendra Modi took part in a bilateral meeting, where they agreed to name new high commissioners in their respective countries, reaffirmed the importance of Canada-India ties, and discussed how to deepen their trading relationship. But Balpreet Singh, a lawyer with the World Sikh Organization, told the Star any reset with India must be accompanied by public acknowledgments from the country about its role in an alleged campaign of violence on Canadian soil. 'Has anything really changed, practically speaking, on the ground? Have there been any commitments from India that they will co-operate with the ongoing investigations? Have there been any commitments with respect to, in the future, not targeting members of the Sikh community in Canada?' Singh said. Sikh leaders are accusing Prime Minister Mark Carney of putting economic interests ahead of According to the Canadian readout of the tête-à-tête, Carney raised in the meeting 'priorities on the G7 agenda, including transnational crime and repression, security, and the rules-based order.' Canadian officials say important progress was made, with the leaders agreeing their respective police agencies would begin co-operating. That means Canadian and Indian police agencies could exchange information related to the 2023 killing of a Sikh independence leader in Surrey, B.C., and potentially on a range of other cases Canada is investigating. The shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, outside a B.C. gurdwara led to a diplomatic row between Canada and India's Hindu nationalist government when, several months after the killing, then-prime minister Justin Trudeau revealed stunning allegations that there was credible evidence linking the incident to Indian government agents. Last fall, the RCMP also alleged that Indian diplomats and consular officials in Canada were connected to killings, violence and intimidation against Canadians, prompting both countries to expel top diplomats. At the time, Ottawa said its expulsions were related to the campaign of violence and said India failed to co-operate in the investigation. In news conferences following Tuesday's meeting, Carney did not directly answer questions about whether the Nijjar case had been raised with the Indian prime minister. On Thursday, he said he and Modi discussed 'law enforcement co-operation,' particularly as it related to transnational repression, which occurs when states target and intimidate critical voices outside their borders, but said he would 'never make it a policy to give a line-by-line transcript readout.' At the summit, Carney told reporters there was a 'judicial process' underway and that he could not speak openly about the matter. The prime minister has emphasized the rebuilding of the Canada-India relationship and the need to reinstate consular services to serve citizens and businesses with ties to both countries. As G7 host, we don't just invite who we like, we invite who matters, Martin Regg Cohn writes. Balpreet Singh said the prime minister should have also outlined how new consular staff will be vetted to ensure they don't have links to threatening activity. 'For us, that makes us feel very uneasy,' he said. Moninder Singh, a spokesperson for Sikh Federation Canada, said Carney's decision not to be unequivocal of what was conveyed in the meeting about certain cases is a problem. 'It doesn't help dispel the concerns that the Sikh community, or maybe Canadians, have in general. It just kind of adds to, 'Did they or didn't they?' and then we have to wait and see,' he said, adding that the 'wait-and-see game' puts more Sikhs at risk. The bilateral meeting took place a day before the two-year anniversary of Nijjar's death outside the Guru Nanak Sikh gurdwara, where Moninder Singh said several thousand people gathered Wednesday evening. He said discussions arose there about what exactly Carney and Modi agreed to behind closed doors. At the summit — in sharp contrast to Trudeau's tough talk last fall — Carney offered a warm welcome for Modi, greeting the Indian leader with a firm handshake at the gathering's official welcome. At the start of their meeting, Carney offered high praise for Modi in front of the cameras, saying that it is 'my great honour to have you here.' Carney told Modi his inclusion at every G7 summit since 2019 is 'a testament to the importance of your country, to your leadership and to the importance of the issues that we look to tackle together,' including on energy security, artificial intelligence and the fight against terrorism. On Wednesday, the Canadian Intelligence and Security Service released its 2024 public report, which said Canada 'must remain vigilant about continued foreign interference conducted by the government of India, not only within ethnic, religious and cultural communities but also in Canada's political system.' The report also noted that 'real and perceived Khalistani extremism,' which seeks to use violent means to form an independent Sikh state in India, was driving Indian foreign interference activities in Canada. It said Canada is also home to 'legitimate and peaceful campaigning' in support of that movement.
Global News
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Why B.C. wants a terror designation on gang with alleged Indian government ties
As B.C.'s Sikh community marks the two-year anniversary of gurdwara president Hardeep Singh Nijjar's murder, the alleged role of a high-profile Indian gang is being thrust into the spotlight. Four Indian nationals have been charged and are awaiting trial, but the masterminds behind the killing remain free — a fact that drew fury at a protest in Vancouver on Wednesday. 'India should not be able to operate with impunity by killing Canadians on Canadian soil,' Moninder Singh with the Sikh Federation Canada told Global News. 1:39 B.C. premier wants to see Indian gang operating in Canada listed as terrorist organization Just a day after Canada and India agreed to reestablish diplomatic ties as Prime Minister Mark Carney hosted his Indian counterpart Narenda Modi for the G7, Canada's spy agency released a report directly tying the Indian state to organized crime syndicates in Canada. Story continues below advertisement The Canadian Security Intelligence Service's annual report cites RCMP evidence linking Indian government agents to 'criminal networks to sow violent activity in South Asian communities in Canada.' It adds that India's alleged role in Nijjar's killing 'signals a significant escalation in India's repression efforts.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy National security experts point to the involvement of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. 'They have to find people to carry out these dirty deeds,' said Daniel Stanton, director of the National Security Program at the University of Ottawa's Professional Development Institute. Using gangsters, he added, allows the government 'a bit of deniability.' 'Through proxies, in this case the Bishnoy Gang, they created basically a crime wave across Canada, attributing it to a particular community,' he said. India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) describes the group as a criminal gang headed by Lawrence Bishnoi, whose lawyer says he contests more than 40 cases accusing him of crimes such as murder and extortion. 1:58 Canada's relationship with India under scrutiny Bishnoi himself, a law graduate from the Punjab, has been in prison for over a decade. The NIA alleges he runs his syndicate from jails in different states and internationally through a network of associates. Story continues below advertisement The World Sikh Organization says Bishnoi recently appeared in the Indian press 'declaring himself an Indian nationalist,' and that he also vowed to oppose Khalistan, the independent homeland in India's Punjab state sought by some Sikh activists, including Nijjar. Sources have told Global News the Bisnoi gang is believed to be linked to Nijjar's killing. The World Sikh Organization says the gang also took credit for the recent killing of a Mississauga, Ont., businessman who was resisting extortion attempts. 'We're looking at a real crisis here in Canada with businessmen across Canada being extorted by Indian gangs, and the issue really here is that these aren't just Indian gangs in isolation,' said Balpreet Singh with the World Sikh Organization. 2:04 Surrey business owner holds public safety forum amid extortion threats 'The problem here is that the head of this gang is in prison for the past 10 years. So it seems that this gang is being used by the government of India to once again orchestrate violence and terror here in Canada.' Story continues below advertisement On Tuesday, B.C. Premier David Eby called on the federal government to designate the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist organization. Sikh groups say that's a good start, but not enough. They want a public inquiry on India's transnational repression, for Canada to end any intelligence sharing with India, and consequences for anyone involved in international crime — no matter their position in government. 'The tentacles go all the way to the top,' said Balpreet Singh. 'So targeted sanctions against members of the government of India, who are known to be tied up with this gang.' — with files from Aaron McArthur, Global's Stewart Bell, Jeff Semple and Andrew Russel and Reuters
