Current Events
Falsely Accused Of Terrorism:
India’s Lame Attempt To Silence A Human Rights Activist
THE CANADIAN PRESS
A man accused in a media report emanating from the Indian press, of training ‘Sikh terrorists’ at a training camp in British Columbia has written to Canada’s Prime Minister asking for help to clear his name.
‘The Times of India’ - an Indian newspaper notorious for being a willing mouth-piece for the Indian government - reports that Indian ‘intelligence agencies’ have alerted the Liberal government that pro-Khalistan extremists near Mission, British Columbia, plan to carry out strikes in Punjab. No evidence has been offered or claimed by any Indian authority.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, of Surrey, confirmed to The Canadian Press that he sent a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, which asks the federal government to dispel "fabricated, baseless, fictitious and politically motivated" allegations against him.
"I have never believed in, supported or been involved with any violent activity," he wrote.
'A BAD BOLLYWOOD MOVIE PLOT'
The letter said Hardeep's work campaigning against anti-Sikh violence in Punjab has made him a target of the Indian government and led to authorities placing his name on Interpol's wanted list.
He said the Indian government has previously accused him of transporting ammunition through paragliding, an allegation that he described as "absolutely preposterous" and "more like a bad Bollywood movie plot."
The letter said that Hardeep is a Canadian citizen who operates a small plumbing business to support his wife, two children and parents, and that he has spent years collecting signatures for a complaint to the UN Human Rights Council on anti-Sikh violence in India.
"Prime Minister Trudeau, my Sikh nationalist activities are peaceful, democratic and protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms," the letter said.
When reached by The Canadian Press, Hardeep declined to comment on the allegations made against him in Indian media, referring all questions to his lawyer in New York.
FALSELY ACCUSED
His lawyer could not be reached but in a statement released by ‘Sikhs for Justice’, his legal counsel said Hardeep has been falsely accused.
"Indian authorities often label Sikh activists as terrorists, who are simply trying to raise awareness in Canada about human rights violations being committed against Sikhs in the Punjab," Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said in the statement.
A spokesman for the Prime Minister's Office declined comment on the letter, saying the office had not yet had time to review it.
Canadian authorities have remained tight-lipped about the reported allegations.
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said Monday that he doesn't comment on specific security allegations, and if there is information that needs to be acted on, Canadian police and security agencies respond.
B.C. RCMP spokesman Rob Vermeulen said Monday that the Mounties are aware of the media report, but would not comment on specific allegations, threats or ongoing investigations.
[Courtesy: The Canadian Press. Edited for sikhchic.com]
June 2, 2016
Conversation about this article
1: Tony Singh (Canada), June 02, 2016, 11:19 PM.
We should pity the Indian establishment more than be angry with their relentless attacks on the Sikh community. The anti-Sikh elements in the Indian establishment must have an extreme fear of the power of the Sikhs in Canada to be so fixated on trying to malign such a successful community.