Bathinda: Canada’s Khalistani-Hindu altercations from Brampton to Malton and Surrey have left many Indian residents and temporary visa holders, those from Punjab in particular, in fear for their safety, while their families back home are worried for them.
The conflict sparked by an attack on a Hindu Mahasabha temple in Brampton city of Canadian province Ontario’s Greater Toronto Area underscores divisions around the demand for Khalistan — a proposed independent Sikh homeland — and its impact on Canada’s multicultural communities. Many in Brampton and Surrey feel these clashes could strain the social cohesion among various Indian diaspora groups. Rohit Kumar, a Punjabi on a work permit in Brampton, said: "We are highly concerned about the situation. Incidents such as these only worsen the perception that we are creating unrest here, and that will cause more problems for us.”
Kulwinder Singh, who has been involved in peaceful protests for extending work permits, emphasised the potential long-term consequences of this violence on community relations. Calling for unity among communities, he said: “While we focus on securing our future in Canada, incidents like these could affect our ability to integrate.”
Back in Punjab, Amit Mittal, whose son lives in Surrey, requested the Canadian authorities to manage these conflicts carefully. “These events have ripple effects that impact the safety of our children abroad,” he said, also calling on the Indian govt to advocate for the protection of Punjabis living in Canada. The rising tensions highlight the delicate balance within Canada’s diverse immigrant communities and the need for careful intervention to prevent further discord.
These escalating tensions between pro-Khalistan supporters and opposition groups make Punjabi immigrants anxious to save their community’s reputation in Canada. For those struggling to extend their work permits, like Brampton store worker Jatinder Singh — whose permit expires in December — a dented image could be disastrous. He said: “These disruptive elements from Punjab and Haryana could fracture Canada’s social harmony and create unrest back home, where longstanding regional disputes remain unresolved.”
The rising tensions cast a shadow over months of peaceful protests by Punjabi and Haryanvi immigrants rallying for work permit extensions. The conflict intensified recently after certain Hindu nationalist groups voiced support for convicted gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, whose crimes include the murder of Shubhdeep Singh ‘Sidhu Moose Wala’, Mansa-based Punjabi rapper who was popular in Canada. Observers worry that this dispute on foreign soil could further complicate a fragile situation for immigrant communities in Canada.
The impact of these incidents is going deep down, as calls for “Sikh nation” countered anti-Khalistan slogans raised in a temple. Even though one of the gurdwara committees condemned the Diwali-time temple attack, another committee blamed the Indian state and said this was “Sikh nation” versus an “anti-Sikh mob of pro-India goons”.