Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Canadian Sikh separatist (1977–2023)
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Key Takeaways
- Hardeep Singh Nijjar (11 October 1977 – 18 June 2023) was a Canadian Sikh involved with the Khalistan movement.
- Born in India, Nijjar emigrated to Canada in the mid-1990s.
- Nijjar and his supporters rejected these allegations, saying he advocated peaceful means for creation of Khalistan.
- Nijjar gained prominence in 2019, when he became the leader of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurudwara in Surrey, British Columbia, and became an advocate of Sikh separatism.
- On 18 September 2023, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that Canadian intelligence agencies were "pursuing credible allegations of a potential link" between Indian government agents and the assassination of Nijjar.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar (11 October 1977 – 18 June 2023) was a Canadian Sikh involved with the Khalistan movement. He was a prominent member of the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and spearheaded the group's Khalistan Referendum campaign.
Born in India, Nijjar emigrated to Canada in the mid-1990s. The Indian government accused him of being a criminal and terrorist affiliated with the militant Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), and sought his arrest. Nijjar and his supporters rejected these allegations, saying he advocated peaceful means for creation of Khalistan. In 2016, Nijjar was placed on Canada's No Fly List and had his personal bank accounts frozen following allegations of his involvement in "terror training camps". Nijjar gained prominence in 2019, when he became the leader of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurudwara in Surrey, British Columbia, and became an advocate of Sikh separatism.
On 18 June 2023, Nijjar was shot and killed in the parking lot of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurudwara. On 18 September 2023, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that Canadian intelligence agencies were "pursuing credible allegations of a potential link" between Indian government agents and the assassination of Nijjar. After the killing, Canada expelled an Indian diplomat from the country. India's foreign ministry denied involvement in the killing, and expelled a top Canadian diplomat as a retaliatory measure. These measures sparked an ongoing diplomatic row.
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