THE K-FACTOR AND INDIA-CANADA DIPLOMATIC CHILL

O one really knows what struck Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Gurpatwant Singh Pannun—both born in Punjab—to become “wanted” in India. Nijjar is no more; he was shot dead in June last year at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Punjabi-dominated Surrey of British Columbia province in Canada. Pannun runs Sikhs for Justice (SJF) outfit and is based in the US and possesses American and Canadian citizenship.

- HARPREET BAJWA

The worst part about them is that they are the agent provocateur in bringing the India-Canadian relations to a nadir. So much so that in September last year Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau first publicly alleged India's role in Nijjar's killing, which New Delhi vehemently rejected. Trudeau runs a minority government with issue-based support from pro-Khalistani New Democratic Party. Trudeau virtually indicted the Indian government in Canadian Parliament for Nijjar's murder on September 18, 2023.

In June this year, Canada's House of Commons observed a 'moment of silence' for him. To date, the Canadian government has not produced a shred of evidence to substantiate its allegations despite India's repeated demands for proof.

What was Nijjar doing back home before he converted into a Canadian citizen and what did he have in common with Pannun before meeting his end? Read on: