Explosive controversy: India rejects claims of secret crackdown scheme on Khalistanis
In a fiery rebuttal, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday (Dec 10) vehemently denied allegations of orchestrating a “sophisticated crackdown scheme” against Khalistani separatists in North America. This denial comes amidst the swirling controversy following the assassination of terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.
India’s Forceful Denial
The MEA issued an official statement calling the reports “fake and completely fabricated.” The ministry asserted that no such memo exists, framing the allegations as part of a “sustained disinformation campaign against India.” The ministry accused the media outlet, which first circulated these reports, of being a puppet of Pakistani intelligence, a claim bolstered by the authors’ reported connections.
India’s MEA Slams ‘Fabricated’ Reports on Khalistani Crackdown
Background of the Alleged Memo
The controversy ignited following a report by The Intercept, which claimed that India had issued a so-called “secret memo.” This document allegedly listed several Sikh dissidents under the watch of India’s intelligence agencies, including Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
The Assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot dead in Surrey, a Punjabi-dominated city in Canada’s British Columbia province, in June 2023. Nijjar, a native of Harsinghpur in Jalandhar, Punjab, had been linked to the banned ‘Sikhs for Justice’ organization and accused of terror activities. His assassination became a diplomatic flashpoint, straining India-Canada relations.
India-Canada Diplomatic Tensions
The killing of Nijjar saw Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleging “credible” Indian involvement, a claim India dismissed as ‘absurd.’ This accusation led to a diplomatic tit-for-tat, with India expelling a Canadian diplomat and briefly suspending visa services for Canadian citizens. These moves marked a significant low point in India-Canada diplomatic ties.
The Ongoing Controversy
The Intercept’s report, coupled with Trudeau’s claims, has stoked a firestorm of speculation and diplomatic tension. India’s MEA statement serves as a forceful denial in a saga filled with intrigue, espionage claims, and international relations drama. The true nature of events remains shrouded in mystery, with the MEA staunchly defending India’s position in this high-stakes diplomatic controversy.