The leader of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) threatened to attack Indian diplomats and Hindu places of worship on November 16 and 17.

Pro-Khalistani supporter Gurpatwant Singh Pannun openly threatened to attack Hindu temples in Canada and India, announcing new dates that alarmed authorities.

In a video, the leader of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) threatened has attack Indian diplomats and Hindu places of worship on November 16 and 17, exacerbating tensions between pro-Khalistani elements and the Indian diaspora in Canada. He particularly threatened the Kalibari Mandir in Mississauga on November 16 and the Triveni Mandir in Brampton on November 17. The video was also allegedly recorded in Brampton, in addition to threatening to attack Indian diplomats whom he accused of spying on Canadian Sikhs.

Pannun’s statement also took aim at India’s religious and cultural symbols, saying: “We will shake the foundations of Ayodhya.” He called Ayodhya, India’s holy city, the birthplace of what he described as a “violent Hindutva ideology.” »

Series of Khaistani threats

This new threat comes amid several incidents of pro-Khalistani militants targeting Hindu temples in Canada. Last week, clashes broke out at a Hindu temple in Brampton when pro-Khalistani activists disrupted an event organized by the Indian consulate. A few days ago, the Laxmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey was attacked, raising alarms about the safety of Canada’s Hindu community.

Vandalism, hateful graffiti and physical attacks on Hindu temples in Canada have been reported very frequently over the past year and the latest shooting incident at the home of Satish Sharma, president of Surrey’s Lakshmi Narayan Mandir.

Indian government criticizes Canada

In response to Pannun’s threats, the Indian government condemned the acts as “terrorist activities” and criticized Canada for encouraging pro-Khalistani elements. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the violence on social media, saying: “I strongly condemn the deliberate attack on a Hindu temple in Canada. Equally appalling are the cowardly attempts to intimidate our diplomats. Such acts of violence never weaken India’s resolve.

Indian authorities have called for stronger action from the Canadian government, as Canadian authorities have not done enough to curb threats from these coercive tools. Indian intelligence sources have accused Canadian authorities of downplaying the seriousness of such threats; they highlighted the influence of the pro-Khalistani lobby within Canada’s political circles.

Canadian police support Khalistanis

Pro-Khalistani influence on Canadian police has grown further as more videos surface of sword fights among Surrey police personnel with a Khalistani flag in full view. Indian officials sent out an alert saying this may well be a case of local police going soft on Khalistanis. But the Canadian government, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, is accused of going soft on Khalistan extremists to gain political help from MPs like Jagmeet Singh, whose minority government desperately needs the vote to pass his legislative program.

Pannun was declared a terrorist under India’s Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) in 2020. He consistently uses provocative rhetoric, including a warning last month to passengers flying with Air India to avoid traveling between the November 1 and 19 as this falls on the 40th anniversary of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. In this threat of a “global blockade” against the airline, attacks are to be feared.

ALSO READ: Canada: Brampton Triveni Mandir cancels event amid threat of violent protests from SFJ terrorist Pannun