Two groups representing Canada’s Sikh community are calling on political parties to “present a united front” to India after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau linked the murder of a local leader near Vancouver to New Delhi.
In a joint statement, the Ontario Gurdwaras Committee and the British Columbia Gurdwaras Council say they hope that “Canadian political parties from all walks of life will clearly express” their opposition to this possible foreign interference relating to the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.
On Monday, Mr. Trudeau revealed in Parliament that Canadian intelligence services were investigating possible links between the Indian government and the death of Mr. Nijjar, who was shot and killed in Surrey, outside a Sikh temple.
Indian authorities had issued an arrest warrant for Mr. Nijjar for defending an independent Sikh state. They rejected Mr. Trudeau’s allegations, calling them “absurd and politically motivated.”
Leaders of recognized political parties in the House of Commons condemned possible Indian involvement in Mr. Nijjar’s death. They also called on Canadians to maintain peace and order.
New Democrat leader Jagmeet Singh wrote to Judge Marie-Josée Hogue, who will chair the public commission of inquiry into foreign interference, to ask her to also look at India.