Documents released Thursday by the Foreign Interference Inquiry describe widespread intimidation and harassment against Sikhs in Canada by the Indian government, much of it coordinated by diplomatic missions.
Newly unsealed documents show witnesses told the Hogue Commission that India was behind closed doors threatening families, spying on temples and interfering in Canadian elections.
One witness told the committee that India is “interfering with Canada because there is no reason not to do so,” adding that “the Canadian government is largely powerless to interfere.”
“There are no results.”
This document summarizes hundreds of written submissions received from Canadians during public consultations and meetings with more than 100 members of the diaspora community.
Participants included Chinese, Iranian, and Ukrainians, but the voices of Sikh Canadians were particularly noteworthy, offering a community-level perspective on the Indian government’s alleged tactics.
Foreign interference in India has “accelerated” since Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014, with senior officials vowing to “eliminate dissidents from other countries,” witnesses said. one person said.
Canada has identified India as the country’s second most serious foreign interference threat after China. India’s campaign is primarily focused on the Khalistan movement, which claims independence for the Sikh-majority state of Punjab.
In the document, the witness said that after he took part in a protest outside the Indian High Commission in Ottawa, Indian police visited his family and threatened his mother and brother, forcing him to flee to Dubai. said.
Other witnesses described attempts to sway the election, with India “exerting influence over the nomination process of Canadian political parties” and pressuring “red flag” candidates critical of the Republic of India (ROI). he claimed.
“Some attendees discussed the consequences faced by political candidates who publicly speak out against ROI’s human rights record or advocate on behalf of the Sikh community,” the committee wrote. are.
A candidate running for city council in an unnamed Canadian city claims he was targeted by “online bots and agents” from the Indian government during the campaign.
“Some attendees described their experiences of being the targets of coordinated disinformation and misinformation campaigns conducted through social media platforms and online news environments, along with related online harassment,” the commission said. said.
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Sikh temple elections are another alleged target of the Indian consulate, with consular officials routinely denying visas to Sikh supporters attempting to travel to India, according to the filing. It is also claimed that
According to one participant, “Individuals have their visas canceled and are then called to the Indian consulate to discuss the terms of their visas, including the type of cooperation with Indian authorities.”
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The commission said he “gave examples of Indian consular agents providing visa assistance to individuals who agreed to support particular political candidates.”
Another participant said Sikh Canadians are concerned that their elected officials are acting as pawns of India or are being manipulated by New Delhi.
“One person suggested that background checks on political party nominees should be strengthened and that candidates should be specifically screened for their ties to the Government of the Republic of India,” the committee wrote.
Another witness said Indian diplomatic missions should be prohibited from exerting influence inside temples, “including recruiting sources to gather intelligence on local populations.”
“Influence activities originating from or coordinated by Indian diplomatic missions across Canada need to be curtailed,” according to the commission’s summary of testimony.
Another witness accused India of “running Canada’s police department” by appointing senior law enforcement officials under the guise of diplomats. …These police departments are putting pressure on Indo-Canadians and threatening the families of Canadian activists in ROI. ”
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Witnesses called for more transparency from Canadian intelligence agencies and decision-makers, as well as better ways to report incidents of Indian foreign interference and cross-border repression.
Another witness suggested the need for a permanent task force to investigate and counter foreign interference and report findings to the public while “coordinating between relevant agencies.”
People who have been warned by police that their lives are in danger “must also be offered some protection”. “Without this protection, people may remain silent for fear of being murdered on Canadian soil,” said one community member.
On June 18, 2023, Sikh temple leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot in Surrey, British Columbia, and Canada blamed the shooting on the Indian government.
New Delhi denies involvement, but the United States has charged an Indian intelligence official with plotting to kill Gurpatwant Singh Panun, one of Nijjar’s closest aides.
The RCMP alleged in October that Indian authorities were responsible not only for Nijjar’s murder, but also for a wave of violence across Canada that included shootings, arson and extortion.
The attack was allegedly authorized by Prime Minister Modi’s right-hand man Amit Shah and orchestrated by Indian intelligence agencies in collaboration with organized crime groups including the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
Last fall, Canada expelled six diplomats for their roles in the scheme. They were stationed at Indian missions in Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver.
India denies involvement.
The allegations follow a Global News investigation that revealed how Indian authorities manipulate the travel visa system to exploit Indo-Canadians.
The Indian government responded to Global News’ revelations on Dec. 10 by accusing Canadian news organizations of “disinformation” and “foreign interference” against India.
However, the investigative documents also highlight this scheme, with one witness claiming he was asked to sign a pre-written document when applying for a visa, which he described as “a form of harassment” and “an act of sabotage”. It is called.
Stewart.Bell@globalnews.ca
