Daily Times

Last year, in a country as civilized as Canada, India’s involvement in the broad daylight assassination of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar exposed its sinister side to the world. The Western nations now see through India’s secular façade. It has become increasingly evident that India is the root of much of the region’s disorder, unrest, and chaos. While fostering fear and intimidation, it aspires to become the “Asian tiger.”

Driven by a lust for power and regional dominance, Modi’s rising Hindutva ideology has made life difficult for minorities in India. Modi’s extremist mentality and oppressive government haven’t just targeted the Sikh community but have also made life unbearable for Dalits, Kashmiris, and Muslims. Under the Hindutva ideology, Modi has essentially become an enemy of the minorities in India. Killings of Dalits, Christians, Muslims, and Sikhs have become routine in a way unprecedented in other countries, with Muslim communities regularly facing destruction.

Now even a country like Canada has been made aware of India’s malign influence. It has become a pattern under Modi’s government to silence anyone who speaks for their rights, regardless of whether they are in India or abroad. The entire world witnessed the involvement of India’s intelligence agency, RAW, in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. At this point, the international community must understand that Pakistan has consistently tried to reveal India’s true face.

Driven by a lust for power and regional dominance, Modi’s rising Hindutva ideology has made life difficult for minorities in India.

Nijjar’s assassination proves that India is not a secular state; rather, it harbours extremism and a thirst for minority blood. The murder of Hardeep Singh showcases to the world that Modi, who claims India is secular and peaceful, is in reality an enemy of peace. From day fist, India has been hostile toward minorities. Pakistan has consistently drawn global attention to India’s hypocrisy on fundamental human rights. The killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar further exposes India’s brutal policies and fascist statehood.

Modi is violating the basic rights of minorities, including Sikhs and Kashmiris. Driven by desperation from Indian oppression, Sikhs have migrated, but they are not safe even outside of India due to RAW’s reach. The global community should take action against India’s ruthless behaviour to prevent further loss of life.

Modi’s government, driven to an extreme for Hindutva rule, has reached a dangerous level. Since the 1980s, India has unjustly killed over a hundred thousand of our Sikh brothers and sisters. India has never done anything for the rights of Sikhs; instead, it has repeatedly oppressed them.

Our hearts still bleed when we remember Operation Blue Star in 1984, where Sikhs were burned alive with their families in the most brutal way. Many Sikh families, oppressed by this violence, sought refuge in Europe and Canada. However, Modi, whose hands are stained with the blood of Muslims in Gujarat and Kashmir, now thirsts for Sikh blood as well. He is determined to silence any dissenting voice and is willing to go to any lengths, empowered by India’s economic might.

On the other hand, while India accuses Pakistan of terrorism and tries to deceive the world, Sikhs are treated with dignity and respect in Pakistan, unmatched elsewhere. Pakistan is the only country that has always honoured the Sikh religion and its followers. From Nankana Sahib to Panja Sahib and Kartarpur Sahib, we have complete freedom to practice our religious rituals.

The Sikh community in Pakistan has always been embraced and protected by the state and their Muslim brothers. When Sikh pilgrims from India, the US, Europe, and Canada visit Pakistan, they return with hearts filled with love. Sikhs worldwide believe that Pakistan is like a paradise for them because it is the sacred land of our Gurus. This is where Baba Guru Nanak walked; it’s the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, which brings a sense of peace and love. In contrast, in India, we are mocked, labelled as traitors and Khalistanis for demanding rights and silenced if we dare to raise our voices. From the desecration of the Golden Temple in Amritsar to the farmers’ protests, whenever Sikhs have voiced their rights, the Indian government has suppressed them with bullets. Canadian officials should take India to the United Nations to expose its sinister face.

The writer is an old Aitchisonian who believes in freedom of expression, a freelance columnist, entrepreneur and social activist.