Daily Times

Saga of international embarrassments for Indian government continues on the issue of Sikh leaders’ assassination plots. BJP regime is well-known for coercive anti-minority policies.

Marginalization of the Muslims and Sikhs appears on top of the recorded incidences of violence. Violent pursuit of dissenting Sikh leaders on foreign lands is obvious outcome of anti-minority strategy. Horrible tale took a nasty turn with the shocking targeted killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijar in Canada previous year.

Soon it was established that Hardeep Singh was assassinated for being a vocal supporter of Khalistan movement. Initial guess about involvement of Indian state actors were not baseless because Nijar was enlisted as wanted miscreant by BJP government. Hardeep Nijar denied the fabricated charges of terrorism and was staying in exile to avoid the state sponsored atrocities. Firstly, direct allegation of Nijar’s targeted assassinations on Indian state actors was linked by World Sikh Organization of Canada. Shocking allegations brought in limelight two more targeted assassination of similar nature which took the lives of pro-Khalistan Sikh leaders.

Avatar Singh Khanda and Pramjit Singh Panjwar, both dissenting Indian origin pro-Khalistan activists were brutally assassinated in UK and Pakistan respectively by unidentified assailants. India has been expressing concerns about the presence of dissenting Sikhs in Canada and UK through routine diplomatic channels, however, blatant elimination of those very persons was unexpected development.

Violent pursuit of dissenting Sikh leaders on foreign lands is obvious outcome of anti-minority strategy.

In the backdrop of Hardeep Singh Nijar’s assassination, Canadian authorities adopted sensible approach and laid focus on thorough investigations to dig out the undeniable evidences. Outcome of exhaustive investigation were no less than explosive diplomatic shock. Canadian government alleged Indian state actors of trans-nation assassination of Sikh leader Hardeep Nijar (Canadian citizen). Echoes of these allegations were in media air prior to G-20 meeting which took place in India.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau was extended cold shoulder in India, obviously much below the usual diplomatic norms expected form a country hosting any international summit. Most of speculations revolved around gradually growing Indo-Canadian bitterness about targeted killing of Nijar in violation of international and local laws.

India, as usual adopted evasive strategy and made ill-conceived moves to downplay the severity of crime committed by the state actors. After G-20 summit, Canada adopted official channel to approach India about the involvement of state actors in assassination of Hardeep Nijar. While India was already pushed in a tight spot after allegations form Canadian government, foiled assassination plot of another Sikh leader namely Gunputwant Sigh on America soil dropped like a bomb shell on Modi regime.

Hitman hired by the contractor of ‘RAW’ for assassination of Gurputwatnt Singh on American soil was an undercover FBI official. Fancy assassination plot of ‘RAW’ turned into a misadventure with the arrest of contractor Nikhil Gupta in Czech Republic.

Later he was repatriated to USA. Basing on Nikhil Gupta’s disclosures and confessional statements, USA authorities have questioned the India about undeniable involvement of ‘RAW’ official Vikas Yadav in foiled assassination plot. Very less was left with Indian diplomats to coverup such blatant criminal acts orchestrated on foreign soil by the trigger-happy state actors.

Focus again shifted to Ottawa when none other than Canadian PM Justin Trudeau himself took India on task in a press conference by saying “Canada had clear intelligence linking Indian diplomats to drive by shooting, home invasions, violent extortion and even murder in and across Canada”. Senior Canadian police officials pointed out involvement of Indian diplomats in the gruesome assassination and multiple acts of harassment of Sikh community.

Accused diplomats were sent back to New Delhi. Though, India retaliated baselessly in same coin but cycle of her embarrassments is not yet over. Reportedly, according to Canadian official claims, the orders for assassination and rest of the illegal acts were approved by the all-powerful Home Minister Amit Shah. Instant rejection of allegations form Indian side seems hollow and least convincing.

BJP and its maestro Narinder Modi are the symbol of systemic bloody violence against the minorities and the marginalized communities. Involvement of Amit Shah in trans-nation killings has added a new feather in the hat of rogue state. Portfolio of Amit Shah may be renamed as ‘Ministry of Assassination”.

The writer is a student.