From accusations to backlash: How Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's Khalistan gamble backfired

In a bid to bolster his domestic political standing, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's recent attempts to implicate India in the unresolved murder of a Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar seem to have backfired. The move has triggered heightened scrutiny, both on a national and international level, regarding Canada's sheltering of individuals associated with extremists fleeing from India.

The episode has impacted Trudeau's credibility and his government's image due to the fact that it is on support from a pro-Khalistan Sikh leader.

Trudeau's efforts at the United Nations to gather support for his allegations against New Delhi yielded minimal results. Canadian officials reported meetings with various world leaders, yet crucially, the issue in question was notably absent from the discussions and their subsequent summaries.


Canadian media has honed in on the imprecise language used by Trudeau in his accusations against New Delhi, emphasizing the absence of substantial evidence. The skepticism within Canada regarding the allegations is further compounded by Trudeau's declining approval ratings, now standing at 33 percent, juxtaposed against a disapproval rating of 63 percent.

The alliance between Trudeau's Liberal government and the New Democratic Party, whose leader, Jagmeet Singh, is perceived to be a Khalistan support, has also raised doubt behind Trudeau's motives. Additionally, scrutiny has reignited over the actions of the slain extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, as videos circulating on social media reveal his involvement in militant activities and celebration of violent acts.

The surprise actions has also backfired within Trudeau's own Liberal Party, as disquiet is brewing regarding the Prime Minister's stance towards the Khalistani constituency. Specifically, the warning by Nijjar's lawyer, Gurpatwant Pannu, directed at Canadian Hindus to return to India, has raised concerns of division within the Hindu and Sikh communities in Canada.

Chandra Arya, an MP from Trudeau's Liberal Party, condemned Pannu's divisive remarks and emphasized the strong connections between the Canadian Hindu and Sikh communities. Arya underscored the need to address the glorification of terrorism and hate crimes under the guise of freedom of speech and expression, highlighting the potential domestic and geopolitical fallout if the accusations against India remain unsupported.