Pro-Khalistan Groups Heighten Tensions: Wanted Posters Against Indian Diplomats Flood Canadian Province

In a continued wave of anti-India sentiment, pro-Khalistan elements in Canada have launched a poster campaign against Indian diplomats in the province of British Columbia. These posters, bearing the word "Wanted," have appeared at various locations in the town of Surrey, amplifying the tension between pro-Khalistan groups and the Indian government.

Videos of the posters being placed were circulated on social media and shared widely by either Pakistan-based or pro-Pakistan handles. The posters reference the recent killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the leader of the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) in British Columbia.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), which is currently investigating Nijjar's murder, has not ascribed any motive to the crime. Despite this, SFJ has blamed India for the assassination. The appearance of these posters follows a previous campaign in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) last month, which also targeted Indian diplomats.

Municipal authorities, including those from Brampton, have condemned the illegal placement of these posters. This poster campaign coincides with SFJ's plan to conduct another round of the so-called Khalistan Referendum in September, drawing concerns over the security of Indian diplomats in Canada.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar raised the issue with Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Melanie Joly, during a meeting in July. Joly assured Jaishankar that Canada takes the safety of diplomats seriously, in line with its obligations under the Vienna Convention. Canada is not the only country where pro-Khalistan demonstrations have taken place.

Similar rallies have been observed in the United Kingdom and the United States, emphasizing the global reach of this movement. In the US, the Indian Consulate in San Francisco was even set ablaze, while in London, posters targeting the British High Commissioner were put up. The ongoing anti-India campaigns in multiple countries highlight the challenges faced by Indian diplomats and their efforts to maintain security in a complex geopolitical landscape.

As authorities continue to investigate the incidents and work towards maintaining international norms and obligations, tensions between pro-Khalistan groups and the Indian government remain high.