OTTAWA, Canada (Diya TV) — A recent incident of gunfire at the residence of Inderjeet Singh Gosal, a close associate of prominent Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has reignited concerns about targeted violence against Sikh activists in Canada. The shooting, occurring in Brampton, Ontario, adds to a series of escalating tensions within the Sikh community.
Peel Regional Police responded to reports of a bullet hole found in a window of Gosal’s under-construction home, sparking an investigation into the incident. While no injuries were reported, the timing of the shooting, shortly after Gosal announced plans for a pro-Khalistan rally, raises suspicions of a deliberate attack.
Gosal’s association with Pannun, who was allegedly the target of a thwarted assassination plot in the United States, adds complexity to the situation. The incident follows a similar shooting at the home of Simranjeet Singh, an associate of slain Canadian activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, further heightening concerns about the safety of Sikh separatists abroad.
The shooting underscores the ongoing tensions between Canada and India, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau directly implicating New Delhi in the killing of Sikh separatists on Canadian soil. India has vehemently denied these allegations, leading to diplomatic strains between the two nations and the suspension of free-trade negotiations.
While police continue to investigate the motive behind the shooting, the incident highlights the broader issue of transnational repression faced by Sikh activists advocating for an independent Khalistan state in Punjab, India. The resurgence of violence against individuals associated with the Khalistan movement underscores the challenges of navigating political activism in the diaspora.
