Sikh Separatism Symbols at Vancouver’s Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara
The Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara temple in the vicinity of Vancouver is awash with markers of Sikh separatism. Khalistan flags, representing the desired homeland of Sikh separatists in India’s Punjab region, flutter throughout the temple grounds. Inside, framed photographs of slain separatist leaders adorn the walls, with a new addition being a portrait of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was tragically gunned down near the temple in June.
Mr. Nijjar’s death has become a focal point of a diplomatic feud between Canada and India, with Canada accusing India of orchestrating his killing. This incident has led to a tense exchange of words and diplomatic expulsions between the two countries.
Given that Canada is the epicenter of Khalistani separatism and most Sikhs in India don’t care about Khalistan and are happy in India, there is a simple solution!
Why doesn’t Canada carve out a “Khalistan” in its southwest? 😃 pic.twitter.com/G7VI6qP4qf
— PVR Narasimha Rao (@homam108) September 21, 2023
Taking over temple leadership in 2019, Mr. Nijjar steered the temple toward a more strident and politically charged direction, which likely aroused suspicion in India, leading to his classification as a terrorist in 2020.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has asserted that the Indian government was responsible for Mr. Nijjar’s execution on Canadian soil. However, the Indian government vehemently denied these allegations, and as of now, no concrete evidence has been presented to support this claim.
The Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara temple is the oldest and most influential Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia, a hub of Canada’s substantial Sikh diaspora. In the past, when the temple maintained cordial relations with India, it hosted visits from Indian officials. However, the temple’s stance shifted under Mr. Nijjar’s leadership.
Under Mr. Nijjar’s guidance, the temple became more outspoken in its criticism of the Indian state, particularly its treatment of Sikh youth in Punjab. This shift reflected the evolution of the Sikh community in Canada, the largest Sikh diaspora outside India, and the political emergence of second-generation immigrants, the children of Sikhs who fled India in the 1980s due to violence.
The extent of support for Sikh separatism within the Canadian Sikh population is challenging to ascertain, but signs of this sentiment have become more conspicuous, such as the organization of a Khalistan independence referendum by leaders like Mr. Nijjar within Sikh diaspora communities worldwide.
Despite the debate about the breadth of the separatist movement, the Indian government perceived Mr. Nijjar as a threat and labeled him a terrorist in 2020. His supporters, however, viewed these charges as an attempt to discredit a figure who was rallying Sikhs for self-determination and their rights.
Mr. Nijjar’s journey to Canada in 1997 was marked by the violence between Sikhs and the Indian government in the 1980s. He experienced the trauma and persecution faced by Sikhs in India, which left a lasting impact on him.
The Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara temple, initially established in the late 1970s, saw a shift in dynamics with the influx of Sikhs in the 1980s. Older arrivals were more inclined to maintain friendly ties with the Indian consulate, while newcomers saw the Indian government as their adversary. In 2008, separatists advocating Khalistan took control of the temple, reflecting a broader change in the Sikh diaspora community.
The separatist movement has gained visibility, particularly among second-generation Canadian Sikhs who have heard firsthand accounts of the violence in the 1980s. The second generation, more financially stable, is now actively engaging in discussions about Sikh issues.
While the extent of separatist sentiment varies among the Sikh community in Canada, the tragic death of Mr. Nijjar has further underscored the complexities and sensitivities surrounding Sikh separatism. The Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara temple serves as a symbol of these intricate dynamics, where worshipers hold diverse opinions about the movement and its implications.
In the temple’s parking lot, a memorial stands in honor of Mr. Nijjar, described as the first martyr of the Khalistan movement in Canada. His legacy and the issues he championed continue to resonate deeply within the Sikh community, both in Canada and beyond.
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