Sikhs For Justice Threatens To Target Indian Diplomat In Canada Ahead Of His Visit To Surrey, Where Hardeep Singh Nijjar Was Killed

Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has issued a threat against India's High Commissioner to Ottawa, Sanjay Kumar Verma, ahead of his visit to Surrey, British Columbia.

The secessionist group has vowed to "target" Verma during his visit, citing the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey last year as per a report by Hindustan Times.

In an email, SFJ general counsel Gurupantwant Pannun stated, “India is responsible for orchestrating the assassination of Shaheed Nijjar and Pro-Khalistan Sikhs will have an opportunity in Surrey to directly ‘Challenge-Target-Question' the Indian High Commissioner".

Verma's itinerary includes meetings in Victoria, Vancouver, and Surrey, where he is scheduled to meet with Mayor Brenda Locke and the Surrey Board of Trade.

In response to the threat from SFJ, Verma has informed Canadian authorities, who have assured him of his security.

SFJ, considered a banned organisation in India, has been vocal in its criticism of Indian authorities, accusing them of orchestrating Nijjar's assassination.

The group has also announced plans to organise a protest during Verma's visit to Surrey.

Verma condemned SFJ's actions, highlighting the group's status as a banned organisation in India and its efforts to disrupt Canada-India bilateral relations.

He also noted SFJ's history of targeting Indian diplomats.

Nijjar's murder had previously strained relations between Canada and India, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledging "credible allegations" of Indian involvement in the killing.

Since then, SFJ has continued its campaign against Indian diplomats in Canada, including Verma.

During Verma's last visit to Surrey in March last year, a protest by nearly 200 individuals, some armed with swords, forced him to cancel an appearance at a reception organised by the Friends of India and Canada Foundation at the Taj Park Convention Centre.