Another Sikh Canadian activist has received a “duty to warn” notification, raising concerns about the Carney government’s assertion of resolving Indian government foreign interference and transnational repression issues.
Inderjeet Singh Gosal disclosed that he was handed the letter on August 14 after being contacted by the RCMP in Caledon, Ontario. These letters are sent by police when there is credible intelligence indicating a threat to a citizen’s life, without specifying the nature of the threat.
The correspondence, signed by two RCMP members and Gosal as the “Intended Victim,” was shown to CBC News. Gosal mentioned that the RCMP reiterated a previous offer to enroll him in a witness protection program, which he declined, stating his commitment to advocating for the Khalistan referendum over personal safety.
Khalistan refers to the envisioned independent Sikh homeland in India’s Punjab region by Sikh separatists. The ongoing non-binding referendums by Sikhs for Justice in various global regions since 2021 have incited displeasure from the Indian government.
After the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun appointed Gosal as the new leader for the Canadian referendum campaign. This marked Gosal’s sixth official police warning.
The issuance of warning letters intensified under the Carney government’s normalization efforts with the Modi administration post the Nijjar incident, triggering a diplomatic fallout and mutual diplomatic staff reductions between Canada and India.
Despite Canada’s emphasis on fostering economic ties with India, duty to warn letters persist, indicating ongoing threats. Canada has faced scrutiny from UN rapporteurs regarding its handling of threats to Sikh-origin citizens, particularly involving activist Moninder Singh in British Columbia.
While acknowledging the RCMP’s duty, Gosal criticized the Carney government’s approach, questioning the government’s business and diplomatic engagements with India amid alleged plots of extrajudicial actions on Canadian soil by the Modi regime.
India has denied any involvement in violent acts in Canada, including the Nijjar assassination. Gosal reaffirmed his commitment to organizing the upcoming referendum in Edmonton, Alberta, despite being a potential target for suppression by the Indian government.