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The Khalistan movement—a decades-old separatist struggle for an independent Sikh homeland—continues to haunt India's political landscape. What began as a religious and political demand in the 20th century has now transformed into a complex geopolitical issue, ensnaring nations like Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom in its web. While India has successfully suppressed armed insurgency within its borders, the movement thrives abroad, especially in Canada, where pro-Khalistan activists operate with near impunity.
Recent developments—vandalized Hindu temples, violent protests, and diplomatic tensions—raise an unsettling question: Is Canada simply a haven for free speech, or is it deliberately sheltering separatist elements to counter India's growing global influence?
This article delves into the origins of the Khalistan movement, its violent past, Canada's role as a nerve center for its resurgence, and what intelligence agencies worldwide think about this re-emerging threat.
The Birth of Khalistan: An Ideological Dream Turned Bloody Nightmare
The roots of the Khalistan movement can be traced back to the early 20th century when British rule in India sowed deep religious and political divisions. However, it was the 1970s and 1980s that truly ignited the flames of Sikh separatism.
Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a radical preacher, became the face of the movement, advocating for an independent Sikh nation and accusing the Indian government of oppressing Sikhs. Under his leadership, militancy surged, leading to the occupation of the Golden Temple, Sikhism’s holiest shrine, in Amritsar.
The Indian government's response was swift and brutal. Operation Blue Star, conducted in June 1984 under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s orders, saw the Indian military storm the Golden Temple. Bhindranwale was killed, but at an enormous cost—hundreds of civilians died, and the sacred shrine was left scarred by gunfire and bloodshed.
This event sowed the seeds for an even greater tragedy. On October 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards, Beant Singh and Satwant Singh, in an act of revenge. Her death triggered an anti-Sikh pogrom across India, with thousands of Sikhs slaughtered in the streets. The cycle of violence had spiraled out of control.
For the next decade, Punjab became a war zone. Khalistani militants engaged in bombings, assassinations, and mass killings, while the Indian state responded with iron-fisted counterinsurgency tactics. By the mid-1990s, Indian security forces had decimated the movement domestically, but its spirit lived on in the Sikh diaspora.
Canada: A Safe Haven or a Geopolitical Pawn?
With the Khalistan movement crushed in India, the battle shifted overseas, particularly to Canada. Today, Canada is widely regarded as the epicenter of pro-Khalistan activism. The question is: why?
1. Canada’s Large Sikh Population
Canada is home to nearly 800,000 Sikhs, making it one of the largest Sikh communities outside India. Many Sikhs in Canada are descendants of those who fled the violence of the 1980s, harboring deep resentment toward the Indian state. This historical grievance has fueled support for Khalistani separatism.
2. Political Pandering
Canadian politicians, particularly those in the ruling Liberal Party, have been accused of courting Sikh votes by turning a blind eye to Khalistani extremism. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has faced repeated allegations of being soft on pro-Khalistan groups. His 2018 visit to India was overshadowed by the presence of Jaspal Atwal, a convicted Sikh terrorist, at official events—a diplomatic disaster that signaled Canada's willingness to tolerate pro-Khalistan elements.
3. Anti-India Stance
Beyond vote-bank politics, Canada’s approach to Khalistan also appears to be a strategic counter to India’s rising global influence. As India aligns more closely with the U.S. and other Western powers, Canada’s seemingly sympathetic stance towards Khalistani elements raises suspicions.
4. A Cover for Other Operations?
Could Canada’s support for pro-Khalistan groups be a smokescreen for something deeper? Intelligence analysts speculate that Khalistani networks may be entangled with organized crime, arms smuggling, and even covert geopolitical maneuvers. The involvement of groups like Sikhs for Justice (SFJ)—which India has declared a terrorist organization—has raised concerns about foreign intelligence agencies playing a hand in the movement’s resurgence.
The Intelligence Perspective: A Resurging Threat?
Security and intelligence agencies worldwide view the Khalistan movement with a wary eye. Despite its weakened position in India, its revival in the West has not gone unnoticed.
1. India’s Counterterrorism Efforts
India has repeatedly pressed Canada, the U.S., and the UK to take stronger action against pro-Khalistan groups. In 2025, India formally asked the U.S. to designate Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), citing its role in financing anti-India activities. The Indian intelligence agency RAW (Research and Analysis Wing)monitors Sikh extremist groups worldwide and has flagged their connections to money laundering and extremist networks.
2. Western Intelligence’s Cautious Approach
The CIA, MI6, and CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service) have also taken note of Khalistani extremism but remain divided on how to handle it. While these agencies recognize the movement’s ties to terrorism, they also see it as a political issue—one that risks inflaming tensions within Canada’s Sikh community.
3. The Pakistan Connection
India has long accused Pakistan’s ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) of funding and arming Khalistani groups to destabilize Punjab. The idea of a second insurgency in India serves Pakistan’s strategic interests, and intelligence sources suggest that some pro-Khalistan leaders maintain suspicious links with Pakistan-based operatives.
Pro-Khalistan Arguments: A Case for Independence?
Despite its dark history, the Khalistan movement still enjoys vocal support among certain Sikh groups. Their primary arguments include:
Historical Grievances: Sikhs have long felt marginalized in India, with events like Operation Blue Star and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots fueling demands for independence.
Religious and Cultural Identity: Proponents argue that Sikhs have a distinct religious and cultural identity that justifies a separate nation.
Alleged Human Rights Violations: Khalistan activists claim that India continues to suppress Sikh voices and deny justice to victims of past violence.
Diaspora Sentiment: Many Sikhs outside India—particularly in Canada and the UK—view Khalistan as a symbolic cause, even if they don’t seek an actual separate state.
The Dark Future: Is Another Storm Brewing?
The Khalistan movement remains a ghost that refuses to be exorcised. While the armed insurgency in Punjab is long over, its spirit lives on in the diaspora, with Canada playing a controversial role in its survival.
With rising tensions between India and the West, the pro-Khalistan movement could evolve into a geopolitical chess piece. Intelligence agencies worldwide continue to monitor its activities, weighing the risks of its resurgence.
Is Khalistan a dying dream, or could it once again set Punjab on fire? Only time will tell. But if history has taught us anything, it's that unresolved wounds have a way of bleeding anew.
