The recent announcement by the Khalistani group, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), to protest outside Hindu temples in Canada, including the Vaishno Devi temple in Oakville and the Lakshmi Narayan temple in Scarborough, has raised concerns. The group, which is banned in India for its pro-Khalistan activities, continues to operate in Canada, a country with a significant Sikh diaspora. The planned protests are scheduled for November 23, 2024, and the SFJ has stated that the demonstrations will be peaceful.
However, given the group’s controversial history and its advocacy for an independent Sikh state, these protests may intensify ongoing tensions surrounding the Khalistan movement in Canada. While Canada upholds freedom of expression, the protests could exacerbate divisions within the South Asian community, particularly between Sikhs and Hindus. Canadian authorities are likely to monitor the situation closely, balancing the right to protest with the need to maintain public order and prevent potential violence or unrest.
This development also highlights the broader issue of how international political movements, especially those related to the Khalistan cause, continue to influence diaspora communities in countries like Canada.
