Link to article: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/15/canadian-police-accuse-india-criminal-network-kill-dissidents
The Indian government has been known to kill off Sikh political opponents and be violent against Sikhs in general. The mob known as the Bishnoi group, whose leader Lawrence Bishnoi is currently incarcerated in India, is accused of acting on his orders to kill Canadian citizens who are dissidents of the Indian government. India has a large population of the ethnoreligious group, the Sikhs, in northern India along with many in Canada. They seek to break away from India and have contrasting political views to the current Indian government so it makes them a threat and a target. Indian diplomats as well as gang members have been accused by the Canadian government as recently as this past Monday. Canada, along with US officials are attempting to have India co-operate and hold their citizens accountable, but India is currently rejecting any allegations against them of involvement in the crimes. This has created a big rift between the two governments.
I had not heard of the conflicts between Canada and India before so this article gave me insight into operations of the Indian government and where different ethnicities are located. It also allowed me to see why India and Canada may have future problems because of the mistrust in each other. I also think it’s important because it shows that sometimes gangs or other NGOs are involved in government and can help to influence or make decisions. I think this will create a deeper divide between Sikhs and other Indians and therefore, more Sikhs will move from India to other countries and make greater attempts to become their own autonomous region.
I expect Canada to continue to press India to truthfully answer for their actions because I can’t see Canada just letting it go. I also see them possibly putting more protection around Sikhs that are Canadian citizens. I expect India to continue to deny their involvement in the killings because there would be big repercussions for what was done. I also don’t see them backing away from the violence against the Sikhs because their view on them has not changed and are not currently suffering international repercussions for their deeds. This event connects to what we have been talking about in class because it directly involves NGOs and the power they have along with the oppression of a stateless nation in a country where the government is opposed to their culture.