Concerns over rising Khalistani Separatist propaganda in Canada have intensified after Guru Nanak Sikh Gurudwara Complex in Surrey was reported bearing sign of ‘Republic of Khalistan’. The signage appeared alongside banners and symbols linked to Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a banned separatist organisation in India known for organising unofficial referendums advocating for an independent Sikh state.
A community centre in Surrey, originally built with provincial government funding, has become the centre of a political and diplomatic storm after being rebranded as the ‘Embassy of Khalistan’. The development has triggered sharp criticism from local broadcaster and community leader Maninder Gill, who has written a forceful letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney and British Columbia’s leadership, calling for immediate intervention.
Gill, who heads a local radio station, condemned the transformation of the building which received $150,000 in taxpayer grants into a hub promoting pro-Khalistan separatist sentiments. He warned that this shift not only misuses public funds but also undermines Canada’s international partnerships, particularly with India.
Gill claimed that the Gurdwara committee, which manages the site and received government support as a registered Canadian charity, has crossed a red line by openly endorsing a separatist cause. ‘This building was meant to serve the global community, not to act as a base for extremism’, he told CNN-News18, expressing deep concern over what he views as the politicisation of a religious and charitable space.
In his letter, Gill urged federal and provincial leaders to launch an investigation and hold the committee accountable, arguing that Canadian public money should never be used to fund foreign political movements.
Diplomatic Fallout and Longstanding Tensions
The incident has reignited diplomatic tensions between Canada and India, which have remained fragile since the June 2023 assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a known Khalistani figure whom India had designated a terrorist. Canadian intelligence later alleged links between Indian agents and the killing, sparking a diplomatic standoff, including the expulsion of diplomats from both countries.
An interesting fact to note is that this is the same gurudwara in whose parking lot Nijjar was gunned down. This connection points fingers towards the intense symbolism linked to Pro Khalistan movements.
Gill’s letter serves as the latest flashpoint in the ongoing debate over how far freedom of expression and association can go when it intersects with alleged support for separatist extremism. As the controversy continues to unfold, the federal government is under pressure to respond and clarify its stance on how Canadian public infrastructure can and should be used.