The Khalistan terror threat is real |
In a hyper-connected global order, extremist ideologies have no borders. This fact has found an echo in Canada`s latest, albeit late, acknowledgement of Khalistan extremism as a terror threat on its soil. The Canadian government has listed it as “a matter of concern” in the 2018 Public Report on the Terrorism Threat to Canada”, tabled by the country`s public safety minister, Ralph Goodale. The report, while hyphenating Khalistani extremism with Sunni and Shia threats, lays down the broad outlines of the country`s national strategy for countering radicalisation. From India`s standpoint, the Canadian recognition is a positive augury. It validates New Delhi`s frequently flagged concerns about the Justin Trudeau government`s soft-pedalling on the pro-Khalistan lobby that spews venom against India and supports a violent insurrection for a separate Sikh state in India. Earlier this year, India`s former high commissioner in Canada, Vishnu Prakash, underscored the country`s exasperation, saying, “ unfortunately, Canada is the only country in the world which is providing a platform, or is seen to be providing a platform, to the Khalistani elements”.Khalistani extremism in Canada dates back to the post-1984 Operation Bluestar period.
|
|
|
|