Concern Grows Over Attacks on Journalists Covering Khalistani Extremism in Canada
Ottawa, Canada – A prominent Canadian Member of Parliament of Indian origin has raised alarm over a series of attacks targeting journalists who report on Khalistani extremism in the country. Chandra Arya, MP for Nepean, emphasized the urgency of addressing the situation during a parliamentary session on Friday, urging law enforcement to act decisively to protect press freedom and public safety. In his address, Arya highlighted recent incidents, including an attack on Rishi Nagar, a journalist with Red FM Calgary, which he described as part of a troubling trend of violence against media professionals in the Greater Toronto Area and across Canada.
“I am very concerned by attacks on journalists who report on Khalistani extremism in Canada,” Arya stated, calling for authorities to take the issue seriously. "It has to be dealt with an iron hand before it is too late." The MP recounted previous assaults on journalists, including the March 2023 incident involving Sameer Kaushal of Radio AM600, who was attacked while covering a Khalistan protest. Arya also mentioned the February 2022 assault on Brampton radio host Deepak Punj, who faced violence for his criticism of Khalistan-related activities.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, Arya noted that investigative journalist Mocha Bezirgan has received death threats due to his fearless reporting on the topic. These incidents underscore the increasing risks for journalists covering sensitive issues within the Khalistani movement, which has been a point of contention in Canada-India relations. The tensions between the two nations escalated last September when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani extremist, in British Columbia.
India has vehemently dismissed these allegations as “absurd” and “motivated,” maintaining that Canada must confront the issue of pro-Khalistani elements operating freely on its soil. Nijjar, who was declared a terrorist by India, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in British Columbia on June 18, 2022. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is currently investigating his murder. As discussions continue in Parliament and among the public, the call for stronger protections for journalists and a firmer stance against extremism in Canada grows louder, reflecting concerns for both press freedom and community safety.
