Canada removes reference to 'Sikh extremism’ from its report on terrorist threats

The Canadian government under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau might have given in to the domestic political pressure from the Sikh community as the government is reported to have removed eight references to Sikh extremism and six references to Khalistan in its 2018 public report on terrorist threats to the country.

'Khalistan' is a Sikh separatist movement that seeks an independent state called Khalistān in the Punjab, India.

The updated version was released about 24 hours before the Canadian prime minister's visit to a Vaisakhi parade in Vancouver.

This development comes amid reports of the ruling liberal party being threatened of serious outcomes by pressure groups in the local Sikh community.

Now, the Sikh and Khalistani extremism had figured for the first time in the 2018 terrorism report.

The original report said Canada continues to face threats from, “individuals inspired to commit violence based on other forms of extremism, including from... Sikh Khalistani extremists”.

But the updated report notes that while “outlining a threat, it must be clearly linked to an ideology rather than a community”.

Canada heads to the polls this October. The incumbent government would certainly want to keep the influential local Sikh community by its side.

India, on the other hand, has called this move a 'full retreat' by Ottawa.

Sikh and Khalistani extremism figured in a counter-terrorism bilateral between India and Canada in Ottawa last month. The two sides discussed the threat from Khalistani extremism for the first time during the meet.