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<p>Indian authorities have said they could assist Canada in investigating the links of criminal gangs operating in the country and targeting Indo-Canadians. India’s High Commissioner to Ottawa, Sanjay Kumar Verma made the remark but added that it would assist only if there is a formal request from Ottawa.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Canadian&nbsp;security agencies have alleged that crime rackets&nbsp;operating in Edmonton, Alberta and other provinces were being "orchestrated from India".&nbsp;</p>

<p>“Canadians are yet to request, with evidence. If specific and relevant evidence, not merely unsubstantiated allegations, are shared with us, pointing to links between Canadian extortionists and Indian gangsters, we shall act accordingly,” Verma was quoted as saying by&nbsp;<em>Hindustan Times</em></p>

<p>Verma added that there were&nbsp;“existing mechanisms between the two governments to cooperate on organised crimes" and that New Delhi will pay heed if concrete proof is presented.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Edmonton Police Service is of the view that a series of extortion, arsons and shooting in Alberta's capital region are&nbsp;being orchestrated by a network, operating from India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Thursday (Jan 18), the EPS released a video of a&nbsp;vehicle that was used in a drive-by shooting which they believe is connected to an extortion scheme that has so far exclusively targeted South Asian home builders in Edmonton.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It's our belief they're targeting home builders maybe because...the people perpetrating these crimes view them as being affluent and able to provide funds," Staff Sgt. David Paton said during a briefing.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-indian-students-shift-away-from-canadian-colleges-amidst-diplomatic-row-680989"><strong>Watch | Gravitas: Indian students' shift away from Canadian colleges amidst diplomatic row</strong></a></p>

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<p>According to reports, the police is investigating 27 events linked to an "extortion series" that have transpired in the region since October last year.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Trudeau's liberal policies haunting him?</strong></h2>

<p>Experts are of the view that the freedom provided by the liberal regime of&nbsp;Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to anti-India elements had finally started to&nbsp;catch up. Gang&nbsp;wars and Khalistani activities have become a norm in Canada. Although, the South Asian communities are currently the target, it may not take long for the organised criminal gangs to change their target demography as they gain more power.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canada-considers-cap-on-international-students-amid-housing-crisis-679869" target="_blank"><strong>Also read | Canada considers cap on international students amid housing crisis</strong></a></p>

<p>India's willingness&nbsp;to cooperate with Canada comes at a time when Ottawa has done irreparable damage to the relations between the two nations. Last year, Trudeau addressed the Canadian parliament and said it had credible allegations that New Delhi was involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Indian authorities have said they could assist Canada in investigating the links of criminal gangs operating in the country and targeting Indo-Canadians. India’s High Commissioner to Ottawa, Sanjay Kumar Verma made the remark but added that it would assist only if there is a formal request from Ottawa.

Indian authorities have said they could assist Canada in investigating the links of criminal gangs operating in the country and targeting Indo-Canadians. India’s High Commissioner to Ottawa, Sanjay Kumar Verma made the remark but added that it would assist only if there is a formal request from Ottawa. Canadian security agencies have alleged that crime rackets operating in Edmonton, Alberta and other provinces were being "orchestrated from India". “Canadians are yet to request, with evidence. If specific and relevant evidence, not merely unsubstantiated allegations, are shared with us, pointing to links between Canadian extortionists and Indian gangsters, we shall act accordingly,” Verma was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times Verma added that there were “existing mechanisms between the two governments to cooperate on organised crimes" and that New Delhi will pay heed if concrete proof is presented. The Edmonton Police Service is of the view that a series of extortion, arsons and shooting in Alberta's capital region are being orchestrated by a network, operating from India. On Thursday (Jan 18), the EPS released a video of a vehicle that was used in a drive-by shooting which they believe is connected to an extortion scheme that has so far exclusively targeted South Asian home builders in Edmonton. "It's our belief they're targeting home builders maybe because...the people perpetrating these crimes view them as being affluent and able to provide funds," Staff Sgt. David Paton said during a briefing. Watch | Gravitas: Indian students' shift away from Canadian colleges amidst diplomatic row × According to reports, the police is investigating 27 events linked to an "extortion series" that have transpired in the region since October last year. Trudeau's liberal policies haunting him? Experts are of the view that the freedom provided by the liberal regime of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to anti-India elements had finally started to catch up. Gang wars and Khalistani activities have become a norm in Canada. Although, the South Asian communities are currently the target, it may not take long for the organised criminal gangs to change their target demography as they gain more power. Also read | Canada considers cap on international students amid housing crisis India's willingness to cooperate with Canada comes at a time when Ottawa has done irreparable damage to the relations between the two nations. Last year, Trudeau addressed the Canadian parliament and said it had credible allegations that New Delhi was involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. (With inputs from agencies)

India willing to assist Canada's extortion probe if Ottawa requests, says envoy

<p>Canada-based Punjabi singer and rapper Shubhneet Singh, popularly known by his stage name Shubh, is in the news for all the wrong reasons. The singer who rose to fame with hit songs like<em> Elevated, OG</em> and <em>Cheques,</em> has been facing criticism over his alleged support for Khalistan - an issue that has caused strains in relations between India and Canada in recent weeks. Owing to his social media posts, Shubh has seen many of his celebrity followers unfollowing him on Instagram in the past weeks. Shubh enjoys a considerable fanbase the world over.</p>

<p>Hailing from Punjab and now settled in Canada, Shubh burst onto the scene with his breakout debut single <em>We Rollin&nbsp;</em>in September 2021. His blend of catchy hip-hop and trap beats and fast lyrical flow gained massive popularity in no time and he belted out hit singles <em>No Love, </em>and<em> Baller.</em> He has over a million followers on Instagram and recently released another album <em>Still Rollin,</em> which featured the viral track<em> Cheques.</em></p>

<p>On September 19, electronics brand boAt retracted its sponsorship of the upcoming India tour of Shubh. The brand's decision to withdraw its sponsorship comes at a time when India and Canada are embroiled in a diplomatic tussle over the death of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and due to Shubh's controversial posts earlier this year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a statement shared on X, the company said, “At boAt, while our commitment to the incredible music community runs deep, we are first and foremost a true Indian brand. Therefore, when we became aware of the remarks made by artist Shubh earlier this year, we chose to withdraw our sponsorship of the tour.”</p>

<h2>What is the controversy around Shubh?</h2>

<p>The Canadian-Punjabi singer stirred controversy earlier this year in March when he shared a distorted map of India on his Instagram story, conspicuously omitting the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and the Northeastern states.</p>

<p>He captioned the image as, "Pray for Punjab". The singer was slammed massively on social media for the post. The singer later deleted the map and replaced it with a message that read "Pray for Punjab" without any picture.</p>

<p>Shubh's post came amid&nbsp;a police crackdown on self-proclaimed Sikh preacher and ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh and his associates. He posted the image after the Punjab government suspended mobile internet services across the state.<br />
<br />
Shubh was scheduled to perform in Mumbai, India from September 23-25. He was&nbsp;also scheduled to perform in cities such as New Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. On September 20, ticketing app BookMyShow announced that the singer's India tour had been cancelled.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Online ticketing site BookMyShow says Canadian singer Shubhneet Singh’s 'Still Rollin' tour for India stands "cancelled" <a href="https://t.co/9WpaqYg57I">pic.twitter.com/9WpaqYg57I</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1704430654644232342?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>In response to the singer's upcoming concert, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the youth wing of the BJP, removed posters promoting the event, stating that it won't allow the singer to perform as he is a Khalistani supporter. The group has been staging protests in Mumbai for the past few days demanding a ban on Shubh's India concert.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"There is no space for Khalistanis who are the enemy of integrity and unity of India. We won't let Canadian singer Shubh perform on the auspicious land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mumbai...If no proper action is taken then the organisers will have to face revolt," BJYM President Tajinder Singh Tiwana told news agency ANI.</p>

<p>BJYM has also written to the Mumbai police to register an FIR against Shubh “for waging war against the Government of India and posting anti-government posts”.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The memorandum submitted by BJYM to the Mumbai police stated that the intention of the singer was to show that Punjab is not a part of India and to propagate the Khalistani agenda.</p>

<p>“Shubh is openly a Khalistani supporter and if he is allowed to hold a concert here, he will be influencing a lot of youth in Mumbai and our country to support his agenda…He has evidently proven that he is a pro-Khalistani activist and openly supports their agenda and (he) is also influencing the youth of the country to do the same and wage a war against the Government of India by posting such absurd and derogatory posts about the Government of India,” the complaint read.</p>

<p>Since the controversy broke out, Shubh's celebrity followers like Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya have all unfollowed the singer on Instagram.</p>

<h2>Controversy around Hardeep Singh Nijjar's death</h2>

<p>The controversy around singer Shubh comes when India and Canada are in a diplomatic row over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Relations between the two countries have already been sour and the killing has led to a dramatic new low.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed on June 18 outside a Sikh cultural centre in Surrey, British Columbia. Canada PM Justin Trudeau cited "credible allegations of a potential link" between agents of the Indian government and the assassination of the Khalistani terrorist.</p>

<p>Trudeau's government has been actively collaborating and coordinating with Canada's international allies regarding the Nijjar case, culminating in the expulsion of the Indian diplomat.</p>

<p>India, meanwhile, rejected the Trudeau government's allegation, describing it as "absurd" and "motivated". In response, India expelled a senior Canadian diplomat and gave him 5 days to leave the country.</p>

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Canada-based Punjabi singer and rapper Shubhneet Singh, popularly known by his stage name Shubh, is in the news for all the wrong reasons. The singer who rose to fame with hit songs like Elevated, OG and Cheques, has been facing criticism over his alleged support for Khalistan - an issue that has caused strains in relations between India and Canada in recent weeks.

Canada-based Punjabi singer and rapper Shubhneet Singh, popularly known by his stage name Shubh, is in the news for all the wrong reasons. The singer who rose to fame with hit songs like Elevated, OG and Cheques, has been facing criticism over his alleged support for Khalistan - an issue that has caused strains in relations between India and Canada in recent weeks. Owing to his social media posts, Shubh has seen many of his celebrity followers unfollowing him on Instagram in the past weeks. Shubh enjoys a considerable fanbase the world over. Hailing from Punjab and now settled in Canada, Shubh burst onto the scene with his breakout debut single We Rollin in September 2021. His blend of catchy hip-hop and trap beats and fast lyrical flow gained massive popularity in no time and he belted out hit singles No Love, and Baller. He has over a million followers on Instagram and recently released another album Still Rollin, which featured the viral track Cheques. On September 19, electronics brand boAt retracted its sponsorship of the upcoming India tour of Shubh. The brand's decision to withdraw its sponsorship comes at a time when India and Canada are embroiled in a diplomatic tussle over the death of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and due to Shubh's controversial posts earlier this year. In a statement shared on X, the company said, “At boAt, while our commitment to the incredible music community runs deep, we are first and foremost a true Indian brand. Therefore, when we became aware of the remarks made by artist Shubh earlier this year, we chose to withdraw our sponsorship of the tour.” What is the controversy around Shubh? The Canadian-Punjabi singer stirred controversy earlier this year in March when he shared a distorted map of India on his Instagram story, conspicuously omitting the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and the Northeastern states. He captioned the image as, "Pray for Punjab". The singer was slammed massively on social media for the post. The singer later deleted the map and replaced it with a message that read "Pray for Punjab" without any picture. Shubh's post came amid a police crackdown on self-proclaimed Sikh preacher and ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh and his associates. He posted the image after the Punjab government suspended mobile internet services across the state. Shubh was scheduled to perform in Mumbai, India from September 23-25. He was also scheduled to perform in cities such as New Delhi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. On September 20, ticketing app BookMyShow announced that the singer's India tour had been cancelled. Online ticketing site BookMyShow says Canadian singer Shubhneet Singh’s 'Still Rollin' tour for India stands "cancelled" pic.twitter.com/9WpaqYg57I — ANI (@ANI) September 20, 2023 × In response to the singer's upcoming concert, the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the youth wing of the BJP, removed posters promoting the event, stating that it won't allow the singer to perform as he is a Khalistani supporter. The group has been staging protests in Mumbai for the past few days demanding a ban on Shubh's India concert. "There is no space for Khalistanis who are the enemy of integrity and unity of India. We won't let Canadian singer Shubh perform on the auspicious land of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Mumbai...If no proper action is taken then the organisers will have to face revolt," BJYM President Tajinder Singh Tiwana told news agency ANI. BJYM has also written to the Mumbai police to register an FIR against Shubh “for waging war against the Government of India and posting anti-government posts”. The memorandum submitted by BJYM to the Mumbai police stated that the intention of the singer was to show that Punjab is not a part of India and to propagate the Khalistani agenda. “Shubh is openly a Khalistani supporter and if he is allowed to hold a concert here, he will be influencing a lot of youth in Mumbai and our country to support his agenda…He has evidently proven that he is a pro-Khalistani activist and openly supports their agenda and (he) is also influencing the youth of the country to do the same and wage a war against the Government of India by posting such absurd and derogatory posts about the Government of India,” the complaint read. Since the controversy broke out, Shubh's celebrity followers like Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Hardik Pandya have all unfollowed the singer on Instagram. Controversy around Hardeep Singh Nijjar's death The controversy around singer Shubh comes when India and Canada are in a diplomatic row over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Relations between the two countries have already been sour and the killing has led to a dramatic new low. Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed on June 18 outside a Sikh cultural centre in Surrey, British Columbia. Canada PM Justin Trudeau cited "credible allegations of a potential link" between agents of the Indian government and the assassination of the Khalistani terrorist. Trudeau's government has been actively collaborating and coordinating with Canada's international allies regarding the Nijjar case, culminating in the expulsion of the Indian diplomat. India, meanwhile, rejected the Trudeau government's allegation, describing it as "absurd" and "motivated". In response, India expelled a senior Canadian diplomat and gave him 5 days to leave the country. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained: What is the controversy around Canadian-Punjabi rapper Shubh?

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