Dasvand
Ottawa, (November 12, 2024): The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) condemns India’s dangerous and baseless disinformation campaign against Sikhs in Canada, particularly targeting individuals like Sundeep "Sunny" Singh Sidhu, a respected CBSA employee, as reported by the CBC today. The false and dangerous allegations leveled against Mr. Sidhu by Indian government sources are a clear attempt to intimidate and harm Sikh Canadians, placing their lives at risk.
Sidhu, a CBSA officer for the past two decades, was accused by the Government of India and its media of murder and terrorism. Figures like Gaurav Arya, a former Indian military officer and pro-Modi influencer, have irresponsibly identified several Canadian Sikhs as “terrorists” and incited violence, even revealing Sidhu’s personal information to the public. Arya’s actions, coupled with India’s ongoing spread of disinformation, endanger the lives of Canadians and create false suspicions about individuals and communities.
The campaign against Mr. Sidhu is yet another example of India’s disregard for the truth. In recent months, Arya and other Indian government backed media have intensified efforts to portray Canada as a violent sanctuary for so-called extremists, bolstering anti-Sikh hate and targeting high-profile figures in Canadian society, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh.
The targeted harassment of Mr. Sidhu follows the disturbing pattern that preceded the tragic death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, showing that India's disinformation tactics carry very real and violent consequences.
WSO President Danish Singh said,
“The false accusations and Indian disinformation campaign against Mr. Sidhu are part of an ongoing effort by India to malign Sikhs in Canada and to create confusion and dread in our community. India is consistently acting like a hostile and rogue country and continues to target Sikhs in Canada. Our government must hold India accountable for its ongoing foreign interference activities and protect those whose lives are being put in danger.
Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar and others who have received duties to warn have not been provided with any meaningful way of protecting themselves. That must change right away. We urge Canadian authorities to provide heightened security for those at risk and to push back against foreign disinformation campaigns.”
The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) is a non-profit organization with a mandate to promote and protect the interests of Canadian Sikhs, as well as to promote and advocate for the protection of human rights of all individuals.