The Canadian Press
VANCOUVER—A man accused in a media report of training Sikh terrorists at a training camp in British Columbia has written to the prime minister asking for help to clear his name.
The Times of India reports that Indian intelligence agencies have alerted the Liberal government that pro-Khalistan extremists near Mission, B.C. plan to carry out strikes in Punjab.
Hardeep Nijjar, of Surrey, confirmed to The Canadian Press that he sent a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, which asks the federal government to dispel “fabricated, baseless, fictitious, and politically-motivated” allegations against him.
“I have never believed in, supported, or been involved with any violent activity,” he wrote.
The letter said Nijjar’s work campaigning against anti-Sikh violence in Punjab has made him a target of the Indian government and led to authorities placing his name on Interpol’s wanted list.
He said the Indian government previously has accused him of transporting ammunition through paragliding—an allegation he described as “absolutely preposterous” and “more like a bad Bollywood movie plot.”
The letter said Nijjar is a Canadian citizen who operates a small plumbing business to support his wife, two children, and parents, and that he has spent years collecting signatures for a complaint the UN Human Rights Council on anti-Sikh violence.
“Prime Minister Trudeau, my Sikh nationalist activities are peaceful, democratic, and protected under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,” the letter said.
When reached by The Canadian Press, Nijjar declined to comment on the allegations made against him in Indian media, referring all questions to his lawyer in New York.
His lawyer could not be reached but in a statement released by Sikhs for Justice, his legal counsel said Nijjar has been falsely accused.
“Indian authorities often label Sikh activists as terrorists, who are simply trying to raise awareness in Canada about human rights’ violations being committed against Sikhs in the Punjab,” Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said in the statement.
A spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office declined comment on the letter, saying the office had not yet had time to review it.
