What Are the Growing Negative Views on Khalistanis by Canadian Journalist Daniel Bordman?
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Synopsis
Daniel Bordman, a Canadian journalist, reveals the shifting opinions on the Khalistani movement in Canada. He discusses the negative perception of Khalistani extremists and their impact on Canada-India relations, highlighting a growing frustration among Canadians. With protests against Indian PM Modi coinciding with the G7 summit, this issue is more crucial than ever.
Key Takeaways
- The Khalistani movement's perception in Canada has become predominantly negative.
- Public protests against Indian PM Modi have raised tensions.
- Daniel Bordman highlights confusion among Canadians regarding the movement.
- Khalistani extremism is impacting Canada-India relations.
- Growing frustration among average Canadians is noted.
Toronto, June 17 (NationPress) Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman stated on Tuesday that the perception of the Khalistani movement in Canada has shifted significantly to a more negative outlook, which he attributes to the movement's impact on Canada's image, making it appear "a bit silly" and creating serious strains in Canada-India relations during 2023.
His comments coincide with protests by hundreds of Khalistani extremists in Alberta against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, occurring alongside the ongoing Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada.
Prime Minister Modi is participating in the summit as a special guest, alongside global leaders such as US President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Among the demonstrators, one leader, Manjinder Singh, made inflammatory remarks, claiming he was ready to "ambush Modi" and "kill India's PM Modi's politics", which elicited strong backlash.
In an interview with IANS, Bordman remarked, "I've been to an 'Ambush Modi' protest. They ambushed Modi. He wasn't near them, but they were still ambushing. The Khalistanis are into batting, and normal Canadians are just terribly confused as to why they're yelling so much."
Bordman noted that the Khalistani movement reached its peak during the Hardeep Singh Nijjar controversy, when Canada's liberal government, under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, included several individuals with extremist ties.
"By the end of 2023, Khalistan had sort of maximum strength because you had a liberal government run by Justin Trudeau, deeply infiltrated with people with all types of extremist backgrounds. A lot of Khalistanis, especially within the Cabinet. And then there was Jagmeet Singh, a minority leader who's an open Khalistani," Bordman explained.
"This is the reason why Khalistan had sort of maximum strength in 2023, which caused numerous issues. It led to the whole Canada-India conflict, strained our relations with India, and generally made the country look a bit silly, with all the people waving swords, tearing up flags," he added.
Bordman observed a change in local Canadians' perspectives on Khalistani extremism.
"It feels good to know that now people understand what the Khalistani movement is and hold a fairly negative opinion about it... The Khalistani movement doesn't have a good reputation," he stated.
He highlighted that frustration is growing among average Canadians, who are increasingly vocal about their discontent with the movement.
"You need someone to run drugs in a truck through the country, you know who to call. You need a functioning stable country, do not call Gurpatwant Singh Pannun," he added, referencing the self-proclaimed Khalistani leader.
Point of View
We must acknowledge the growing concerns surrounding the Khalistani movement in Canada. While the right to protest and express opinions is fundamental, it is equally important to ensure that such expressions do not harm international relations. We stand with Canada in promoting constructive dialogue and understanding.
NationPress
17/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Khalistani movement?
The Khalistani movement seeks to create an independent Sikh state in Punjab, India, and has been associated with extremism.
Who is Daniel Bordman?
Daniel Bordman is a Canadian journalist who has commented on the Khalistani movement and its impact on Canada.
Why is public opinion shifting against the Khalistani movement?
Public opinion is shifting due to growing frustration among Canadians regarding the actions of Khalistani extremists and their impact on international relations.
How has the Khalistani movement affected Canada-India relations?
The movement has strained relations between Canada and India, particularly due to protests and inflammatory remarks by Khalistani leaders.
What are the implications of this negative perception?
The negative perception of the Khalistani movement could lead to increased scrutiny and challenges for those involved in it, impacting their advocacy efforts.
