Indo-Canadian organizations have voiced strong objections following a controversial speech delivered during a Khalsa Day parade held in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) on Sunday. The remarks, calling for the removal of members of the Indo-Canadian community from the country, were made alongside floats promoting Khalistan separatism and anti-India messaging.
The parade featured displays carrying slogans and symbols supporting Khalistan, with several banners bearing pro-Pakistan and anti-India themes. These included signs that read “Kill India” and images targeting Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There were also symbols expressing unity between Khalistani sympathizers and Islamabad. Although the inflammatory floats were seen during the event, there is no confirmation that these were officially part of the parade endorsed by its organizers.
The route of the nagar kirtan began in Malton and ended in Toronto’s Rexdale area, attracting large crowds. During the event, an individual using a megaphone was captured on video making inflammatory remarks, including a call to deport “eight lakh Bharti” back to India. While some parts of the speech are difficult to understand due to audio quality, the demand for mass expulsion is clearly heard. The raw footage was provided to Hindustan Times and confirmed to be authentic by the person who recorded it.
The remarks have triggered widespread condemnation among Indo-Canadian leaders and groups. The Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce issued a strong statement warning of the dangers of such divisive rhetoric. “History teaches us that calls for mass expulsion leads to unthinkable acts. This dangerous rhetoric must be denounced by all leaders,” the group said.
Community leaders noted that Canada is home to approximately 1.8 million Indo-Canadians, with nearly 800,000 of them identifying as Hindus. They expressed concern that such speeches risk stirring unrest and threatening the social harmony that has defined the community for decades.
The Canadian Hindu Volunteers also responded firmly, stating, “These are not the actions of ‘activists’. These are the tactics of radicalised ideologues, many of whom have exploited Canada’s asylum and immigration systems, presenting false claims of persecution to enter the country and build networks that fund, promote, and glorify violence.”
They emphasized that the issue was not a clash between religious communities but rather the work of extremist elements. “Let us be clear: This is not a conflict between Sikhs and Hindus. Millions of Sikhs and Hindus live side by side in Canada and across the world in peace, brotherhood, and mutual respect,” the group said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Another group, the National Alliance of Indo-Canadians, urged Canadian leadership to take immediate action to address the growing extremism. The group called on Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to “nip this evil in the bud.”
This latest incident is not isolated, as such rhetoric has emerged repeatedly from radical elements in Canada. In August last year, during Toronto’s annual India Day parade, members of a pro-Khalistan group showed up at the site, shouting slogans like “Canadian Hindus go back to India.” The demonstration was part of what was referred to as a Khalistan Rally, and flyers distributed in the lead-up to the event framed the occasion as a confrontation between “Khalistan Sikhs” and “Canadian Hindus.”
More incendiary language was seen again in September 2023 when a video circulated widely showing Gurpatwant Pannun, legal counsel for the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice, urging Indo-Hindus to leave Canada. In the video, Pannun said, “Indo-Hindu leave Canada, go to India.” He continued, “You not only support India but you are also supporting the suppression of speech and expression of pro-Khalistan Sikhs.” Pannun further alleged that Hindus in Canada were “also promoting violence by celebrating” the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Nijjar, a prominent pro-Khalistan figure, was killed in Surrey, British Columbia on June 18, 2023. His death sparked an international diplomatic crisis when, three months later, then-Canadian Prime Minister publicly declared in the House of Commons that there were “credible allegations” suggesting the involvement of Indian government agents in the assassination. These allegations were firmly denied by New Delhi, which described them as “absurd” and “motivated.”
The incident led to a steep decline in India-Canada diplomatic relations, with both countries expelling senior diplomats and issuing travel advisories. The case intensified scrutiny of Canada’s handling of extremist elements operating within its borders and strained trade and political cooperation between the two nations.
The investigation into Nijjar’s killing resulted in the arrest of four Indian nationals, all of whom are of Sikh origin. They were charged in May of last year and are currently on trial in British Columbia. Canadian authorities have continued to maintain the validity of their case, although no further public details have been shared about the alleged foreign links.
Community leaders in Canada are now urging authorities at every level to confront the threats posed by such radical rhetoric and to protect the peace and inclusivity that defines Canadian society. Many have warned that continued inaction will only embolden extremist voices and risk social division in one of the world’s most diverse democracies.
While the Khalsa Day parade itself is an annual celebration that typically draws thousands of Sikhs from across Canada and beyond to mark the birth of the Khalsa in 1699, recent years have seen the event increasingly dominated by political messaging from pro-Khalistan elements. The presence of provocative banners, inflammatory speeches, and confrontational slogans has become a growing concern not just for Indo-Canadians but also for law enforcement and policymakers.
The broader Indo-Canadian community, including both Sikhs and Hindus, have consistently rejected extremist ideologies and emphasized the need for interfaith harmony. They continue to call on federal and provincial authorities to closely monitor such events and take appropriate action where necessary, including prosecuting hate speech and hate crimes under Canadian law.
The incident has reignited conversations about the balance between freedom of expression and public safety, particularly when messages cross into incitement and promote division along ethnic or religious lines. For many Canadians, the expectation is that all citizens, regardless of heritage, can live and worship in safety and dignity, free from fear and intimidation.
As the debate continues, the need for stronger community engagement, dialogue, and decisive action by political leaders grows more urgent. Only by addressing the roots of radicalization and standing firmly against calls for violence or exclusion can Canada preserve its multicultural values and national unity.