Amit Shah authorised actions to "intimidate or kill" Sikh separatists in Canada: Canadian Minister
Ottawa: Amid heightened diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, Canadian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, David Morrison, alleged that Indian Union Home Minister Amit Shah authorised actions to "intimidate or kill" Sikh separatists in Canada, as reported by CBC News. The statement came during a hearing of Canada’s Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security on October 31, which focused on “electoral interference and criminal activities in Canada by agents of the Government of India.”
Morrison’s remarks follow accusations by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) that Indian officials, including diplomats and consular staff, gathered intelligence on Sikh separatists, allegedly sharing this information with “criminal organisations” tasked with carrying out violent acts. RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme stated that credible threats had been identified against several members of the South Asian community in Canada, primarily those supporting the Khalistan movement, which seeks to establish an independent Sikh state.
The controversy around these allegations intensified in September when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed Parliament, claiming credible intelligence linking Indian agents to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Khalistan supporter, in June 2023. India has denied these claims, branding them as “absurd and motivated,” and has accused Canada of sheltering individuals threatening India's sovereignty. Following the escalation, both countries expelled multiple diplomats, further straining relations.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
