'The Washington Post' report accuses Amit Shah of authorising attacks on Sikh separatists
New Delhi: Canadian and US reports have alleged that India's Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, authorised intelligence-gathering operations and attacks on Sikh separatists in Canada. These allegations emerged following Canadian police's purported collaboration with the US in gathering evidence. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cited "clear and compelling evidence" of Indian involvement in covert actions targeting Sikh separatists.
According to The Wire, which referenced a report from the Washington Post, Canadian officials provided this evidence to the Indian government, implicating Shah and a senior official from the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). The information was shared during a confidential meeting between Canadian officials and India’s National Security Adviser, Ajit Doval, in Singapore on 12 October.
The report claims that the evidence is based on texts and conversations involving expelled Indian diplomats, though the accuracy of these details remains uncertain. Canada had previously requested the lifting of diplomatic immunity for further questioning, a request that India denied, resulting in the expulsion of six diplomats, including India’s High Commissioner to Canada.
This escalation follows Trudeau's earlier accusation that Indian agents were involved in the June 2023 killing of Khalistan advocate Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Initially, Trudeau cited "credible intelligence" but has since expressed stronger confidence in the claims.
The latest accusations involving Shah suggest a higher level of involvement within the Indian government. Indian officials have yet to respond, and former diplomats have voiced surprise at the idea of a senior minister being directly involved in such operations. Some retired intelligence officers have also questioned whether these activities fall within Shah’s jurisdiction.
The allegations draw parallels to previous accusations against Shah, notably from his tenure as Gujarat’s home minister, where he faced charges over extrajudicial killings. He was later acquitted after Narendra Modi became prime minister.
Canadian authorities are believed to have gathered more evidence, potentially with US assistance, linking the Indian government to an assassination plot targeting a Khalistan advocate in New York. The alleged plot has led to charges against an Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, for attempted murder.
Canada has also accused India of outsourcing attacks on Sikh separatists to criminal gangs, including the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
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Punishment for those disrupting assembly proceedings, warns Speaker UT Khader
Belagavi: Speaker U.T. Khader on Friday warned that members who disrupt Assembly proceedings by talking in their seats during debates will be made to sit in the House for an entire day as a disciplinary measure.
The warning came after the Question Hour, when Deputy Leader of the Opposition Arvind Bellad was permitted to initiate a discussion on the development of North Karnataka.
At this point, expelled BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal objected, stating that he had been seeking a debate for the past three days but had not been given an opportunity.
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Responding to the objection, Speaker Khader said Bellad had already been granted permission and assured Yatnal that he would be allowed to speak at the next opportunity. He noted that even as a serious discussion was underway, several MLAs were speaking among themselves with their microphones on, disrupting the proceedings.
Expressing displeasure over the conduct of members, Khader likened the situation to football, where players receive red, yellow, or white cards for violations. Similarly, he said, the Assembly issues warning cards to members who disturb the House. If they fail to correct themselves despite repeated warnings, they would be required to remain seated in the Assembly hall for a full day as punishment, he stated.
