INDIAN GROUP IN CANADA TO TARGET POLITICIANS WITH PROKHALISTAN TILT

: An influential segment of the Indian community in Canada is attempting to forge a coherent strategy to target politicians pandering to separatist elements espousing the proKhalistan viewpoint.

The effort, both at the federal and provincial levels, marks the first time the broader Indian community is trying to make its presence felt in the nation’s politics.

Sikhs in Canada have already had significant success in the arena.

This initiative has been precipitated by a number of developments in recent months, including the passage of a resolution in the Ontario Assembly this April, which termed the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India a “genocide”.

With elections in Ontario due next year, the initiative will provide an opportunity to try and counter politicians who have fostered the Khalistani narrative.

Ajit Someshwar, one of the prominent figures behind this effort, said, “We are going to single out those active anti-India campaigners and support their opponents regardless of party.”

A slate of measures in this regard include funding for candidates who do not support separatists and withdrawing funds from those that do.

The preferred candidates, regardless of political party, may also be assisted in other ways, including help with staffing campaigns.