The pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has issued a provocative call to “siege” the Indian Consulate in Vancouver on September 18, 2025, amidst escalating tensions between India and Canada. This announcement follows the strained diplomatic relations between the two countries after the assassination of prominent Khalistani figure, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in 2023.
SFJ’s threat, which was made public via a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), advises Indo-Canadians to avoid visiting the consulate on the specified date. The group also circulated a disturbing poster of India’s newly appointed High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, with a target on his face. This has raised serious concerns about the safety of Indian diplomats in Canada.
The SFJ has long accused Indian consulates in Canada of being involved in espionage activities targeting Khalistani activists. The group referenced Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 2023 statements in Parliament, where he stated that Indian agents were under investigation for their role in Nijjar’s murder. SFJ claims that despite the investigation, Indian consulates continue to harass and surveil members of the Khalistan movement.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has previously provided witness protection to Inderjeet Singh Gosal, who took over the Khalistan Referendum campaign after Nijjar’s assassination, due to threats on his life. This planned siege only adds to the ongoing concerns of violence and intimidation faced by Khalistani activists.
This move by SFJ is likely to further strain diplomatic relations between India and Canada, already under pressure due to accusations of espionage and extrajudicial killings. The situation remains fluid, with authorities on both sides monitoring developments closely.
