Canadian police have arrested a prominent figure in the Khalistani movement and a central organizer for the US-based group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), Inderjit Singh Gosal.
Gosal, 36, emerged as a key player in SFJ’s Canadian operations following the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June 2023. Nijjar had previously led the group’s activities in Canada before his assassination.
Gosal first came under police scrutiny in November 2023 after a violent incident at a Hindu temple in the Greater Toronto Area. He was accused of attacking Hindu-Canadian worshippers during a consular event but was released on conditions by Peel Regional Police.
Considered a close ally of SFJ’s general counsel, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun — designated a terrorist by India — Gosal has been described as one of the organisation’s leading operatives in Canada. He was also among 13 Canadian nationals warned by law enforcement of threats linked to Khalistan-related violence.
Following the Brampton temple attack, SFJ claimed Gosal had been a victim rather than an aggressor. Reports indicated that Indian officials, including consular staff, were present during the protest, further straining already tense relations between New Delhi and Ottawa.
In a recent interview, Gosal reiterated his commitment to the separatist cause, declaring that he was prepared to die in pursuit of an independent Sikh state. The Khalistan movement, rooted in grievances that intensified after the 1984 anti-Sikh violence, continues to cast a shadow over India-Canada relations.
