Amarinder also shared past tensions during his tenure as Punjab CM, when he refused to meet Trudeau’s Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan over alleged links to anti-India groups. (Express Archives)
Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh strongly criticised Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau following clashes at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton amid a visit by Indian High Commission officials, alleging he has compromised Canada’s international credibility by pandering to separatist elements for political gain.
“It’s rare for two nations, friends for decades, to reach this point,” Amarinder said, referring to the deteriorating ties between India and Canada. He recalled that Trudeau accused India of involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan activist, without concrete evidence. “This violates the sanctity of Parliament, where a prime ministerial statement is taken as ‘the truth and nothing but the truth.’ Are electoral gains more important than age-old relationships?” he asked.
Amarinder also shared past tensions during his tenure as Punjab CM, when he refused to meet Trudeau’s Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan over alleged links to anti-India groups. Trudeau later visited Punjab under pressure from India’s then-External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. Amarinder said he raised Punjab’s concerns over Canada’s alleged support for Khalistani activists and handed Trudeau a list of 20 separatists, some even in his cabinet. “Rather than addressing these issues, their activities have intensified,” he said, adding that Canada seems to have forgotten past acts of terrorism, including the Kanishka bombing.
“There’s a perception that Trudeau is using Punjabis to sustain his government, but this has diminished his support both in Canada and India,” Amarinder noted, adding that he hoped the upcoming Canadian elections would lead to leadership more committed to fostering Indo-Canadian ties. “One ambitious man shouldn’t be able to rock a stable friendship of decades,” he said.
BJP minister says Canada has ‘lost credibility’
Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu condemned the Brampton clashes, saying that pro-Khalistani slogans at the temple tarnish Canada’s reputation. He accused Trudeau of fostering division among the Indian community in Canada, suggesting Canadian police are sympathetic towards these groups. Bittu further alleged that pro-Khalistani elements were on the payroll of the Canadian government. He added that India stands firmly with peace-loving Hindus and Sikhs in Canada and will address the issue with Canada’s leadership.
Shiromani Akali Dal spokesperson Daljeet Singh Cheema urged both governments to address the diplomatic strains, saying the Brampton incidents are deeply troubling to the Punjabi diaspora. He emphasised that both countries should act to prevent forces that seek to spread hatred, warning against religious divides.
AAP flays incident
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has strongly condemned the attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada, allegedly carried out by members of a pro-Khalistani organisation. AAP leader and Punjab government minister Aman Arora said that all of Punjab is shocked by this incident and believes it deserves the utmost condemnation.
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Arora emphasised that Punjab is a secular state where violence based on religion has no place. He noted that even during the dark days of terrorism in the 1980s and 90s, there was no religiously motivated violence. Hindus and Sikhs in Punjab live together like family and have coexisted peacefully.
He added that Punjab is known for its brotherhood and social harmony, and that people from all communities are distressed by this incident. Arora urged the Indian government to address the issue with the Canadian government to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.
Friends of Canada and India condemn violence
Maninder Gill, president of the Surrey-based Friends of Canada and India Foundation, strongly condemned this violence. “It is very unfortunate. We should maintain peace and harmony among ourselves and not let violence hijack it.”
He rued that some elements had tried to disrupt consular camps for distributing life certificates at Swaminarayan temple and Khalsa Diwan Society gurdwara, Ross street, Surrey, late last week.
Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India.
Professional Background
Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state.
Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions.
Special Projects:
Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship.
Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government:
1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs
"Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA.
"Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor.
"Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas.
2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls
"Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections.
"AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections.
"Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership.
3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy
"Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government.
"Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP.
4. Welfare & Economy
"Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program.
"Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025).
Signature Beat
Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens.
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