Sikh activist in Canada finally gets visa after 38 years as part of Canadian PM’s delegation

Trudeau in Amritsar: WSO is the organisation whichAmarinder Singh had accused Canadian minister Harjit Sajjan of having links with to push for the demand of a separate Khalistan.

3 min readAmritsarFeb 22, 2018 02:23 AM IST

Allegedly denied Indian visa seven times, Paramjit Singh Randhawa, a Canada-based businessman and supporter of World Sikh Organisation (WSO), finally entered the country as part of the delegation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after a gap of 38 years.

WSO is the organisation which Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh had accused Canadian minister Harjit Sajjan of having links with to push for the demand of a separate Khalistan.

Talking to The Indian Express, Randhawa said, “I went to Canada legally in 1980 along with my parents. I was trying to settle in Canada when Operation Blue Star happened. It was a big shock for us. Operation Blue Star was followed by grave human rights violations in Punjab and we got active to raise our voice against the same. Since then, I have been working to get justice for the community and also became a supporter of WSO.”

“I applied for a visa to visit India seven times in the last 38 years, but it was refused. My mother was on a visit to India in 2001 when she died. Many Shiromani Akali Dal leaders, including MPs Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Ranjit Singh Brahmpura, attempted to clear my visa application so that I could come and attend the cremation and bhog ceremony of my mother. We also delayed the bhog ceremony in the hope to get a visa, but I couldn’t get it,” he said.

“As Trudeau was planning visit to India, member of the Canadian Parliament from my constituency Richmond Joe Peschisolido sent my name in the list of delegates. Finally, I got visa on arrival for 60 days after landing in Delhi along with delegation,” said Randhawa, who is from Thru village in district Tarn Taran.

“I directly went to the cremation ground after visiting my village to see where my mother was cremated 18 years back. There have been many like me who haven’t visited India because they would not get visa due to voice raised by them against human rights violations in Punjab,” Randhawa said.

“WSO has worked very hard for the rights for Sikhs in Canada. It was WSO which convinced the Canada government to allow Sikhs to carry kirpan at public places. Kundan Singh Sajjan, father of Harjit Singh Sajjan, has also remained associated with WSO. Kundan Singh was also president of Chief Khalsa Diwan Society which was founded in 1908 by Gadaris to free India from the British. I am not member of WSO, but a supporter,” he said.

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On what the Indian government can do to break ice with activists like him in Canada, Randhawa said, “Canada has given respect and justice to Sikhs. Sikhs never get justice in India. If the Indian government can provide justice to Sikhs for what happened in 1984, it will melt the ice. All we need is justice.”

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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