Canada’s New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters

A day after Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) alleged that some Indian diplomats were involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist, Canadian Sikh leader Jagmeet Singh on Tuesday (October 15, 2024) demanded a ban on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and sanctions against the Indian diplomats.

Mr. Singh is the leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP) had in the past supported the ruling government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Also Read: Canada alleges extortion, homicide and violent acts by New Delhi, following mutual expulsion of diplomats 

India has denied the allegations and said that Canada is harbouring terrorist groups and promoting separatist activities.

The NDP leader, who is known for his pro-Khalistan stance, at a news conference in Ottawa requested an emergency meeting with the Public Security Committee to better understand if there are other steps they can take to protect the Canadians.

“We demand that the Liberal government implement severe sanctions on Indian diplomats and banish the RSS, a violent, militant, terrorist organization from India, which is a group that operates here in Canada and in other countries as well,” Mr. Singh said, a day after he was briefed by the Canadian government on its side of the allegations against India.

“The briefing confirmed what was shared publicly, that this is a very serious allegation. It confirmed some of the background of how we got here. Really what it highlighted is that we’ve got the Indian government, specifically the Modi government, that is engaged through diplomats in Canada, criminal elements that have then gone on to shoot at Canadian homes, to shoot at Canadian businesses, to kill Canadians. That is very serious,” he alleged.

“As the RCMP mentioned, the briefing also mentioned, that there are deep concerns for Canadian safety, and that’s why I really believe it is our responsibility if we believe in protecting our country, I love this country, we need to do everything possible to keep people safe and to keep our democracy safe,” he said.

“That’s why I’m committed to the actions that I’ve laid out, additional steps to see what we can do to keep Canadians safe by having an emergency meeting of the Public Safety Committee as well as making sure that we take steps to ban this extremist organization, the RSS, that comes from India, as well as making sure that we impose these severe sanctions on Indian diplomats,” he said.

“Are you being targeted?” he was asked.

“It’s not about me. This is about the fact that Canadians are a serious threat and serious risk. What the RCMP described is something that should be really troubling. When these acts of violence happen, if someone’s shooting, if an organized member of crime is being hired or being engaged by a diplomat, which just sounds incredibly disturbing. If that’s happening, that threatens everyone that lives in that community, everyone that lives in that neighbourhood. When businesses are being shot at, anyone that lives nearby, anyone that’s walking nearby, this is a threat to all Canadians. And it should be taken with the utmost seriousness,” he said.

Mr. Singh said “we need to work with our allies to put pressure on India”.

“We need to work with the United States. There’s similar scenarios that have played out in the United Kingdom. So, it’s clear that we need to work with our allies to put pressure on India. But there’s got to be accountability. The Indian government has to be held to account. The Modi government has to be held to account. We all need to be unified as Canadian leaders. All of us have to be united in denouncing Modi and making sure we protect Canadians and put their safety first and foremost,” he said.

Thiruvananthapuram:

A caste census – a major election issue and a repeat demand of the opposition, specifically the Congress-led INDIA bloc, and at least one of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s allies – is a “sensitive issue… to be dealt with very seriously and is not for election campaigning”, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the BJP’s ideological mentor, said at its Kerala conference.

Addressing the media Monday afternoon, on the first of a three-day coordination meeting in Palakkad district, the RSS threw down a veiled “we draw the line” warning to opposition leaders and parties aligned against the BJP, declaring “… should not be used as a political tool”.

“… we have already commented… this is a sensitive issue of caste and caste relations and should be dealt with very seriously. This is not just for election campaigning…” the RSS’ chief spokesperson, Sunil Ambekar, said.

“In cases where special attention is needed the government needs the numbers (the number of men, women, and children belonging to a given community). Then there is no problem… but it should be for welfare only. Should not be used as a political tool. We draw the line there,” Mr Ambekar said.

Promises to hold a nationwide caste census have featured in recent election manifestos and speeches of several opposition leaders, including the Congress’ Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party boss Akhilesh Yadav; last week Mr Gandhi emphasised the importance of such an exercise and said it is a necessary tool for effective policy-making and for an equitable society.

READ | Caste Census Needed For 90% Out Of System: Rahul Gandhi

“We cannot make policies for India’s reality without a caste census…” he said, “We want data… how many Dalits, OBCs, tribals, women, minorities, general caste people are there?”

Mr Gandhi also went head-to-head with BJP MP Anurag Thakur in Parliament on this topic.

During the session in July Mr Gandhi responded sharply to a jibe from the BJP leader, who said “he whose caste is unknown is talking about a census?” Rahul Gandhi waved aside the comment, inviting the former Union Minister to “insult me as much as you want”.

READ | “I’ll Keep Fighting”: Rahul Gandhi vs Anurag Thakur On Caste Jab

“… but don’t forget that we (the opposition) will get this bill passed…” he vowed.

Focus on a national caste census sharpened in November last year after Bihar’s ruling Janata Dal (United), then a member of the INDIA bloc – published the result of a statewide survey, which underlined the sharp divide in that state; released shortly before the April-June general election, the results showed over 80 per cent of Bihar’s population are from extremely backward classes.

Speaking after that report was released, the RSS said it welcomed “any affirmative action that is scientific and not conducted for electoral benefits… (but) to address disparity (in a Hindu society)”.

READ | “Welcome Any Scientific Exercise But…”: RSS’ Cautious Note On Caste Census

This was after one of its senior officials – Shridhar Gadge – declared his opposition to a caste census on grounds it may offer political benefit to “some people”, it had no practical use.

Since the Bihar report (and a similar exercise conducted in Andhra Pradesh) the Congress, and Mr Gandhi in particular, have pitched ferociously for a national caste count, arguing it is critical to help refine welfare schemes and identify gaps in equal representation for all at all levels of governance.

In April BJP chief JP Nadda underlined his party’s position on this issue, declaring it is “not against conducting a caste census” but not offering a roadmap for such an exercise. Mr Nadda did, though, attack the opposition over its demand, declaring they “want to divide the country”.

READ | “BJP Not Against Caste Census, Congress Wants It To Divide People”: JP Nadda

“Opposition is in disarray as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has changed the way politics is being done. Earlier it was based on caste, religion, region… and Congress pitted brother against brother,” the top BJP leader, whose party had previously opposed the exercise, said.

Cautious treading on this subject – after the Bihar report Home Minister Amit Shah also said the party had never actually opposed it – has been necessitated also rumbles from within its ruling alliance.

READ | Caste Census In Spotlight With Amit Shah Saying BJP Never Opposed

Union Minister Chirag Paswan, whose Lok Janshakti Party is allied with the BJP, has backed it, as has Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, whose Nationalist Congress Party is also an ally.

Support for a caste census from within Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JDU also appears to be gathering steam; this will be key since the JDU and its 12 Lok Sabha MPs is a key ally.

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New Delhi:

The RSS on Monday hailed the Centre’s move to lift the ban on government employees from participating in activities of the Sangh, saying the decision would strengthen the country’s democratic system. It also accused the earlier regimes of furthering their own political interests by imposing the ban in the past.

There have been multiple instances of the government barring its employees in the past from associating with the RSS.

A day after a government order became public about the ban being lifted and several opposition leaders criticised the move, RSS spokesperson Sunil Ambekar said in a statement, “The present decision of the government is appropriate and strengthens the democratic system of India.”

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has been continuously involved in the reconstruction of the nation and service to the society for the last 99 years, he added.

“Due to the contribution of the Sangh in national security, unity-integrity, and taking the society along during times of natural disaster, various types of leadership of the country have also praised the role of the Sangh from time to time.

“Due to its political interests, the then government had baselessly banned the government employees from participating in the activities of a constructive organisation like the Sangh,” the statement said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)