Petition asks feds to look into Sikh activist’s killing in Surrey

Hundreds of people came together to rally outside Vancouver's Indian consulate for the late Hardeep Singh Nijjar who was gunned down in Surrey last week. Angela Bower has more.

By Sonia Aslam and Hana Mae Nassar

Posted July 31, 2023 8:53 am.

Last Updated July 31, 2023 8:54 am.

The Surrey temple where a prominent Sikh activist was shot and killed last month, has filed a petition to get Ottawa to respond to allegations of foreign interference in his death.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar was identified as the victim of the June 18 shooting. Police received reports of the incident in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara on 120 Street near 70 Avenue just before 8:30 p.m.

The 45-year-old was found inside a vehicle with gunshot wounds, and died of his injuries at the scene.

Nijjar, who was the temple’s president, was a vocal advocate for an independent Sikh state of Khalistan in India, where he was accused of terrorism and conspiring to murder a Hindu priest.

Homicide investigators previously said Nijjar’s death appeared to be targeted, though a motive was not identified.

“Nijjar was an upright, god fearing, law abiding and peaceful member of the Canadian Sikh community with no involvement in any criminal activity, he served his community with dedication and tirelessly as President of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara and Chief Coordinator of Canadian Chapter of Global Khalistan Referendum,” the petition reads, in part.

“Nijjar’s assassination has not only caused irreparable loss to the Sikh community but it has also raised serious concerns which warrant immediate and utmost attention of the Canadian Government at the highest level,” it continues, adding, “This matter needs to be investigated thoroughly in order to ensure the safety of all Canadians.”

The petition had garnered more than 900 signatures as of Monday morning. The government has 45 days to respond.

The office of the Public Safety minister says it’s “not appropriate to comment” because the investigation is ongoing.

Many gathered in the wake of Nijjar’s death to pay their respects. His killing has prompted a widespread and divisive response, including an emotional one from police and B.C.’s premier.

Mourners gather for the funeral of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, B.C. on Sunday June 25th, 2023. (OMNI / CityNews Image)

Premier David Eby said in the days following the shooting that the incident raised concerns about safety.

“When I look at the speculation that’s happening right now about the motivation behind the shooting and why it happened and all these kinds of things, I think it’s important to have confidence in the police investigation,” stressed Eby. “We don’t want people with access to guns that are willing to engage in violence like this to be in our community. So, finding those people, getting them arrested, and getting them behind bars is a huge priority.”

Surrey-Newton MP Sukh Dhaliwal said the fatal shooting also prompted a meeting with then-Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino and members of the Sikh Liberal caucus.

In a tweet, Dhaliwal said the caucus members were assured the federal government was working closely with law enforcement to solve the crime and protect the Sikh community and Canadians.

Mendicino, who has since been replaced in the public safety file during a recent cabinet shuffle, said on Twitter he was “disturbed” by the violence at the Surrey temple, saying all Canadians should be able to practice their faith safely and free from violence.

-With files from The Canadian Press

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