If India ordered the killing of a Sikh leader in Canada, the world must act | Prabjot Singh

Sikh dissidents expressing their support for an independent state face increasing risks. It is time to stand up to India

Watching news of Justin Trudeau's explosive statement about intelligence indicating Indian involvement in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar did not shock those familiar with India's security and intelligence operations. Friends and family of Sikh activists regularly express concern about our wellbeing due to a fear of being surveilled by Indian agents, and ultimately being subject to some form of violent reprisal.

The statements made in Canada's parliament were finally an acknowledgement of the reality that young Sikhs like me have lived through for decades: Sikh dissidents expressing their support for an independent state may face the risk of imminent harm, even in the diaspora.

Prabjot Singh is a lawyer and founding editor of the Panth-Punjab Project