NORTH NEWS
NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 25
India’s former High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, cautioned Indian students in Canada to remain vigilant against radicalization efforts by terrorists and extremists. Verma urged parents to stay connected with their children, advising them to guide students away from unwise choices.
Speaking to the news outlet NDTV, Verma described how Khalistani groups, exploiting the Canadian economic downturn and job scarcity, attract Indian students with offers of money or food. “This is how Khalistani extremists attempt to influence students with harmful agendas,” Verma explained, noting the impact on Canada’s Indian student population, which reached 319,000 in 2023.
Verma revealed that students are sometimes encouraged to stage protests with anti-India sentiments outside Indian diplomatic sites, photograph these actions, and later seek asylum, alleging potential reprisal if they return to India. He emphasized the need for awareness among students and their families.
Verma’s comments come as India-Canada relations remain strained. The diplomatic rift began after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s claims, in September last year, of “credible allegations” of India’s involvement in the assassination of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Verma, also recounted a chilling encounter with Khalistani assailants in Alberta. “Yes, a couple of times they came very close to causing me bodily harm… They were carrying a sword—not a Kirpan… When I was in Alberta, a sword came within 2-2.5 inches of my body,” Verma shared, reflecting on the frightening incident.
