Watch: Canadian Parliament observes minute of silence for pro-Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar

The Canadian Parliament observed a minute of silence on Tuesday in memory of pro-Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, shot dead on June 18, 2023 by two unidentified men in the parking lot of a gurdwara in Surrey.

Near the end of the House of Commons on June 18, Speaker Greg Fergus rose to announce: “Following discussions between representatives of all parties in the House, I understand that there has been an agreement to observe a minute of silence commemorating Hardeep Singh Nijjar. , murdered in Surrey, British Columbia, one year ago today. »

Following this, the deputies stood up and observed a minute of silence. The Indian Express corroborated the video with official recordings of debates in the House of Commons, available on the ParlVu website.

The Canadian Parliament marked the first anniversary of the assassination of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar by observing a minute of silence in the House of Commons on Tuesday.

(Video source – Official website of the Canadian Parliament) pic.twitter.com/SGkovpiWXc

– IANS (@ians_india) June 19, 2024

Nijjar was the leader of a separatist organization, the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF). He was named among the ‘most wanted’ by the National Investigation Agency, which had declared a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh for Nijjar.

Canada has alleged India’s involvement in Nijjar’s killing, leading to diplomatic tensions between the two countries. Speaking in the House of Commons on September 18, 2023, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said“In recent weeks, Canadian security agencies have actively pursued credible allegations regarding a potential link between Indian government agents and the murder of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.” He added that “any involvement of a foreign government in the murder of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil constitutes an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty.”

India, for its part, has refuted these allegations. At the time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying: “We have seen and reject the Canadian Prime Minister’s statement to his Parliament, as well as the statement of his Foreign Minister… Allegations of Indian government involvement in every act. of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated. Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister and were completely dismissed.

Four Indian nationals arrested in connection with the assassination of Nijjar. India said it was awaiting details on the case.