A banned Khalistani group has issued a fresh threat against Indian diplomats in Canada. Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) announced it will stage a “siege” of the Indian Consulate in Vancouver on 18 September.

SFJ Announces Consulate Siege

Firstly, the US-based group declared it would take control of the consulate on Thursday. It also urged Indo-Canadians to reschedule their visits and avoid the consulate that day.

Additionally, SFJ released a poster showing India’s High Commissioner to Ottawa, Dinesh Patnaik, with a target on his face. The group accused Indian consulates of spying on Khalistan supporters and tracking their activities.

Reference to Trudeau’s 2023 Statement

In its statement, SFJ linked the planned protest to a previous claim made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. It said, “Two years ago — 18 September 2023 — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Parliament that the Indian agents’ role was under investigation in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Two years on, Indian Consulates continue to run a spy network and surveillance targeting Khalistan Referendum campaigners.”

RCMP Provides Witness Protection

Moreover, SFJ claimed that threats to its members had grown so serious that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) provided witness protection to Inderjeet Singh Gosal.

Gosal became the leader of the Khalistan Referendum campaign after Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing in June 2023.

Group Demands Accountability

Through the planned “siege,” SFJ said it will demand accountability for what it calls “espionage and intimidation on Canadian soil.” However, India’s Ministry of External Affairs and the Vancouver Consulate have not yet commented on the threat.

Recent Report Warns of Extremist Funding

Significantly, this threat comes weeks after a Canadian government report flagged foreign funding for Khalistani extremist groups. The “2025 Assessment of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risks in Canada” identified Babbar Khalsa International and the International Sikh Youth Federation among those receiving external support.

Violence and Misuse of Non-Profit Groups

According to the report, these groups continue to push for an independent state in Punjab through violent means. It added that they often exploit non-profit organizations to raise and move funds.

While most Canadian NPOs are low-risk, the report noted that a small number have been misused by extremist elements.

Shift to Smaller Networks

Furthermore, the report highlighted a change in the way Khalistani extremists operate. They now work through smaller, scattered networks instead of large, structured organizations. Yet, they continue to collect funds through diaspora communities worldwide.