Thousands attend funeral of slain Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, BC

Thousands attended the funeral of slain Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Sunday at the gurdwara where he was shot a week earlier in Surrey, B.C.

His death has sparked fear and outrage in much of BC’s Sikh community.

Nijjar, 45, was shot dead in his truck on June 18 in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, of which he was president.

He had been very active with Sikhs for Justice, a group advocating for Khalistan, an independent Sikh state from what is now India.

“For a Sikh, their gurdwaras are a place of worship, community,” said Jatinder Singh Grewal, a director of Sikhs for Justice, outside the gurdwara in an interview with CBC News.

“Attacking the president against the gurdwara is a message that they will attack us everywhere… We will attack you at the center of your identity.”

Many who attended Sunday’s funeral waved yellow “Khalistan” flags as Nijjar’s loved ones and associates spoke of the aspirations of his movement – which India has labeled as extremist.

Supporters who paid their respects, including some Sikhs who came from outside the province, described the father as peaceful, humble and loved in the community.

“It was very important for me to bring my family and my children here,” Aakarshan Singh, flanked by his two sons, told CBC News. “[Nijjar] really championed the cause of human rights, and he made a great contribution to society. He’s been a huge help to the community during COVID times, and he was really ripped away from us.

“In the future, we will not be afraid; we will speak our minds.”

A memorial has been erected in the gurdwara parking lot at the place where Nijjar was killed.

Investigators from the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team have said they are still looking for two “heavier” male suspects in the shooting.

Many attendees at Sunday’s funeral said they believe Nijjar’s death is the result of foreign interference from India.

While police have acknowledged allegations of interference stemming from the attack, investigators said they have found no such link to India at this time and believe there is no danger to Canada’s wider Sikh community.

A report released earlier this month by Canada’s National Security Advisor identified India as a key player in foreign interference, including election interference and social media disinformation campaigns.

“There is a long history of violence against Sikhs in India,” Grewal said. “As a result, Sikhs come to Canada for asylum or as refugees.

“But now many Sikhs are worried.”

Nijjar was organizing an unofficial referendum for an independent Sikh state at the time of this death. His supporters claim he was targeted as a result of that political organization.

The Indian government had offered a reward of one million rupees or about $16,000 last July for information that could lead to Nijjar’s arrest or detention. Hindu priest.

However, none of those allegations were tested in court, nor were there any criminal charges against him in this case.

CBC News has reached out to CSIS and the Consulate General of India for comment on Nijjar’s death.

India’s National Investigation Agency accused Nijjar in a 2020 document of “trying to incite Sikhs to vote for secession”.

Sunday’s funeral was followed by a private family gathering at Valley View Funeral Home, also in Surrey. Hundreds of mourners marched the five kilometers from Nijjar’s gurdwara to the funeral home.