'Fake & shared to create disharmony': Govt debunks false anti-Sikh claims after India-Canada row over Nijjar killing

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegation of India’s potential link with Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Sing Nijjar’s assassination in June this year has triggered a deep rift between India and Canada, both countries expelling each other’s envoys. Amid escalating tensions between Ottawa and New Delhi, social media posts claiming that the Indian Army has been denying leaves to Sikh soldiers ever since Trudeau made those comments in the Canadian Parliament have been going viral. Press Information Bureau (PIB), however, has debunked the claim. Some people even said that Sikh security personnel at the Rashtrapati Bhavan have been replaced. “This claim is Fake & shared with intention to create disharmony,” a post by PIB on X read.

Claim: Following Sikh leader Hardeep Singh's assassination, Sikh security personnel at Rashtrapati Bhavan have been replaced & Army is denying leave to Sikh soldiers#PIBFactCheck

This claim is Fake & shared with intention to create disharmony

No such decisions have been taken pic.twitter.com/wF6bLOXrKK

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) September 19, 2023

The Indian Army, similarly, has dismissed such claims saying, “Fake messages are being spread on social media by inimical agents about soldiers of Indian Army, spreading rumours & hate-mongering."

#FakeNewsAlert#Beware

Fake messages are being spread on social media by inimical agents about soldiers of #IndianArmy, spreading rumours & hate-mongering.

Safeguard yourselves against such fake news. #IndianArmy pic.twitter.com/7q1icOPXdm

— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) September 19, 2023

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Meanwhile, India has issued an advisory for Indian nationals and students residing in Canada as well as those contemplating traveling to the country, asking them “to exercise utmost caution”. The advisory by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, has been issued in view of growing anti-India activities and politically condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada. “Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda. India nationals are, therefore, advised to avoid travelling to regions and protentional venues in Canada that have seen such incidents,” the advisory stated.