A new wave of concern has emerged in Canada after a British Columbia Sikh activist said police warned him of an “imminent” threat to his life, reviving public attention around safety, foreign interference, and the protection of community voices.
Narinder Singh Randhawa says officers from Surrey police contacted him over the weekend and issued what is commonly known as a “duty to warn” notice. According to his sworn statement, police told him the threat was serious enough that they could not wait for an in-person meeting and instead delivered the warning by phone.
Randhawa, a visible organizer in pro-Khalistan rallies since at least 2023, said officers later informed him that the concern involved information shared by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He said no further details were provided about the source of the threat or who may be behind it.
The case arrives against the backdrop of the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a gurdwara in Surrey, an incident that deeply impacted Sikh communities across Canada and triggered diplomatic tensions between Canada and India.
Nijjar had also been connected to referendum events and activism that drew participation in cities including Brampton, where large Sikh populations have remained engaged in conversations around identity, justice, and civil rights. For many residents in Brampton and across the GTA, developments like this resonate beyond headlines because they involve families, community institutions, and questions of public safety at home.
Surrey police have not confirmed the specific warning, citing policy around such notices. However, Randhawa has publicly stated he believes his activism and participation in protests may be linked to the threats. He also said the warning will not deter him from continuing his advocacy.
The incident is likely to renew calls for stronger safeguards for activists, clearer communication from authorities, and continued vigilance against intimidation of any community member exercising democratic freedoms in Canada.
As national conversations continue around security and foreign influence, this latest warning is a reminder that public safety is not only about borders and laws—it is also about ensuring people can speak, organize, and live without fear.