Go Back to India Chants: Brampton Sikh-Hindu Divide Deepens Over Khalistan Issue
Sikh-Hindu Tensions Surface in Brampton as Khalistan Protestors Disrupt Republic Day Event
Protestors demand independent Sikh state, tell Hindus to “go back to India.”
A peaceful India Republic Day celebration in Brampton turned tense yesterday as a group of Sikh protestors demanding an independent Khalistan state confronted attendees, shouting slogans and telling Hindus to “go back to India.”
The incident occurred outside the Pearson Convention Centre on Steeles Avenue, where approximately 50 protestors gathered, waving flags and banners advocating for Khalistan—a proposed independent homeland for Sikhs in India’s Punjab region. Videos from the scene captured protestors chanting, “Canadian Hindus go back to India,” as they targeted those inside the venue celebrating Republic Day, a national holiday marking India’s transition to a republic in 1950.
The protest highlights the deep-rooted tensions between some members of the Sikh and Hindu communities in Canada, particularly in Brampton, where clashes over the Khalistan issue have intensified over the past year. The Khalistan movement, which seeks independence from India, has long been a contentious topic, with many Hindus supporting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s opposition to the separatist cause.
The protestors’ actions have sparked outrage among some community members, who view the disruption as an attack on their cultural celebrations. “Republic Day is about unity and pride in our heritage,” said one attendee who wished to remain anonymous. “It’s disappointing to see such division within our own community here in Canada.”
The Khalistan issue has followed immigrants from India to Canada, where it has become a flashpoint for protests and demonstrations. Brampton, home to a large South Asian diaspora, has been a focal point for these tensions, with previous incidents involving clashes between Sikh and Hindu groups.
Community leaders are calling for calm and dialogue to address the underlying issues. “We need to find ways to coexist peacefully and respect each other’s perspectives,” said a local organizer. “Canada is our home, and we must work together to build bridges, not walls.”