India, Canada expel diplomats over investigation into Sikh activist’s killing

India on Tuesday accused Canada of interfering in its internal affairs after Canada began airing allegations that the Indian government was connected to the assassination of a Sikh activist. Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot and killed in June outside a Sikh cultural center in British Columbia. On Monday, Canada expelled an Indian diplomat as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the government was investigating allegations that New Delhi was involved in Nijjar’s death. India expelled a senior Canadian diplomat on Tuesday. India denies any involvement in the assassination.

Who was the activist? Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, was a vocal supporter of establishing an independent homeland for the Sikh people called Khalistan. Sikhism is a monotheistic religion that began in India. The Sikhs mounted an armed insurgency in northern India in the 1980s in an attempt to gain independence. India considers the Khalistan movement a terrorist organization. 

Dig deeper: Read Bethel McGrew’s report in WORLD Magazine about how India’s “untouchables” find identity in Christ.