Journalists reporting against Khalistan groups under attack in Canada: Indian-origin MP

A Canadian Member of Parliament Chandrakanth Chandra Arya has raised the issue of attacks on journalists who report on Khalistani extremism in Canada.

Arya, a Liberal, who had earlier raised concerns on fear among Hindu settlers in Canada after the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, cited incidents of attacks on journalists, mostly of Indian origin only.

Calling the Canadian government to deal the situation with an iron hand ‘before it is too late’, Arya said, “I call on law enforcement agencies to take notice of Khalistani extremism with all seriousness it deserves.”

He said a few days ago, Rishi Nagar of Red FM Calgary was severely attacked. “Earlier, in March 2023 Sameer Kaushal of Radio AM600, Richmond, BC, was assaulted for covering a Khalistan protest,” he said in his statement.

Claiming more incidents, he said in February 2022, Brampton radio host Deepak Punj was attacked in his studio for criticizing Khalistan-related violence. Besides him, anti-terrorism investigative journalist Mocha Bezirgan has received death threats for reporting on Khalistani extremism.

Arya, who hails from Dwaralu, Karnataka, has remained in news for his strong comments besides being the first MP to speak in Kannada-his mother tongue- in the House of Commons.

He had criticised a filmmaker for a controversial poster of Goddess Kali. Filmmaker Leena Manimekalai protested and wrote a letter saying Arya had legitimised threats against her.

Arya was once accused of raising the flag of Hindu organisation Rashtriya SwayamSewak Sangh (RSS) in the Parliament.

In 2022 November, he had moved a Bill to mark the month of November as Hindu heritage month due to celebration of several Hindu festivals in this period.