Web of Deceit

In a disturbing and all-too-familiar trend, Indian media outlets, with their well-documented history of spreading disinformation, have once again unleashed a propaganda blitzkrieg, this time targeting Tariq Kiani, a Canadian-Pakistani businessman, and Rahat Rao, another prominent figure within the Canadian-Pakistani community. The recent article by Indian media channel News18, which labels these individuals as agents of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and implicates them in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, is not only a fabrication but also a dangerous diversionary from the actual motive and perpetrators of Nijjar’s assassination.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Khalistani activist, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023. His death sent shockwaves through the Sikh community in Canada and round the globe. It raised serious questions about the growing snobbishness of Indian intelligence in which it was undertaking operations beyond its borders. Contrary to the concocted narrative pushed by Indian media now, Nijjar’s murder was a calculated transborder operation carried out by rogue elements within Indian intelligence. This wasn’t an isolated incident; it was part of a broader strategy by India to eliminate voices of dissent, particularly those advocating for Sikh independence from India.

In the aftermath of Nijjar’s killing, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly raised the issue with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G20 Summit held in India last year. Trudeau’s concerns were not without solid proof. American intelligence agencies also affirmed that Indian operatives were involved in the assassination of Nijjar, recognizing it as an extrajudicial killing meant to silence a vocal critic of the Indian state. The sheer audacity of this operation reflects a growing hubris within the Indian establishment, emboldened by an increasingly aggressive and hegemonic mindset.

The allegations against Tariq Kiani and Rahat Rao are not just baseless; they are part of a larger, more insidious plan to divert attention from India’s own culpability. By concocting a narrative that pits these individuals as ISI operatives, involved in a narco trade supremacy struggle in that region, Indian intelligence and media are attempting to muddy the waters and shift the blame away from their own transgressions.

Tariq Kiani, a respected businessman, who owns Republic Plus TV in Canada, has been an active member of the Canadian-Pakistani community, contributing to cultural and social initiatives. His alleged involvement in Nijjar’s killing is nothing short of a misconstrued lie. The attack on his printing business in Surrey, as reported, appears to be part of a coordinated effort to discredit him and create a false link between him and the assassination.

Similarly, Rahat Rao, who runs a forex and hawala business in Surrey, has been unjustly implicated in this web of deceit. The narrative being spun around Rao, including the incident, where a chemical substance was allegedly hurled at him, is being used to paint him as a shadowy figure involved in illicit activities. However, these claims are yet another example of how Indian media, fueled by Government narratives, seeks to create enemies out of innocent individuals to suit their geopolitical agenda.

The assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar is indicative of a broader pattern, where India has increasingly resorted to extraterritorial operations to eliminate those who challenge its authority. This alarming trend is not only a violation of international law but also a direct assault on the sovereignty of other nations, like Canada, where these operations have taken place. The growing brazenness of these actions is a testament to the dangerous sense of misplaced superiority that has taken root within the Indian establishment, particularly under the current Government.

This hegemonic mindset is further evidenced by the Indian state’s attempts to suppress any form of dissent, whether it be within its own borders or abroad. By labeling pro-Khalistan activists as terrorists and launching covert operations against them, India is demonstrating its unwillingness to engage in dialogue or acknowledge the legitimate concerns of these communities. Instead, it opts for the brute force of intelligence operations to silence those it deems a threat.

It is imperative that the international community, particularly Canada and its allies, holds India accountable for its actions. The assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar and the subsequent smear campaign against Tariq Kiani and Rahat Rao are stark reminders of the lengths to which the Indian state is willing to go to maintain its grip on power and suppress dissent. The truth must prevail, and the real perpetrators of Nijjar’s murder must be brought to justice, rather than allowing innocent individuals to be scapegoated in a cynical game of geopolitical maneuvering. The world must see through the smoke and mirrors of Indian propaganda and stand up for justice and the rule of law.