With respect to the Sikh community, over the past several days, Punjab has been pushed into a human rights crisis. Internet services and SMS messaging have been shut down, civil liberties have been suspended and mass censorship has taken place of journalists, organizations and citizens. Indian security forces and the Punjab Government have enacted these measures to crack down on Sikh activists across the state, particularly those involved with the Waris Punjab De (Heirs of Punjab) organization led by Bhai Amritpal Singh.
Amritpal Singh, recently came to prominence in Punjab with his successful campaign to inspire Punjabi youth to reject drugs and embrace the Sikh faith. Amritpal Singh had also been open and unapologetic in his support for Khalistan, a sovereign Sikh state, as well as highlighting discrimination against the Sikh community in India.
While hundreds of Sikh activists have been taken into custody, authorities claim Amritpal Singh has still evaded arrest. Family and those close to him however, claim he has been in police custody since March 18 and fear he may be murdered in a false encounter.
It is clear to us that with the widespread human rights violations taking place in India, the Government of India lacks the credibility and moral authority to hold the presidency of the G20 and to host G20 countries. It would send the wrong message for Canada to attend G20 meetings in India.