Posters are handed out as people participate in a protest organized by Sikh groups against the visit of Indian PM Narendra Modi to Canada for the G7 Summit in Ottawa, on Saturday, June 14, 2025. The Canadian Press.
More than 100 Sikh activists gathered in downtown Calgary on Monday to protest Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Canada. The demonstration came ahead of the G7 leaders' summit, where Modi was expected as a guest.
Holding bright blue and yellow Khalistan flags, protesters waved signs and chanted slogans denouncing Modi. Several posters portrayed the Indian leader in a prison jumpsuit, with one reading: “I killed Nijjar, a Canadian citizen.”
The protest was part of a coordinated action by pro-Khalistan activists determined to spotlight alleged human rights abuses by the Indian government.
G7 Summit Invite Sparks Outrage in Sikh Community
Modi's invitation to the G7 summit by Prime Minister Mark Carney has triggered sharp backlash. Protesters viewed it as a disregard for the Sikh community's concerns.
Bakshish Singh Sandhu, co-founder of Sikhs for Justice, called the visit a chance to highlight what he described as Modi’s “crimes against humanity.”
“This is a moment for the G7 to hold India accountable,” Sandhu said. “We’re urging them to demand a Khalistan referendum to let Punjab decide its future freely.”
Protesters Call for Global Accountability
Protesters hope their message reaches global leaders. The demonstration was livestreamed to the summit venue in Kananaskis, located west of Calgary.
“Canada gave Sikhs this rare opportunity to confront Modi directly,” said protester Kuljeet Singh. “Even though India isn’t a G7 member, international pressure can still be applied.”
He added, “This is our chance to ask the tough questions and demand justice for activists worldwide.”
Old Wounds, Fresh Tensions
The call for Khalistan, a separate Sikh state in India, has long strained India’s relations with Sikh communities abroad. That tension escalated after allegations linking Modi’s government to coercive actions in Canada.
In 2023, then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian agents of involvement in the murder of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, B.C. Last fall, the RCMP reinforced those claims, citing evidence of coercion and extortion linked to Indian officials.
Multiple Protests, One Message
Monday’s protest at Calgary city hall was one of three permitted protest zones in Calgary and Banff. Authorities encouraged demonstrators to use these designated areas to avoid arrest or disruptions.
Elsewhere in Banff, smaller protest groups also gathered. Some carried Ukrainian flags, condemning Russia’s invasion. Others opposed Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Climate activists raised signs warning against the fossil fuel industry, including slogans like “Oil and Gas Doesn’t Love You Back.”
Security Tightens Around Summit
Carney, who is hosting the G7 summit, defended the decision to invite Modi. He argued that India’s growing global influence made it essential to include the country’s leadership.
Still, not everyone agreed. The federal NDP and several members of Carney’s own caucus raised objections, pointing to Modi’s controversial record on civil liberties.
Security remains tight in and around Kananaskis. A wide perimeter has been sealed off, and no-fly zones are in effect. RCMP, provincial forces, Indigenous security teams, and the Canadian Armed Forces are all involved in maintaining safety during the summit.
