An immigration tribunal in Canada has made a ruling permitting the entry of a Sikh man who, according to a recent media report, provided shelter and sustenance to Khalistani militants in India over a span of a decade. The decision was based on the assertion that he primarily did so out of necessity and due to apprehensions of facing retribution.
The Immigration and Refugee Board tribunal member, Heidi Worsfold, maintained that the government lacked substantial grounds to deem Kamaljit Ram, an Indian citizen, inadmissible to Canada. This determination hinged on the belief that he had extended a "safe house" and "logistical support" to Khalistani militants.
The immigration tribunal's decision highlighted that the Sikh man who offered shelter and sustenance to armed Khalistani militants in India for over a decade should be allowed into Canada. It underscored that his actions were predominantly motivated by necessity and a fear of facing consequences, as per the report.
The initial verdict to bar Ram from entering Canada was delivered by the federal government, following his admission to Canada Border Services Agency officers during an interview. He disclosed that he had sporadically provided refuge and sustenance to armed Sikh militants at his farm in India between 1982 and 1992.
Worsfold found that the government had overstepped its bounds in evaluating Ram's support for the armed militants during that period. Notably, the government failed to acknowledge that he repeatedly expressed that he had agreed to host these armed individuals because he was concerned about the potential repercussions of being on the opposing side of the group.
This ruling comes in the midst of an ongoing diplomatic standoff between India and Canada. The dispute was triggered by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of possible involvement by Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia. India categorically refuted these claims, deeming them "absurd" and "motivated."
Najjar was killed by two masked assailants, and India had designated him as a terrorist in 2020. In response, India has urged Canada to take decisive action against terrorists and anti-India elements operating within its territory.
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