Rao, a prominent figure in the Canadian community, was actively involved in protests following the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani terrorist, in June 2022.

Nijjar was shot and killed outside a gurdwara in Surrey. He had been listed as a designated terrorist by the Indian government, along with 40 others.

The incident sparked a diplomatic row between India and Canada after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged in September 2022 that Indian government agents may have been involved in Nijjar’s killing.

India strongly denied the allegations, calling them “absurd” and “motivated.”

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The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is currently investigating Nijjar’s death.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and authorities are investigating the incident.