The demonstration, organised by the Khalistan advocacy group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), was described in a media advisory as a “historic protest” against India’s intelligence networks.

According to the advisory, the Indian consulate in Vancouver was placed under “siege” after five pro-Khalistan Singhs performed Ardas (a Sikh prayer).

Protesters claimed the move was aimed at exposing what they called “R&AW-backed assassination plots” allegedly directed by the Modi government.

The group further alleged that India brands the Khalistan movement as “terrorist,” while “the real terrorists sit in New Delhi and Indian missions abroad.”

SFJ also used the protest to raise alarm over the appointment of India’s new High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, whom they described as an “extension of R&AW.”

The protest came against the backdrop of heightened tensions between India and Canada following accusations of Indian involvement in the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey in 2023.