Inderjeet Singh Gosal, a central figure in the Khalistani separatist movement, is once again at the heart of an international controversy after his release on bail from a Canadian prison. Gosal, who has long been linked to the banned group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), wasted no time in reigniting the separatist campaign. Just hours after leaving Ontario Central East Correctional Centre on September 26, 2025, he recorded a video outside the prison gates, boldly declaring his intention to organize a Khalistan referendum in India on November 23, 2025.
In the video, Gosal did not mince words. "India, I'm out to support Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and organise the Khalistan referendum on November 23, 2025. Delhi banega Khalistan," he said, as reported by multiple outlets including The Indian Express and Hindustan Times. His message was not a lone act. Standing alongside him was Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the general counsel and head of SFJ, who issued a direct challenge to India's National Security Adviser, Ajit Doval. "Ajit Doval, why don’t you come to Canada, America, or any European country and try to arrest or extradite me? I am waiting for you," Pannun declared, according to NDTV and BBC.
This latest episode is the continuation of a long-running saga involving Gosal, Pannun, and the global Khalistani movement. Gosal, serving as SFJ's Canadian coordinator, was arrested on September 19, 2025, alongside Jagdeep Singh of Pickville, New York, and Arman Singh of Toronto. The trio faced 36 weapons-related charges after Ontario Provincial Police stopped their vehicle in Oshawa. They were held at Lindsay Correctional Centre before Gosal was granted bail just a week later, a decision that has raised eyebrows given the seriousness of the allegations.
Pannun is no stranger to controversy himself. He is designated as a terrorist by Indian authorities and has previously offered a ₹11 crore reward to anyone who would prevent the Indian national flag from being hoisted at Delhi’s Red Fort on Independence Day. This act was widely condemned in India as a direct challenge to the country's sovereignty and only deepened the rift between New Delhi and the Khalistani diaspora leadership abroad.
Gosal’s release and immediate return to activism have intensified diplomatic tensions between India and Canada. The issue of Khalistani extremism is not new, but it has taken on renewed urgency in recent years. According to a 2025 Canadian government report on terror financing, two prominent Khalistani groups—Babbar Khalsa International and the International Sikh Youth Federation—continue to receive financial support from within Canada. Canadian intelligence agencies, notably the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), have long monitored the threat posed by these groups. In June 2025, CSIS publicly recognized, for the first time, that Canada serves as a base for Khalistani extremists who promote, fundraise, and plan acts of violence, primarily targeting India.
Despite these official acknowledgments, the Khalistani movement’s activities in Canada and other Western countries have remained a thorny issue. The Canadian government, while monitoring the threat, has often been accused by Indian officials of not doing enough to curb the operations of groups like SFJ. The diplomatic fallout has been significant, with India citing threats dating back to the 1985 Air India bombing—an attack widely attributed to Khalistani extremists—as a persistent source of concern.
The strain was evident during the G7 summit in Canada earlier this year, where Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart, Mark Carney, met for the first time in person. According to a statement from New Delhi, the leaders agreed to appoint new High Commissioners and resume stalled trade negotiations. They emphasized a commitment to a "constructive and balanced partnership grounded in mutual respect for concerns and sensitivities." Yet, beneath the diplomatic niceties, the issue of Khalistani activism remained unresolved.
The Gosal-Pannun video, with its provocative rhetoric, has only added fuel to the fire. Analysts suggest that while the statements made by Gosal and Pannun are dramatic, they are largely aimed at maintaining visibility and asserting power within the diaspora community. "We’re waiting for you, Ajit Doval. Come and try to arrest us," Pannun said in the video, a line that has since been widely circulated across social media and news outlets. Critics of the movement argue that such declarations are more symbolic than operational, serving to rally supporters rather than pose an immediate threat to Indian sovereignty.
Nevertheless, the potential for violence cannot be ignored. The ongoing investigations into the 2023 killing of Canadian citizen and pro-Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar highlight the real-world consequences of these tensions. In May 2024, four individuals were arrested and charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy in connection with Nijjar’s death, underscoring the security concerns that persist around the Khalistani campaign abroad.
Gosal’s legal troubles are not limited to his most recent arrest. In November 2024, he was previously detained in connection with a violent incident at the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton. Once again, he was released on bail—a pattern that has led some to question the effectiveness of law enforcement actions against the separatist movement in Canada. Despite the repeated arrests and serious charges, Gosal and his associates have managed to continue their activities, organizing referendums and rallies aimed at promoting the idea of Khalistan, a separate Sikh state carved out of India.
The SFJ, while banned in India, continues to operate in North America and parts of Europe. The group’s ability to mobilize supporters and attract international attention has complicated efforts by Indian authorities to contain the movement. While the Canadian government insists that it takes the threat of politically motivated violent extremism seriously, the persistence of groups like SFJ suggests that more robust action may be needed to address the underlying issues.
For now, Gosal is expected to lead the next phase of the Khalistan referendum campaign from Canada. The planned event on November 23, 2025, is being touted by SFJ as a pivotal moment for the separatist cause. Whether the referendum will have any tangible impact on the ground in India remains to be seen, but its symbolism is undeniable. As the date approaches, both Indian and Canadian authorities will be watching closely, wary of any escalation that could further strain their already fraught relationship.
The saga of Inderjeet Singh Gosal and the Khalistani movement is a reminder of how diaspora politics, historical grievances, and international law can collide in unexpected and volatile ways. The story is far from over, and its next chapter may well shape the future of India-Canada relations for years to come.