Inderjeet Singh Gosal, a prominent Sikh separatist leader and head of the group Sikhs for Justice in Canada, was arrested last week on multiple firearms charges, thrusting him and the ongoing tensions between Canada and India back into the spotlight. Gosal, 36, was taken into custody by Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) on Friday, September 19, 2025, in Oshawa, Ontario, after a period of heightened concern for his safety and a series of public warnings about threats to his life.
According to court documents confirmed by Global News, Gosal faces accusations including illegal possession and careless use of a prohibited handgun "for purposes dangerous to the public peace." Two other men, Arman Singh, 23, of Toronto, and Jagdeep Singh, 41, of New York, were also charged in connection with the case and appeared alongside Gosal in an Oshawa courtroom on Monday, September 22, 2025.
Gosal’s arrest comes after he publicly claimed that police had repeatedly warned him that his life was in danger due to his high-profile advocacy for an independent Sikh state, known as Khalistan. Gosal has been a vocal proponent of the movement, which seeks to establish a sovereign homeland for Sikhs in the Punjab region of India. He has not shied away from blaming the Indian government for alleged plots against him, telling media outlets that he was a target because of his activism. Despite being offered witness protection by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Gosal declined, citing his desire to continue his work openly.
"Authorities warned me repeatedly that my life was at risk," Gosal said earlier this month, as reported by Global News. "I declined an offer of witness protection." His refusal to go underground underscores both his commitment to the cause and the risks he perceives in his public role.
The arrest has drawn immediate reaction from Sikhs for Justice, the advocacy group Gosal leads. In a statement, the organization asserted, "Gosal’s arrest is in fact a case about the Canadian government’s duty to protect the life of a Canadian citizen." The group, banned in India and described by Indian media as a terrorist organization, maintains that its campaigns for Khalistan are peaceful and legal within Canada, where it is not designated as a terrorist entity.
Gosal’s prominence has grown significantly since June 2023, when his predecessor and close associate, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was gunned down outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia. That killing sent shockwaves through the Sikh diaspora and led to widespread allegations within the community that Indian government agents were responsible. Four men allegedly linked to Nijjar’s murder remain in custody awaiting trial, and the case has become a flashpoint in Canada-India relations.
Gosal’s connections extend beyond Canada. He is closely linked to Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the New York-based leader of Sikhs for Justice, who survived a failed assassination attempt. Both men’s experiences have fueled suspicions among their supporters about a broader campaign of transnational repression targeting Sikh activists abroad.
Gosal’s legal troubles are not new. In November 2024, he was charged with assault with a weapon following demonstrations in front of a Hindu temple in Brampton. Earlier in February 2024, police investigated after shots were fired into Gosal’s Brampton home, adding to the sense of danger surrounding his activities.
The latest charges against Gosal have sparked renewed media attention in both Canada and India. Indian outlets have been quick to highlight the case, often emphasizing Gosal’s alleged links to extremist activities. In contrast, Canadian authorities have so far remained tight-lipped, with the OPP yet to release detailed information about the case to the public.
The broader context of Gosal’s arrest is a diplomatic relationship between Canada and India that has been strained for years, particularly since the killing of Nijjar. In 2023, then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly stated that Canada was investigating "credible links" between Nijjar’s death and Indian government agents. The resulting fallout led to a tit-for-tat expulsion of diplomats and a chilling of bilateral ties.
Since taking office, Trudeau’s successor, Mark Carney, has worked to repair the fractured relationship. In a notable gesture, Carney invited Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Group of Seven conference in Alberta in June 2025 and appointed new diplomats to facilitate renewed communication. Both countries have also begun efforts to share information about cross-border crimes, signaling a willingness to move past the diplomatic freeze.
Just one day before Gosal’s arrest, Canada’s national security adviser Nathalie Drouin met with her Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval, in New Delhi. According to official statements, the two discussed mutual security concerns and agreed to principles of "non-interference, including refraining from transnational repression." While it’s unclear whether Gosal’s situation was discussed specifically, the timing of the meeting highlights the delicate balance both countries are trying to strike between security cooperation and respect for political freedoms.
Meanwhile, the Sikh community in Canada continues to grapple with the aftermath of Nijjar’s killing and the ongoing sense of vulnerability among activists. Gosal’s supporters argue that his arrest is part of a broader pattern of intimidation and repression, while critics maintain that law enforcement must act decisively in the face of any potential threats to public safety, regardless of political sensitivities.
The case also raises questions about the limits of political activism and the responsibilities of host countries to protect dissidents. Sikhs for Justice insists that its advocacy remains within the bounds of Canadian law, but the group’s high-profile demonstrations and the violent incidents surrounding its leaders have kept it under close scrutiny from both authorities and the public.
As the legal process unfolds, attention will remain fixed on the interplay between activism, security, and international diplomacy. Gosal’s next court appearance is expected to draw significant media coverage, with observers watching closely for any signs of further escalation—or de-escalation—in the ongoing Canada-India saga.
For now, the fate of Inderjeet Singh Gosal, and the broader question of how Canada navigates the demands of security, free expression, and international relations, remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: the arrest has once again brought the complex and contentious world of Sikh separatist politics to the forefront of national and international attention.