In a wave of solidarity, Canada’s political leaders have strongly condemned the violent assault on Indo-Canadian radio journalist Rishi Nagar, News Director of Red FM Calgary, who was attacked on Sunday in Calgary, Alberta. The incident has sparked outrage across the country, drawing sharp reactions from prominent figures, including Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, and other members of Parliament.
Nagar was physically assaulted following his coverage of an incident at the Gurdwara Dashmesh Cultural Centre in Calgary, which led to the arrest of two Indo-Canadians, Gursewak Singh and Sukhpreet Singh, on firearms-related charges. Nagar reported the story on Red FM, and he has since suggested that the attack may have been carried out by pro-Khalistan sympathizers as retribution for his reporting.
Speaking to the Hindustan Times, Nagar confirmed, “The pro-Khalistan people attacked me,” pointing to the sensitive nature of his reporting as a potential motive behind the violence. Despite the attack, Nagar has remained resolute, stating, “I will not be silenced,” and asserting his commitment to journalism and speaking the truth, regardless of the intimidation he faces.
On Wednesday, Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his outrage at the attack. “I am horrified by this violent assault on Rishi Nagar,” Poilievre wrote. “Glad to hear he is on the road to recovery. Freedom must prevail over fear. Bring home safe streets. I encourage anyone with information on this attack to contact local police.” His post underscored the importance of maintaining press freedom and public safety in the face of such violence.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith also shared her thoughts in a post, expressing deep sadness over the assault. “I am deeply saddened to hear about the recent attack on Rishi Nagar, a respected journalist and news director at Red FM. In Alberta, we value freedom of the press and the safety of all citizens. Violence and intimidation against anyone, especially those who work tirelessly to inform the public, have no place in our society,” Smith stated. She extended her thoughts and well wishes to Nagar, his family, and his colleagues during this challenging time, while reaffirming the need for collective action against violence and support for journalistic freedom.
Smith further called on the public to stand together to uphold respect and safety for everyone, especially journalists who play a crucial role in keeping the public informed. Her remarks were echoed by several other political figures, including Conservative Party MP from Calgary, Shuvaloy Majumdar, who said he was “shocked” to learn about the attack. Majumdar linked the increase in such violent incidents to the leadership of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh, stating, “This kind of violence has been on the rise under Justin Trudeau and Jagmeet Singh.” He called for immediate action to address the increasing threats against journalists in Canada.
Nagar’s assault has heightened concerns over the safety of journalists in Canada, particularly those who report on sensitive or controversial topics. The incident is being actively investigated by Calgary Police, who are reviewing CCTV footage of the attack. Two suspects were caught on video and are currently being sought by authorities. While investigations are ongoing, the police have urged anyone with information related to the assault to come forward.
This attack has sparked widespread concern within the media community as well. Journalists and press freedom advocates have voiced their alarm at the growing violence and intimidation targeted at media professionals. Such incidents are seen as direct threats to the freedom of the press, which is a foundational principle of democracy in Canada.
As the investigation continues, leaders across the political spectrum are calling for increased measures to protect journalists and ensure that such incidents are not repeated. The assault on Nagar highlights the risks faced by media professionals who tackle contentious issues and underscores the ongoing debate about the safety and freedom of the press in Canada.
For now, Rishi Nagar has vowed to continue his work, despite the attack. His resolve and determination have garnered widespread support, with many hoping that justice will soon be served as the suspects are brought to justice. This incident has reignited the discussion about the protection of journalists in Canada and the responsibility of both the government and society to defend the right to free speech and unbiased reporting in the face of adversity.