In an outspoken critique, former Canadian Minister Ujjal Dosanjh has directly attributed the rise of Sikh extremism in Canada to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s approach to multiculturalism and identity politics. Dosanjh, himself a Sikh, claims that the vast majority of Canada’s nearly 800,000 Sikhs do not support the Khalistani movement—a separatist cause advocating for an independent Sikh state in Punjab. Yet, he believes that Trudeau’s policies have inadvertently equated the entire Sikh community with Khalistani extremists. “Trudeau, sociologically and politically, is an idiot,” Dosanjh asserted, “He’s an imbecile in terms of understanding how you build nations.”
Dosanjh, a former premier of British Columbia and federal cabinet minister, argues that the Khalistani movement, while marginal in India, has gained traction in Canada, a shift he attributes to Trudeau’s vision of Canada as a “post-national state without a mainstream culture.” According to Dosanjh, this approach discourages integration and gives undue influence to Khalistani supporters who control many temples in Canada. “A silent majority of Sikhs do not want anything to do with Khalistan,” Dosanjh explained, “but they’re afraid to speak out due to fear of violence and intimidation.”
Reflecting on his own discussions with Trudeau, Dosanjh described a conversation they had during their time as MPs, where he warned Trudeau that emphasizing exclusive identities over shared values would hinder social integration. Trudeau’s well-known stance—that immigrants could “be who you are”—has, in Dosanjh’s view, fostered divisiveness. “Ultimately, you need shared values,” he emphasized, voicing his frustration that Canada’s mainstream values of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence have been overshadowed by Trudeau’s policies of cultural appeasement.
Dosanjh also criticized Trudeau’s handling of recent diplomatic tensions with India, particularly following the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistani activist labeled as a terrorist by India. He argued that Trudeau’s bold public statement in Parliament about the alleged involvement of Indian agents in the incident was counterproductive, suggesting that a more discreet approach, akin to the U.S. handling of similar cases, would have preserved diplomatic ties without fueling public controversy. “The U.S. dealt with it discreetly,” Dosanjh noted, contrasting Canada’s high-profile response with the reserved stance of the U.S. State Department.
For Dosanjh, the consequences of Trudeau’s policies go beyond political missteps. He believes that Trudeau’s willingness to appeal to specific voter blocs has deepened the divide between Canadians and further strained Canada-India relations. Despite the current friction, he suggests that a diplomatic reset is still possible. “All it takes,” Dosanjh concluded, “is a bit of humble pie, acknowledging India as a friend, and working towards common ground.” Trudeau’s failure to do so, he argues, reflects a lack of wisdom in leadership and a misunderstanding of what it means to build a united nation.