New Delhi has vehemently dismissed a media report alleging the issuance of a “secret memo” in April to undertake “concrete” actions against certain Sikh separatists, including Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The report, published by the online American media outlet “The Intercept,” was met with a firm denial by the Ministry of External Affairs.
In response to media queries, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi addressed the issue on Sunday, categorically stating that the report is part of a “sustained disinformation campaign” against India. He further criticized the outlet that published the report, noting its reputation for propagating “fake narratives” often attributed to Pakistani intelligence sources.
“We strongly assert that such reports are fake and completely fabricated. There is no such memo,” emphasized Bagchi. He went on to say, “Those who amplify such fake news do so only at the cost of their own credibility.”
“This is part of a sustained disinformation campaign against India. The outlet in question is known for propagating fake narratives peddled by Pakistani intelligence. The posts of the authors confirm this linkage,” he added.
The allegations contained in “The Intercept” report claimed that the Indian government had issued instructions for a “crackdown scheme” against specific Sikh entities operating in western countries. Furthermore, the report asserted that a secret memorandum, reportedly released by the Ministry of External Affairs in April, listed various “Sikh dissidents under investigation by India’s intelligence agencies, including the Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.”
This recent denial by India follows earlier allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in September. Trudeau had alleged “potential” involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil on June 18. India promptly refuted these charges and requested Canada to provide evidence to substantiate the claims.
