Ujjal Dosanjh, a prominent Canadian Sikh and former federal Cabinet minister under Prime Minister Paul Martin, has vocally criticized current Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his handling of the Khalistan movement in Canada. Dosanjh, who also served as the Premier of British Columbia, expressed his views in a column for the National Post, exploring the growth of the Khalistan separatist movement within Canada.

Dosanjh, residing in Vancouver, British Columbia, shared with columnist Donna Kennedy-Glans that the Canadian Sikh community, which he claims is majorly against the Khalistan movement, remains silent due to fears of violence and violent repercussions. He underscored that while the Khalistan movement has primarily been an issue in India, its rising influence in Canada has prompted serious concerns from New Delhi, especially after Trudeau's allegations in September 2023 suggesting potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil—a claim India has labeled as "absurd" and "motivated."

According to Dosanjh, Trudeau's lack of understanding of the Canadian Sikh community, which he describes as largely secular despite their religious practices, has allowed Khalistani separatists to co-opt what was an obscure movement, turning it into a significant problem for Canada. Dosanjh blames Trudeau for this shift, noting that the Prime Minister's approach has inadvertently given the movement a foothold in Canada that could have been prevented.

The column also highlights Dosanjh's concerns that Trudeau's policies and his sociopolitical stance have not only failed to curb the rise of separatist sentiments but have also alienated a large portion of the Sikh community that wishes to dissociate from the Khalistan movement. This criticism comes at a time when Canada is facing increasing scrutiny over its handling of such international issues, with implications for its domestic and foreign policy. Dosanjh’s candid remarks reflect a deep-seated frustration among some Canadian Sikhs who feel that their voices are overshadowed by a vocal minority.