Will ‘Kingmaker’ Jagmeet Singh’s Fall Be A Turning Point For Canada’s Khalistanis?Curated By : News DeskNews18.comEdited By:Apoorva MisraLast Updated:April 29, 2025, 14:48 ISTIn the April 2025 polls, New Democratic Party failed to secure even 12 seats, losing its national status, forcing a dejected Singh to step downresetFollow us on FlipboardFollow us on Google NewsThe defeat of Jagmeet Singh, who kept Trudeau’s minority Liberal government in power for more than two years in return for more social spending, is being seen as a blow to the Khalistani movement in Canada. (AFP)In 2022, Jagmeet Singh was the darling of the media. Labelled the ‘Kingmaker’ in Canada’s politics, Singh— leader of the New Democratic Party (NDP)—helped Justin Trudeau form the government and became the face of the Sikh community, even earning the Buzzfeed moniker of the “most stylish politician in Canada by like a million kilometres".Cut to 2025, Singh faced a crushing defeat in the April 28 general election, losing his own seat and leaving the party likely reduced to a single-digit seat count. Singh, who was eyeing his third win, lost the Burnaby Central seat in British Columbia to Liberal candidate, Wade Chang. While Singh received about 27 per cent of the votes, Chang secured more than 40 per cent of the votes.related storiesA METEORIC RISEBorn in Scarborough, Ontario, to Indian immigrants from Punjab, Singh attained a degree in biology from the University of Western Ontario and a Bachelor of Laws from York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School. The criminal defence attorney first ran provincially for a seat in the Ontario legislature in 2011. In 2019, he won his first seat in Canada’s parliament in a by-election in Burnaby, British Columbia, east of Vancouver.In 2022, Singh led his party into an agreement with the then-prime minister Trudeau’s party and proved to be the final crutch on which Trudeau tottered. However, the agreement ended in 2024 when Singh accused Liberals of prioritising corporate interests and profits over workers and societal welfare.THE KHALISTAN CONNECTHowever, Singh’s meteoric rise was not without hiccups. The 46-year-old, a known Khalistani supporter, was denied an Indian visa in 2013 as he had asked for the 1984 Sikh riots to be described as “genocide". Two years later, his attendance at a Khalistani rally, where participants chanted “Khalistan, Khalistan", irked India again. To add fuel to fire, the rally featured large posters of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a leading figure of the Khalistan movement who was killed on June 6, 1984 in Operation Blue Star.Singh, once credited with keeping Trudeau in power, is also blamed for egging him on in his anti-India tirade which led to an unprecedented breakdown in India-Canada ties in the aftermath of Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing. Jagmeet Singh had then expressed support for Trudeau government’s decision to expel Indian diplomats.As Trudeau repeatedly accused “agents" of the Indian government of being involved in Nijjar’s killing, India strongly rejected the “preposterous imputations" and pointed out that since allegations were first made – in September 2023 – the Canadian government had “failed to share a shred of evidence with the Government of India, despite many requests…"The Indian government’s position was finally vindicated in January 2025 by a Canadian commission report that said “no definitive link" with a “foreign state" in the killing of Nijjar could be “proven".THE 2025 SETBACKIn the April 2025 polls, New Democratic Party failed to secure even 12 seats, losing its national status, forcing a dejected Singh to step down.The Liberal Party, led by Mark Carney, secured a fourth term in office, winning 165 seats, while the Conservative Party, under Pierre Poilievre, obtained 147 seats. Despite leading in seats, the Liberals did not achieve a majority, indicating a likely minority government situation .Acknowledging that it was a “disappointing night for New Democrats", he said the party was “only defeated when we stop fighting". He also called it the “honour of my life" to serve as NDP leader. “I am disappointed that we could not win more seats. But I am not disappointed in our movement. I am hopeful for our Party. I know that we will always choose hope over fear. New Democrats built this country. We have built the best of Canada. And we aren’t going anywhere," he added.Singh’s defeat marks a major setback for the NDP, which failed to grow its base despite years of high visibility. His charismatic leadership didn’t translate into electoral gains, pointing to disconnect between progressive messaging and voter priorities.WHAT HAPPENS TO THE KHALISTANI MOVEMENT?The defeat of Singh, who kept Trudeau’s minority Liberal government in power for more than two years in return for more social spending, is being seen as a blow to the Khalistani movement in Canada.As the first Sikh leader of a major Canadian political party, Singh held significant symbolic weight—especially among segments of the Sikh diaspora sympathetic to the Khalistani cause. His visibility gave a sense of legitimacy and representation to issues related to Sikh identity. His fall may demoralise or weaken the public narrative of Sikh political ascendancy in mainstream politics, potentially reducing the Khalistani movement’s perceived influence.top videosView allSwipe Left For Next VideoView allWith Singh gone or politically weakened, scrutiny may shift more directly onto community organisations, activists, and backbench politicians with Khalistani ties—potentially prompting investigations or policy responses from Ottawa.Singh’s exit could also signal to India that the political climate is shifting—either opening a path for calmer dialogue or, conversely, prompting a crackdown if Ottawa seeks to reset relations without Singh’s balancing act.Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!tags :Hardeep Singh NijjarJagmeet SinghJustin TrudeauKhalistanNew Democratic Partynews18 specialsLocation :Ottawa, CanadaFirst Published:April 29, 2025, 14:48 ISTNews world Will ‘Kingmaker’ Jagmeet Singh’s Fall Be A Turning Point For Canada’s Khalistanis?Read More
A Week After Pahalgam Attack, Where Do World Leaders Stand As India Seeks Justice?
Elphinstone Bridge Row: Cluster Redevelopment For 19 Affected Buildings Announced
In Tit-For-Tat Move, India Mulls Closing Airspace To Pakistani Carriers
Reciprocal Tariffs Will Exacerbate Stress For MSMEs: Ind-Ra
Woman Grieves Loss Of Daughter-In-Law As Tragedy Strikes During Wedding
'Sir, Something Has Happened...': How CRPF Took Charge After The Pagalgam Attack
