B.C. NDP Premier David Eby met with a group of Punjabi rap musicians, some of whom are active in the controversial Khalistan separatist movement.
In a recent social media post on May 27, BC NDP MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert shared a photo of himself and B.C. Premier David Eby standing proudly alongside several Punjabi rap artists, saying it was an “honour” to meet with several artists “who have made such a deep impact on Punjabi music in B.C. and around the world.”
Among those pictured were Canadian-based artists Jazzy B, Inderpal Moga, and Chani Nattan — each of whom has, at times, publicly advocated for Khalistani separatism or figures associated with it.
Jazzy B — the Bhangra singer originally from Punjab, India, who moved to Surrey, B.C. when he was five years old — has previously celebrated and posted images of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a key figure in the 1980s Sikh separatist insurgency, referring to him as his “hero.”
The self-professed “Crown Prince of Bhangra,” Jazzy B has been rather transparent about his support for carving a separate and independent Sikh state from India.
“I am a proud Khalistani,” said Jazzy B, in a since-deleted Instagram video that has resurfaced on X.
Inderpal Moga — a Vancouver-based singer and performer, gained attention with his 2020 track “Daku” (Punjabi for “Bandit” or “Outlaw”), a song featuring imagery and lyrics widely interpreted as referencing Sikh militants involved in the Khalistan movement.
The accompanying music video — which features recurring images of Moga and Nattan sitting in Ferraris and walking alongside semi-trailers being loaded with conspicuous packages — additionally includes a symbolic tribute to an individual deemed a terrorist by the Indian government, but regarded as a “martyr” by some separatist supporters.
Other still images shared on social media from rappers Nattan and Moga appear to glorify Bhindranwale and include footage of armed Khalistani insurgents.
Independent MLA Dallas Brodie took to X on Tuesday to voice her concerns over inviting musical artists with a history of glorifying violent extremism to the legislature.
“Today several prominent pro-Khalistani figures were welcomed in the BC Legislature,” Brodie said. “Some of those individuals have openly celebrated violent extremists and murderers in their music videos.”
“This is an insult to our Legislature,” the post continued.
The Khalistan movement, which seeks to establish a sovereign Sikh state in India’s Punjab region, has long been a source of tension between India and parts of the Sikh diaspora, particularly in Canada, the U.K., and Australia.
The demand for Khalistan is controversial and divisive and has been rejected not only by the Indian government but also by the majority of Sikhs living in India.
Those tensions escalated sharply in 2023 when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar — a Canadian citizen and prominent Khalistan advocate — outside a gurdwara in Surrey.
Nonetheless, the Khalistan movement has gained traction in recent years especially amongst India’s overseas Sikh diaspora — including those living in Canada.
Indian officials have raised concerns about Canadian-based activists and artists they allege promote separatist narratives.