Dinesh Patnaik, India’s High Commissioner-designate to Canada, recently arrived in Ottawa and is set to formally take charge in the coming days, ending an 11-month vacancy in the post. Ahead of his formal induction, posters of his assassination by the Khalistani outfits are already out and viral on social media. 

The posters, which have his picture and a call for “siege”, were published by the team of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed in Surrey in 2023. The then Canadian PM Justin Trudeau alleged the role of Indian agents in his murder. India has, however, rubbished the claims as “absurd” and both sides paused talks on a trade deal. The two countries even downgraded diplomatic relations.

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‘New face of India’s Hindutva terror in Canada’: Viral poster

“Dinesh Patnaik, the new face of India’s Hindutva terror in Canada. Siege,” the poster read, along with the date and time mentioned. The date was September 18, and the time was 8 am to 8 pm. The address mentioned on the poster was the Consulate General of India. 

The khalistani outfit also mentioned their names and numbers on the poster, with the few names being Narinder Singh, Manjinder Singh, Avtar Singh, and Gurmeet Singh. 

While reacting to the poster, one social media user said, “Khalistanis organise such events for photo opportunities so that more sikhs can then use these events and photos as support for their claim for asylum in Canada.”

Another added, “Only in Canada, a group can openly give threats to a diplomat from a foreign nation. Really absurd that is tolerated in the name of Freedom of Speech. The Khalistan problem is one of the major issues created by Canadian politicians. All illegal immigration also happens via the Khalistani network.”

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“I’m sure the Carney government will get right on this the second they’re done crying over Jimmy Fallon,” a third commented. 

One social media user asked, “What is Canada’s Government doing about it? Are they promoting Terrorists?”

Who is Dinesh Patnaik?

Dinesh Patnaik brings more than 30 years of diplomatic experience, having served in important roles both within India and at missions abroad. He was India’s Deputy High Commissioner in the United Kingdom from 2016 to 2018 and had earlier worked in Indian missions in Geneva, Dhaka, Beijing, and Vienna. 

Within the Ministry of External Affairs, he has handled portfolios related to Africa, Western Europe, the United Nations, and external publicity. 

He is currently serving as the Ambassador of India to Spain and is India’s High Commissioner-designate to Canada. He holds a Master’s in Physics from Delhi University and an MBA from IIM Calcutta.