City police are seeking two suspects in an assault on a well-known radio journalist in Calgary’s northeast that apparently targeted his reporting on political issues within the Sikh community.
On Sunday at around 3 p.m., 106.7 RED FM Calgary host and news director Rishi Nagar was attacked by two men on the street in the 2800 block of Hopewell Place N.E., striking him repeatedly and forcing him to the pavement.
A 28-second surveillance video captures the assault, which was halted when another man intervened and shielded a sitting Nagar, forcing his assailants to leave.
In a statement posted to social media on Monday, Nagar sounded defiant and grateful for those who’ve supported him since the assault and the man who stepped in to end it.
“I have sustained some injuries but I am OK, and I thank God the attackers fled like cowards, further strengthening my resolve,” he said.
“God knows my heart will always be indebted to all of you. I am especially thankful to Mr. Burhan Khan, who came to my aid and rescue.”
RED FM on Tuesday said Nagar was assaulted after reporting in the past week on the alleged extortion in Calgary involving Sikh religious organizations and members of the pro-Khalistan movement.
That movement seeks an independent Sikh state in India, a goal that has divided the community in India and abroad.
He’s scheduled to hold a news conference Tuesday afternoon to provide further comment and information on the assault and the events leading up to it.
The push for Khalistan, or Sikh homeland in India, has been linked to a number of violent incidents involving Canada.
The murder of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, B.C., in June, 2023 sparked a major diplomatic clash between India and Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stood in the House of Commons and accused Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration of orchestrating the killing, prompting India to dismiss the allegation as “absurd” and expel dozens of Canadian diplomats.
The Indian government has accused Nijjar of being a terrorist and Canada of harbouring violent Sikh militants.
Last May, the RCMP revealed that three Indian citizens living in Edmonton had been arrested for Nijjar’s killing. A fourth man was also arrested.
Calgary was the site last July of a fourth non-binding Canadian referendum on an independent Khalistan that’s also seen votes held globally.
Its U.S.-based pro-Khalistan organizers said more than 55,000 people voted at Municipal Plaza on July 28.
-More to come
-with files from CP
X: @BillKaufmannjrn