Screengrab from a video showing the pro-Khalistan protest in Vancouver, June 8, 2025.
Credit: X/@BezirganMocha
A Canadian journalist was allegedly assaulted by pro-Khalistan activisits in Vancouver, with the scribe describing his assailants as thugs.
Mocha Bezirgan, an independent and investigative journalist, was in Vancouver to cover a rally by pro-Khalistan activists when the assault took place.
"It just happened 2 hours ago and I am still shaking. I was surrounded by multiple Khalistanis who acted like thugs. They surrounded me, threatened me, and got physical with me, and they grabbed my phone out of my hand," Bezirgan said.
"This was done by an individual who has been harassing me for a long time online using dehumanising language against me. I have been covering Khalistan protests in Canada, UK, US, New Zealand...My only goal is to do independent journalism and record and report what's going on and because I'm editorially independent, this frustrates some people," Bezirgan further said.
"They want to influence me, they want to buy me. He is not even a Canadian citizen. He is from the UK. I was just there reporting on the event. Khalistanis gathered to honour their so-called martyrs, including the assassins of Indira Gandhi," the journalist added.
Bezirgan also commented on the upcoming G7 Summit, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been invited by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
"It's a big step that PM Carney invited PM Modi to Canada to attend G7 Summit and we'll see how that goes because there's lots of pressure building on PM Carney right now from Khalistani elements and from World Sikh Organization that he should cancel the invitation," said Bezirgan.
"Even if he doesn't cancel the invitation, we will see how the meeting actually goes. We need to wait and see, but one thing is certain, Khalistani elements will be protesting and it's going to be a very interesting time in Alberta where the G7 is taking place...This is going to be where the whole world will focus because the date of the G7 Summit coincides with Hardeep Singh Nijjar's assassination date by one day. I don't think there has ever been a time this risky," the journalist added.
After the incident, he was escorted to safety by the Vancouver police.