“Still Shaking”: Canadian Journalist Alleges Assault by Khalistanis, Shares Harrowing Ordeal

An independent Canadian journalist has claimed that he was physically assaulted and threatened by a group of pro-Khalistan activists while covering a pro-Khalistan rally in Vancouver on Sunday. That journalist, Mocha Bezirgan, said he is a victim due to his editorial independence and prior coverage of protests related to Khalistan issues.

This incident occurred while Bezirgan was in Vancouver covering a pro-Khalistan event. He alleged that he was attacked by "thugs" who came to intentionally target him.

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"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, sharing the ordeal on X.

#WATCH | Vancouver, Canada: On being physically assaulted by Khalistanis in Vancouver, Canadian Investigative Journalist Mocha Bezirgan, says "It just happened 2 hours ago and I am still shaking. I was surrounded by multiple Khalistanis who acted like thugs. They surrounded me,… pic.twitter.com/QrMWSPbjBw

— ANI (@ANI) June 8, 2025

He alleged it was targeted because a person he had previously talked to, had been attacking him for a "long time online using dehumanising language".

He further alleged that the pro-Khalistani groups want to "influence" and "buy" him.

“What’s up now bro!?”
Here’s the view from my main camera of two Khalistani thugs blocking my exit as I try to get away from a serial harasser who can’t keep his distance from me.

These intimidation tactics won’t stop me or influence my editorial independence. pic.twitter.com/jXU1uTZDmV

— Mocha Bezirgan ???????? (@BezirganMocha) June 8, 2025

"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 added.

"These intimidation tactics won’t stop me or influence my editorial independence," Bezirgan asserted, sharing a video of the incident, in which a man is shown to confront the journalist.

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"He refused to keep his distance from my face and began making threats of violence if I were to touch him. I kept walking away from him but his harassing behaviour wouldn’t stop... He continued following me around, mobilising others to interfere with my job, and kept appearing behind me despite being told to stay away from me," Bezirgan explained.

He stated that the attacker already had targeted him before and at the time he has filed a police report regarding it. He further added, he has filed another report today.

India has unfurling concerns about Canada supposedly granting a free hand to Khalistani extremists - and collaborators. The relationship on a bilateral basis has deteriorated rapidly, as Ottawa has n never failed to level accusations of inaction towards New Delhi with regard to those pro-Khalistani elements in Canada.

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