- By Supratik Das
- Sat, 12 Jul 2025 02:58 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Popular Indian comedian Kapil Sharma's recently opened restaurant, Kap's Cafe, in Surrey, British Columbia, was targeted with gunfire this week, triggering shockwaves across fans and the Indian diaspora in Canada. The attack has been linked to Khalistani terrorist groups, who have now directly threatened the comedian for supposedly spreading Hindutva ideology in the pretext of business. According to the Surrey Police Service (SPS), gunshots were fired at Kapil Sharma’s cafe around 1:50 AM on Thursday.
Multiple bullet holes were found in the cafe’s windows, but fortunately, no injuries were reported. Staff members were inside when the incident occurred. Police officers responded quickly, but no suspects were arrested at the scene. “It was apparent that shots had been fired, damaging the property while staff were still inside,” an SPS spokesperson confirmed. The investigation remains in its early stages, with possible links to extremist groups being probed.
SFJ Founder Pannun Threatens Kapil Sharma
Amplifying the threat even more, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, one of the founders of the outlawed separatist organization Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), made a video statement threatening Kapil Sharma to "take your blood money back to Hindustan". Pannun, who is named a designated individual terrorist by India's Ministry of Home Affairs, implicated Sharma in "spreading violent Hindutva ideology" by doing business in Canada. "Canada is not your playground.". It won't let Hindutva ideology take root in the name of business," Pannun threatened in his press release. He even implied that Kap's Cafe is possibly part of a "larger strategy" to propagate Hindutva beyond India.
Earlier, Harjit Singh Laddi, who is reportedly a member of the proscribed terror group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), took responsibility for the shootout. In a social media post, Laddi stated that he and another BKI associate, Toofan Singh, had carried out the attack, stating that some offensive comments had been made regarding Nihang Sikhs during The Kapil Sharma Show. "A character was in a Nihang Sikh attire and funny remarks were passed about their ways. Our repeated demands for an apology were not heeded," Laddi posted online. He stated that no religion must be ridiculed in the name of comedy.
The Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has been proscribed under India's Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act on account of its secessionist and anti-national activities. The government of India alleges SFJ has connections with banned militant groups and continues to promote violence and undermine India's sovereignty. Founder Pannun faces over 100 cases under investigation by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) and various state police forces. Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) is also designated as a terrorist organisation by multiple countries, including Canada.
Kap’s Cafe Issues Statement, Kapil Sharma Yet to Respond
Kap's Cafe, in its first official statement since the shooting, stated the team is "processing the shock" but promised not to succumb to threats and violence. "We started Kap's Cafe with dreams of spreading warmth, community, and cheer through great coffee and good conversation. To have violence cross that dream is devastating.". But we are not giving up," the cafe wrote on Instagram. The message thanked the Surrey and Delta Police for moving quickly on the situation and thanked the local community for having their backs during this crisis. Kapil Sharma, who opened the cafe on July 4, has yet to release a personal comment on the situation.
The Surrey Police Service admitted the social media allegation by Laddi but indicated that it had not been independently confirmed as of yet. "There is no suspect description at this time," an SPS spokesperson stated. The police have called upon any witnesses or CCTV that might assist them trace the attackers.
