Mumbai Police visit comedian's residence as cafe vows to continue operations despite attack
Comedian Kapil Sharma's newly opened restaurant in Canada became the target of a brazen attack by Khalistani terrorists, who claimed responsibility for firing multiple shots at the establishment in Surrey, British Columbia, on Wednesday night.
The attack on Kap's Cafe, which opened just a week ago on July 4, was orchestrated by Harjit Singh Laddi, a member of the proscribed terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). Laddi, who appears on India's National Investigation Agency's most-wanted list, justified the assault by claiming that Sharma's popular comedy show had mocked Nihang Sikhs.
According to Laddi's social media statement, a participant on Sharma's show had made "humorous remarks" about the traditional dress and conduct of Nihang Sikhs, which he deemed offensive to the community's religious sentiments. The terrorist alleged that despite multiple calls to Sharma's management team, no public apology was issued.
"No religion or spiritual identity can be mocked under the guise of comedy," Laddi declared, adding that he and his associate, Toofan Singh, were behind the shooting incident.
The Surrey Police Service responded to the attack at approximately 1:50 AM local time, confirming that shots were fired at the business while staff members were still inside. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, though the property sustained damage.
In response to the incident, Mumbai Police visited Sharma's residence in the Oshiwara area on Friday to confirm his address. However, officials clarified that no statement was recorded from the comedian, and security around his building was not increased.
The cafe issued its first public statement following the attack, expressing shock but determination to continue operations. "We opened Kap's Cafe with hopes of bringing warmth, community, and joy through delicious coffee and friendly conversation," the statement read. "To have violence intersect with that dream is heartbreaking. We are processing this shock, but we are not giving up."
The restaurant emphasised its commitment to standing firm against violence while maintaining its role as a community gathering place. "Let's stand firm against violence and ensure Kapil's Cafe remains a place of warmth and community," the statement concluded.
This event underlines increasing worries of extremist actions in Canada and specifically of such organisations as BKI, which are considered by the Canadian governmental structures as the terrorist association. The attack has sparked doubts about the safety of the business of the Indian diaspora as well as the level of radicalism surrounding some people in Canada.
The terrorists purported to protect Nihang Sikhs, who are a traditional martial order group in Sikhs, dressed in blue and following classical Sikh orders. The community has always been linked with the protection of Sikh religious and cultural aspects.
As investigations continue, the incident serves as a stark reminder of how cultural sensitivities can be exploited by extremist groups to justify violence against innocent civilians and businesses.
