“This woman was saying bad things about religion and Khalistan,” a caption shown over a picture of Grewal states. “And she got the result of that. We don’t have anything against any community or religion, and if anyone say something against our community and Khalistan like this, they will meet the same fate.”

The Khalistan movement seeks to establish a homeland for Sikhs in India. Not all who support the Sikh separatist movement condone violence. But Khalistani extremists have been linked to violent incidents over the years, including the Air India bombing.

CBC has not independently verified the account or the information.

In a statement, LaSalle police said investigators are considering all information but cannot comment further to protect the investigation. However, police have said they believe the stabbing targeted Grewal and was not random.

Born in India, Grewal had a prominent social media presence in the local and international Punjabi communities. She often posted on social media platforms with her thoughts on South Asian news and politics.

She was known particularly for her anti-Khalistan views.

Grewal’s mother, Shinderpal Kaur, has been speaking with Indian media, expressing grief and outrage over her daughter’s death. She said Grewal was stabbed multiple times.

Alishaa Grewal paid tribute to her sister in a social media post.

“I lost my sister, my strength, my forever friend. Rest in peace, my sister. You will always live in our hearts,” she wrote.

At Windsor’s South Asian Centre, program director Nandini Tirumala said Grewal’s death has been “disturbing” to the community.