KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR

Pakistan’s additional secretary of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), Rana Shahid Saleem, stated on April 22 that Pakistan aims to enhance religious tourism, particularly among Sikhs, by improving facilities and infrastructure at key religious sites. He made these remarks while speaking at the Wagah border near Lahore in Punjab Province, Pakistan, bidding farewell to Indian Sikh pilgrims returning from a 10-day pilgrimage to celebrate Vaisakhi in Pakistan. Saleem emphasized plans to improve accessibility, accommodation, and security to attract more Sikh pilgrims. Additionally, he discussed initiatives such as the Kartarpur Corridor and efforts to preserve Sikh heritage and culture.

Ramesh Singh Arora, Pakistan Punjab's first Sikh minister for minorities affairs and president of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), recently sparked controversy over the purchase of three luxury vehicles totalling approximately PKR 5 crore. These transactions, allegedly funded from PSGPC accounts, drew criticism due to the pressing need for gurdwara maintenance under its purview. Despite assertions that the vehicles were not for personal use, concerns have been raised, with calls urging a focus on prioritizing gurdwara development over extravagant expenditures.

Pakistan’s Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, speaking at a ceremony in Darshan Devery at Kartarpur, Narowal district, Punjab province, Pakistan, on April 18, announced plans to improve facilities for Sikh pilgrims. This includes constructing modern hotels at their holy sites, underscoring the government's dedication to offering superior services and security.

On April 13, Sikh pilgrims from various parts of the world, including 2,843 from India, arrived in Pakistan to celebrate Khalsa Janam Din and participate in the Baisakhi Mela festivities. The Indian pilgrims were warmly welcomed at the Wagah border in Lahore district and then transported to Hasanabdal via a special train for the main event at Gurudwara Panja Saheb on April 14 in Hassan Abdal, Attock district, Punjab province, Pakistan. The pilgrimage will also include visits to Nankana Sahib, Sacha Sauda, Gurudwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur, and Gurudwara Rori Sahib before concluding on April 22.

On April 20, the annual Vaisakhi parade took place, drawing over half a million attendees, which was dedicated to Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Surrey in British Columbia province in Canada. Khalistan advocate and New Democratic Party (NDP) Leader Jagmeet Singh was also present and addressed the crowd.

On April 18, Khalistani protesters commemorated 300 days since the death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar by accusing the Indian government of involvement in Nijjar's death and burning and slashing Indian flags outside the Indian Consulate in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Protesters, organised by Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), chanted for Khalistan independence, while SFJ chief and Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun accused Indian spies of operating from the consulate.

On April 17, Canada issued an updated travel advisory for India, warning its citizens about the upcoming Lok Sabha elections scheduled from April 19 to June 1, 2024. The advisory emphasized the potential for demonstrations before, during, and after the elections and advised travellers to stay vigilant.

Canada’s 2024 budget, presented on April 16, marked a historic inclusion of the Hindu community as stakeholders for the first time, with the Canadian Hindu Chamber of Commerce (CHCC) invited to an access-restricted reading on April 2 in Ottawa, Canada. The CHCC hailed this as a significant recognition of the Hindu community’s advocacy for businesses and professionals. While substantial allocations were made towards promoting Sikh heritage, including funding for a Sikh arts and culture museum in Toronto, the CHCC expressed concerns over the absence of targeted provisions for the Hindu community in the budget. The government’s commitment to diversity and preserving South Asian heritages was highlighted, yet the CHCC emphasized the need for equitable treatment and representation in governmental initiatives.

According to sources, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has withdrawn Look Out Circulars (LOCs) for three individuals from Punjab in connection with the violence at the Indian High Commission in London. Initially, LOCs were issued against 15 suspects based on videos and photographs. However, after a thorough investigation, no evidence linking the three individuals to the incident was found, leading to the closure of their LOCs. The attack was orchestrated by Khalistani extremists, including Gurcharan Singh, Avtar Singh Khanda, and Jasvir Singh, resulting in criminal charges such as trespass, flag disrespect, and property destruction.

Sikh Federation United Kingdom (UK) leader Dabinderjit Singh recently disclosed in an interview with Akaal TV that prominent Geo/The News London reporter Murtaza Ali Shah faces death threats from the Indian state due to his coverage of Khalistan issues and Sikh activists. Singh revealed that the Metropolitan Police are aware of these threats, linking them to Shah's reporting on the Khalistan Referendum and the Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ).

Five British doctors and academics specializing in blood cancer, while speaking on a BBC Sounds podcast, refuted claims that Khalistani terrorist Avtar Singh Khanda's death from acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) at 35 could have been triggered by poisoning. Charles Craddock, the academic director of the Centre for Clinical Haematology at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, United Kingdom (UK), along with four other doctors and academics, emphasized the aggressiveness of AML and the impossibility of inducing it through poisoning. Khanda's death certificate lists AML and pulmonary embolism as causes, while his family and friends allege he was poisoned by the Indian government, with the UK covering it up.

A spokesperson from the United Kingdom (UK) Home Office recently denied viral reports from the media claiming that Prime Minister (PM) Rishi Sunak seized INR 100 crore (GBP 9 million) from over 300 Khalistani bank accounts in the UK. Various online stories alleged Sunak's crackdown on Khalistani supporters, with 5,000 bank accounts under scrutiny and a special task force formed. The UK Home Office stated it does not recognize these claims, emphasizing the country's respect for diverse communities and rejection of extremism.

United States (US) State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, in Washington DC on April 16, urged India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions and pursue resolution through dialogue without external intervention. This comes after Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and Union Minister of Defence (UMD) Rajnath Singh made statements regarding India's stance on countering terrorism.

The United States (US) National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on April 9 praised the growing partnership between the US and India during a White House press conference in Washington DC. Sullivan cited advancements in technology and security collaboration, emphasizing the elevation of the partnership to new heights that transcend traditional boundaries. He highlighted the multifaceted engagement between the two nations across various dimensions, marking a significant milestone in their relationship.

The United States (US) State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller, in Washington DC, on April 8, refrained from commenting on allegations of India's involvement in targeted killings in Pakistan. He urged both countries to pursue dialogue and avoid escalation. Pakistani reports suggested that India, through its intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), had allegedly orchestrated nearly 20 assassinations in Pakistan since 2020. The targets were Sikh separatists associated with the Khalistan movement, as part of a post-Pulwama attack strategy. However, India has vehemently denied the accusations, labeling them as false and malicious anti-India propaganda.

The United States (US) State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, on April 3 emphasized the need for India to conduct a thorough inquiry regarding the alleged involvement of Indian government agents in a plot to kill Khalistani terrorist and US citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. He reiterated the US's anticipation of the results of a full investigation by India.

According to sources, as a result of India's outreach efforts, the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan are working to restore private land to Hindu and Sikh minorities. Indian officials view this development as a positive gesture towards India, underscoring India's role in advocating for the rights and interests of Hindu and Sikh communities in Afghanistan.

Samar Kohli, a Sikh community leader in Sydney, Australia, disclosed information about his interactions with ASIO (Australian Security Intelligence Organisation) officers, highlighting concerns regarding Sikh separatist activities and the involvement of the Indian government. ASIO's engagement with Sikh activists coincided with escalated tensions following the death of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, Canada.

The Government of New Zealand on March 14 reached out to Canada and reaffirmed its stance on the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, emphasizing the need for evidence before drawing conclusions. Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters' comments, which suggested a lack of substantial evidence, sparked concerns but were later clarified as being taken out of context.

Khalistan terrorist and chief of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, on March 13 issued threats against New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister, Winston Peters, following Peters' challenge to claims linking India to the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Peters' remarks questioning the "Indian link" to Nijjar's killing marked a departure from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's narrative. This incident represents the first open contestation of Canada's assertions by a Five-Eyes partner.