KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR

The Lahore High Court in Pakistan on January 17 dismissed a petition filed by the Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation seeking to rename Shadman Chowk in Lahore after independence hero Bhagat Singh and install his statue there. The petition aimed to honor Bhagat Singh at the site where he was hanged 94 years ago, but the court rejected the plea, halting the proposed commemoration efforts.

Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation Pakistan Chairman Imtiaz Rasheed Qureshi sent a legal notice on January 8 to Tariq Majeed, Chief Public Relations Officer of the Metropolitan Corporation Lahore and a retired Pakistan armed forces veteran, demanding INR 50 crore in damages and an unconditional apology. The notice accuses Majeed of defaming Qureshi by alleging he received foreign funding and labeling freedom fighter Bhagat Singh as a "criminal." Qureshi, described in the notice as a patriot working to improve India-Pakistan relations, denied taking foreign funds and referenced Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah's praise for Bhagat Singh to refute Majeed's remarks.

Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), on January 7 congratulated Pakistan on its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Pannun urged Pakistan to support the Sikh community's demand for Khalistan, drawing parallels to Pakistan’s advocacy for Kashmir’s self-determination. He claimed that Pakistan's UNSC position could amplify global dialogue on self-determination and commended its stance on Kashmir as a precedent.

A report by The Washington Post on December 31 alleged that India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) has carried out a covert assassination program targeting six individuals in Pakistan since 2021. The operations reportedly relied on local intermediaries and informal financial networks to maintain deniability. While the missions in Pakistan were deemed successful, similar attempts in Western nations, including on Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, were reportedly thwarted by advanced counterintelligence measures. The report drew comparisons between RAW's tactics and those of Israel's Mossad, amid public accusations from Pakistan and consistent denials by India.

Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau’s Office on February 7 announced the appointment of three new independent senators—Baltej Dhillon for British Columbia, Martine Hébert for Quebec, and Todd Lewis for Saskatchewan. Dhillon, an anti-gang specialist, was the first Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer to wear a turban, while Hébert is an economist and former diplomat, and Lewis is a farmer and agriculture leader.

According to reports, Canada's failure to adopt a law similar to the United States' (US) Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act has allowed organized crime to thrive, enabling gangs to launder billions and fuel the opioid crisis. While the US RICO law empowers prosecutors to dismantle entire criminal enterprises, Canada’s legal framework remains focused on individuals, limiting enforcement. Decades of inaction and political roadblocks have stalled meaningful reform. With Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau’s recent pledge to combat organized crime, fentanyl, and money laundering, Canada must take decisive steps to address this escalating crisis.

On February 4, a shooting was reported outside the residence of Punjabi singer Prem Dhillon in Brampton, Canada, with gangster Gurjant Jenta claiming responsibility. Jenta, an associate of wanted terrorist and gangster Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dala, accused Dhillon of disrespecting late singer Sidhu Moose Wala and allegedly threatening him through gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria. He also claimed his gang was behind the cancellation of Dhillon’s show in Australia. This incident follows previous attacks on Punjabi singers AP Dhillon and Gippy Grewal in Canada.

According to a recent survey conducted by the agency Leger, support for Sikh separatist activities in Canada is minimal, with only 10% in favour. In contrast, a majority of 54% oppose these activities, and 72% support stricter policies to curb foreign separatist agendas.

A leaked United Kingdom (UK) Home Office document has identified Hindu nationalism and pro-Khalistan extremism as emerging threats in Britain. Commissioned by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, the report outlines nine forms of extremism that UK counter-extremism policy should address, including Islamist, extreme right-wing, extreme misogyny, pro-Khalistan extremism, Hindu nationalist extremism, environmental extremism, left-wing, anarchist and single-issue extremism, violence fascination, and conspiracy theories. It raises concerns over Hindu nationalist extremism following the Leicester riots and warns of a growing network of pro-Khalistan actors promoting violence. However, the findings have not been formally adopted as government policy.

United Kingdom (UK) Home Office minister Dan Jarvis, on January 28, clarified that there are no plans to expand the definition of extremism, despite reports of nine forms of extremism identified in a leaked Home Office document. Published by the think tank Policy Exchange, the report listed Islamist, extreme right-wing, extreme misogyny, pro-Khalistan extremism, Hindu nationalist extremism, environmental extremism, left-wing, anarchist and single-issue extremism, violence fascination, and conspiracy theories as key threats. However, Jarvis emphasized that the findings do not represent current or future government policy.

During the Indian Republic Day celebrations on January 26, pro-Khalistan supporters staged a protest outside the Indian High Commission in London, UK, criticizing India’s policies and calling for a separate Sikh state. This prompted a strong counter-protest by the Indian diaspora, who waved the Indian tricolour and chanted patriotic slogans like "Bharat Mata ki Jai" and "Vande Mataram." A significant police presence ensured both groups were kept apart to prevent violence.

Conservative Party Member of Parliament (MP) Bob Blackman, on January 23, raised concerns in the UK House of Commons about disruptions caused by pro-Khalistan groups at screenings of Kangana Ranaut's film Emergency in London, United Kingdom (UK). Blackman criticized the actions as intimidation and urged the Home Secretary to address the issue, ensuring that British audiences can watch films without interference.

According to reports, judges in the United States (US) have rejected asylum claims of illegal immigrants seeking refuge under the pretext of being Khalistani supporters. Many have been deported, as even Khalistani leaders refused to support their claims in court. A deported Sikh warned others against entering the US illegally, stating that courts have become stricter. Reports also reveal that false persecution certificates were issued in exchange for money to facilitate asylum claims abroad.

According to sources, the United States (US) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has recently intensified its crackdown on illegal immigrants, including visits to gurdwaras in New York and New Jersey. This move has drawn sharp criticism from Sikh organizations and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). The DHS action follows the removal of protections for “sensitive” areas like places of worship, causing anxiety among immigrant communities, particularly Punjabis who entered the US illegally. Sikh groups have condemned these actions as a threat to religious sanctity, urging authorities to reconsider and ensure accountability in enforcement practices.

Davinder Singh Bhoprai of the Sikh Cultural Centre Gurdwara in Richmond Hill, New York, on January 28, refuted media reports about raids by the United States (US) Department of Homeland Security at gurdwaras in New York and New Jersey, calling them false. He stressed that no such incidents had occurred and that gurdwaras remain places of worship and peace. Giani Dharamvir Singh, head priest of Gurdwara Sikh Cultural Society, also denied the claims, stating that misinformation was causing unnecessary panic. Sikh activist Japneet Singh confirmed that while a gurdwara in New York was visited by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), no raids took place.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on January 22 pressed for accountability over the 2023 arson attack on India’s consulate in San Francisco by Khalistani extremists during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, DC. Jaishankar described the incident as a “very serious matter” and called for the perpetrators to be held accountable. The U.S. has condemned the attack, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) prioritizing the investigation, though progress remains unclear.

On December 26, during the first day of the Boxing Day Test match between India and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), clashes erupted outside the stadium as Indian fans confronted Khalistani supporters. The altercation was triggered by the Khalistani activists' anti-India slogans and alleged desecration of the Indian national flag. The protestors were seen waving Khalistani flags and chanting slogans, leading Victoria Police to step in and disperse the group. Indian fans expressed their disapproval, dismissing the protesters as a small group with no genuine connection to Punjab.

Russia on December 19 denied claims made by the Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and condemned SFJ’s call to “track” diplomats, equating it to planning a terror attack. Russia urged Global Affairs Canada and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to strengthen security for its missions. SFJ had alleged that Russia provided signal intelligence to India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and hacked Nijjar’s Telegram account.

On November 24, Khalistani activists and Kashmiri separatists held a joint protest, condemning the alleged genocide of Sikhs in India since 1984, in Paris, France. The protestors called for justice and freedom, accusing India of human rights violations against both Sikhs and Kashmiris. They also urged international intervention to address these issues.

On November 18, New Zealand’s foreign ministry, in a statement to WION, reaffirmed its recognition of India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in response to the Khalistani referendum organized by Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) in Auckland on November 17.