KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
07-Jun-2024
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Constable Kulwinder Kaur was arrested and suspended on June 7 for slapping actress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Kangana Ranaut at Chandigarh airport. Kaur was allegedly upset over Ranaut’s remarks about the farmers’ protests and has connections to the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC).
07-Jun-2024
Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun praised Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Constable Kulwinder Kaur on June 7 for slapping Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Kangana Ranaut at Chandigarh airport. He also offered a USD 10,000 reward.
07-Jun-2024
On June 7, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami defended Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Constable Kulwinder Kaur's assault on actress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Kangana Ranaut at Chandigarh airport. Dhami blamed Ranaut's critical remarks about Punjab and Punjabis in a statement, claiming her comments on terrorism in Punjab were inflammatory.
07-Jun-2024
The police on June 7 filed a chargesheet against seven members of Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar gang for planning to kill gangster Bhupi Rana, identified as Sunny alias Maddy Manchanda, Umang, Kailash Chauhan alias Tiger, Anmolpreet Singh, Maya alias Kashish alias Pooja Sharma, Baljeet Singh and Parwinder Singh alias Pindu, in Chandigarh. They were charged under various sections of the Arms Act, Indian Penal Code (IPC), and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
07-Jun-2024
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Airports (North Sector) Vinay Kajla, in an interview with The Tribune on June 7, attributed CISF Constable Kulwinder Kaur’s assault on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Kangana Ranaut at Chandigarh airport to a "rush of blood," influenced by Ranaut's past statements regarding women in the farmers' protest. He acknowledged the security breach and initiated preventive measures, terming it a "random act" rather than an internal intelligence failure.
07-Jun-2024
A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Mohali, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district, on June 7 sentenced former Punjab Police Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Dilbagh Singh to seven years of rigorous imprisonment and ex-Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Gurbachan Singh to life imprisonment for a fake encounter case dating back to 1993. The court imposed a fine of INR 50,000 on Dilbagh Singh and INR 2 lakh on Gurbachan Singh. The case originated from a complaint filed by the victim's father, Chaman Lal, who alleged that his son Gulshan Kumar, a vegetable vendor, was unlawfully killed in a staged encounter orchestrated by the accused police officers.
06-Jun-2024
On June 6, slogans favouring Khalistan were raised at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, during the 40th anniversary of 'Operation Bluestar,' with supporters of radical Sikh outfits such as Dal Khalsa and Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) (SAD-A) led by Simranjit Singh Mann participating. Many wore outfits featuring images of Khalistani militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
06-Jun-2024
Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, son of Beant Singh, one of Prime Minister (PM) Indira Gandhi's assassins, who won the Faridkot constituency in Punjab as an Independent, on June 6 stated that he received offers from both the NDA and UPA blocs but could not decide without consulting his constituents. He emphasized he would never join the Congress and preferred to remain Independent. Upon taking his oath as MP, he stated his plans to address three issues in the Lok Sabha: officially acknowledging Guru Granth Sahib as the ‘living Guru,’ releasing ‘Bandi Singhs,’ and securing guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farmers.
06-Jun-2024
On June 6, on the 40th anniversary of Operation Bluestar, Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Raghbir Singh criticized the government's treatment of Sikhs and called for a humility-based Sikh political approach, in Amritsar in Punjab.
06-Jun-2024
On June 6, Amritsar city remained shut in response to a strike call from the radical organization Dal Khalsa, with nearly all commercial outlets, shops, showrooms, and shopping malls closed. Major markets and commercial hubs were deserted as police maintained vigilance to prevent any incidents.
06-Jun-2024
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), in a statement on June 6, censured actor-turned-Member of Parliament (MP) Kangana Ranaut for her remarks about rising terrorism in Punjab, calling them objectionable. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami stated that Ranaut's comments, following an argument with a Punjabi Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) security personnel at Chandigarh airport, reflected an anti-Punjab mentality. Dhami demanded an unbiased CISF investigation into the incident to ensure justice.
06-Jun-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids on June 6 at nine locations in the districts of Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar, Patiala, Hoshiarpur, and Fatehgarh Sahib in Punjab linked to associates of designated terrorist Goldy Brar in connection with an extortion and firing case. During the raids, incriminating materials, including digital devices, were seized. The NIA also appealed to the public for information through the numbers 0172-2682901 or mobile number 7743002947 for Telegram/WhatsApp, emphasizing that informers' identities would be kept confidential.
06-Jun-2024
Actress and Member of Parliament (MP) elect Kangana Ranaut issued a video statement on June 6 on social media site X, reassuring her safety after reports emerged of a confrontation at Chandigarh airport, where a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) guard allegedly slapped the actress. Kangana recounted being hit and verbally abused by the guard, who cited support for the farmers' protest as her motive. A source suggested that Kangana was slapped for pushing security personnel during a disagreement over her phone during security check.
06-Jun-2024
According to reports, Khalistani preacher and newly elected Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, currently detained under the National Security Act (NSA) in Dibrugarh jail, can only be released if both the state government and the Centre recommend his release. The Punjab Government and the Centre previously recommended extension based on fresh evidence, but details on whether the detention will end or be extended remain unclear. Despite winning the Lok Sabha election from Khadoor Sahib, questions arise on how Amritpal will take oath as an MP while in jail, with the possibility of re-arrest due to multiple FIRs against him in the state.
06-Jun-2024
In the aftermath of the parliamentary elections, the issue of jailed candidates winning seats has come to the forefront after two such candidates, including Khalistani preacher and the chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD) Amritpal Singh, emerged victorious. The constitutional and legal framework allows jailed candidates to take the oath as Members of Parliament but mandates seeking permission from the relevant court. While the Constitution doesn't explicitly disqualify imprisoned individuals from taking the oath, judicial discretion plays a crucial role in determining their participation in parliamentary proceedings.
06-Jun-2024
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) (Non-political) and Kisan Majdoor Morcha (KMM) on June 6 expressed concern over potential punitive measures against CISF constable Kulwinder Kaur, hailing from Mahiwal village in Kapurthala district, Punjab, and warned against adverse actions. The unions demanded a dope test on Kangana Ranaut and cautioned of protests if Kaur's family faced harassment or if she faced punitive actions. Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee's general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher affirmed support for Kaur's family and threatened protests if they faced any trouble.
05-Jun-2024
The electoral victories of jailed Khalistani preacher and chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD), Amritpal Singh, from Punjab’s Khadoor Sahib, and Sarabjit Singh Khalsa, son of Beant Singh, one of Prime Minister (PM) Indira Gandhi's assassins, highlight voters’ disenchantment with mainstream parties. Traditional parties in Punjab faced discredit due to issues such as mounting debt, corruption, farmers’ distress, drug abuse, and overseas migration. Both Singh and Khalsa, who contested as independents, won against major party candidates. Their sudden prominence raises concerns, especially given Punjab's insurgency-prone history and its border with Pakistan.
05-Jun-2024
On June 5 in Dibrugarh, Assam, Rajdev Singh Khalsa, the lawyer of jailed Khalistani preacher and chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD) and winner of the Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat, Amritpal Singh, outlined a legal strategy emphasizing the pursuit of bail for Amritpal, expressing confidence that public support would compel both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) governments to grant relief.
05-Jun-2024
Activists from Dal Khalsa participated in a protest remembrance march on June 5, on the eve of the anniversary of Operation Blue Star, in Amritsar, Punjab.
05-Jun-2024
Sarabjit Singh Khalsa won the Faridkot parliamentary seat as an independent candidate amid a resurgence of Panthic politics in Punjab, alongside jailed Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh. Sarabjit’s campaign, bolstered by Sikh community support, focused on repaying the 'debt' for his father Beant Singh's assassination of Prime Minister (PM) Indira Gandhi, aiming to prioritize issues like the death penalty for sacrilege in Parliament. His victory coincided with the 40th anniversary of Operation Blue Star.
05-Jun-2024
Forty years after Operation Blue Star, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee's (SGPC) INR 1,000-crore damages suit against the Union government remains unresolved. Despite efforts for an out-of-court settlement, including a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in 2023, no progress has been made. The SGPC continues its legal battle, with court proceedings ongoing and dialogue options open.
05-Jun-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with Punjab Police, on June 5 arrested two drug smugglers, identified as Balwinder Singh and Baldev Singh and seized INR 1,97,14,650, one laptop, three smartphones, and two keypad phones from their possession in Kakkar village, Amritsar district. Further investigation is underway, with more details awaited.
05-Jun-2024
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on June 5 criticized Punjab for failing to ensure the presence of police officials as prosecution witnesses in drug cases, despite assurances from the state's police chief. Justice Manjari Nehru Kaul emphasized that apologies and future compliance assurances are no longer acceptable, urging concrete steps and accountability. The criticism arose as Justice Kaul granted bail to an accused in a 2022 drug case.
05-Jun-2024
The police on June 5 busted a racket involved in smuggling drugs and mobile phones inside Amritsar Central Jail, arresting eight persons and seizing 149 grams of opium, INR 8,400 in drug money, a forged ID card with fake signatures of the jail superintendent, along with two mobile phones, in Amritsar district.
05-Jun-2024
The victory of independent candidate Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, son of Beant Singh, one of Prime Minister (PM) Indira Gandhi's assassins, in Faridkot, Punjab, has prompted mainstream political parties to recognize their oversight of the sacrilege incidents of 2015 during this election. Khalsa vowed to raise the issue vigorously in Parliament, emphasizing the lack of justice delivery despite its political exploitation. The neglect of the sacrilege incidents by mainstream parties stirred public discontent, leading to Khalsa's unexpected success and highlighting unresolved grievances within the community.