KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
22-Aug-2023
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of Pakistan Army on August 22 stated that the Pakistan Rangers have arrested six alleged Indian smugglers, identified as Gurmeej, Shinder Singh, Juginder Singh, Vishal, Rattan Pal Singh and Garvender Singh, between July 29 and August 3, for allegedly trying to smuggle “narcotics, weapons and ammunition” into Pakistan. There has been no immediate response from Indian authorities regarding this incident.
17-Jul-2023
Malik Mohd Ahmad Khan, who is the Special Assistant on Defence to Pakistan Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, admitted in an interview on July 17 that Pakistani smugglers are increasingly using drones to transport drugs across the border to India, corroborating previous allegations. In the interview with journalist Hamid Mir in Kasur city, which borders the Indian Punjab, Khan confirmed the use of drones for smuggling. The admission is significant as Khan holds close ties to Pakistan's political and military establishment. The issue of cross-border drug and arms smuggling through drones has been a persistent concern for India, with recent recoveries indicating a continued problem. Kasur is located near Punjab's Khemkaran and Ferozepur. As per recent data from Punjab Police, Ferozepur district alone witnessed 795 FIRs registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act from July 2022-2023. The majority of drug seizures occurred in the Punjab districts bordering Pakistan.
14-Jul-2023
According to reports, a drone carrying heroin crashed in agricultural fields near Hadiara area of Lahore on July 14. Five packets of heroin suspected to be worth millions of rupees were recovered by the police, both the drone and the heroin were handed over to the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) for further investigation.
07-Jul-2023
A drone carrying six kilograms of heroin crashed in the Halloki area of Lahore, Pakistan on July 7. According to Pakistan police, the drone was eventually recovered from Rasoolpura village, which is close to the India-Pakistan border. India’s Border Security Forces (BSF) sources reported increased drone activities near Pakistani border outposts across Ferozepur and Amritsar sectors in Punjab, with Pakistan allegedly utilizing "dummy drones" for smuggling weapons, drugs, and explosives.
29-Jun-2023
According to reports, on June 29, miscreants entered the Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Sukkur, Sindh province of Pakistan, and verbally abused the priests while desecrating the Guru Granth Sahib. The culprits were allegedly released by the police without conducting a proper investigation. This incident raises concerns about the safety of minorities in Pakistan, as recent attacks on Sikhs have sparked alarm.
25-Jun-2023
The Islamic State (IS) group on June 25 claimed responsibility for the killing of a Sikh man Manmohan Singh, who was shot and killed on June 24 in a targeted attack in Peshawar, Pakistan, stating that Singh belonged to a "polytheistic" Sikh sect.
24-Jun-2023
A Sikh shopkeeper named Manmohan Singh was shot dead on June 24, in Rashidgarhi Bazaar in Peshawar in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province of Pakistan by unidentified gunmen. The locals believe it to be a targeted attack, marking the second incident in two days. On June 23, another Sikh shopkeeper, Tarlok Singh, was shot but survived.
21-Jun-2023
On June 21, over 400 Indian Sikh pilgrims have arrived Pakistan to participate in the death anniversary congregation of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
19-Jun-2023
Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on June 19 issued 473 visas to Sikh pilgrims to attend the annual death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh, scheduled to be held in Pakistan from June 21-30.
06-Jun-2023
Pakistan on June 6 issued 215 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India who intended to partake in an annual festival scheduled to occur on the eve of Guru Arjan Dev's martyrdom day.
21-May-2023
According to reports, Sikh women in Pakistan continue to face persecution, marginalization, and violence, contrasting with the progress made by their counterparts in India. Despite constitutional guarantees of women's rights in India, including education and work, Sikh women in Pakistan experience systemic discrimination and are denied essential human rights. They face obstacles such as limited access to education, healthcare, and decision-making, as well as forced marriages and honour killings.
12-May-2023
Anti-Khalistani and social groups accused Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of eliminating non-profitable Indian fugitives and replacing them with younger leaders in a bid to revive Khalistani separatism. The killing of Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) chief Paramjit Singh Panjwar is seen as a result of this policy shift. The new face of Khalistan is 30-year-old Amritpal Singh, while three other Khalistani leaders, Lakhbir Singh Rode, Wadhawa Singh, and Gajinder Singh, who were living under the ISI's protection, have now increased their personal security fearing they could be targeted. Social groups are protesting outside the Pakistan Embassy on May 12.
10-May-2023
According to report, retired Pakistani military officers, Major Adil Raja and Colonel Akbar Hussain, alleged that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) operates a smuggling network involving high-ranking army officers that fuels the Khalistan movement and narco-terrorism. The report claims that the ISI exploited Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) chief Paramjit Singh Panjwar to operate drug cartels and target Punjab's youth. The ISI allegedly raised funds under the guise of black operations and utilised them to finance smuggling and contraband networks. The report also alleges that the Pakistani army used actresses as honey traps.
10-May-2023
The funeral of Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) chief Paramjit Singh Panjwar was held in Lahore in Pakistan. Meanwhile, several Sikh organizations in Punjab and overseas planned to hold prayers for him on May 15.
07-May-2023
According to reports, Pakistan has been reluctant to grant visas to slain Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) chief Paramjit Singh Panjwar's sons, settled in Germany, to attend their father's last rites. The Pakistani media has reported his death as a routine killing of a Sikh. Panjwar was involved in drug and weapons smuggling and accused of various crimes, including killing 18 students in Patiala. The killing is the latest instance of terror kingpins being targeted outside India.
06-May-2023
The wanted Khalistani terrorist and the chief of Khalistan Commando Force (KCF), Paramjit Singh Panjwar, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Lahore in Pakistan on May 6. According to sources, Panjwar was gunned down in the morning by two motorcycle-borne men near his residence in Lahore. He was involved in drug and weapons smuggling and was designated as a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in July 2020. Panjwar, who was the chief of the separatist group Khalistan Commando Force (KCF-Panjwar group), was accused by the Indian government of various illegal activities including arranging arms training, promoting drug trade, smuggling fake Indian currency notes, inciting minorities against the government, and attempting to reactivate former militants, sleeper cells, and those on bail to form a nexus with other forces hostile to India. The KCF was listed as a terrorist organization under the UAPA.
06-May-2023
According to reports, the killing of Paramjit Singh Panjwar alias Sardar Singh Malik, the longest serving head of the banned terrorist organisation Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) could have been a result of inter-gang rivalry or a dispute with other terrorist organizations. Panjwar is the second notorious terrorist killed recently in Pakistan. Earlier in January 2020, Harmeet Singh alias Happy PhD, who headed the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) was also killed.
05-May-2023
According to reports, religious minorities in Pakistan are facing targeted attacks and persecution, with hardly a day passing without an attack. Law enforcement agencies have failed to apprehend the perpetrators of these murders, leaving minorities feeling frustrated and helpless. Pakistan has been designated a "country of particular concern" under the Religious Freedom Act for its flagrant violations, and local law enforcement has failed to protect religious minorities and individuals accused of blasphemy.
15-Apr-2023
During the Baisakhi occasion at Sri Panja Sahib near Rawalpindi, Gopal Singh Chawla, a pro-Khalistan leader based in Pakistan, addressed Indian Sikhs and encouraged them to demand Khalistan. He reportedly compelled the audience to chant "Khalistan Zindabad" and stated that despite being a part of the Shiromani Committee and Delhi Committee, they were still Sikhs and could not openly raise their voices. He expressed a desire for their own country and declared that anyone who is a Guru's Sikh would support his call for ‘Khalistan Zindabad.’
13-Apr-2023
Reports indicate that Khalistani accounts and websites based in Pakistan are spreading false information about the Indian Army in relation to the firing incident at Bathinda military station.
22-Mar-2023
According to reports, Pakistan has commenced a campaign to promote abandoned sacred sites of Sikh and Hindu heritage by renovating them, with the goal of drawing in pilgrims from India and other nations. The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) stated that it has devised a comprehensive strategy to refurbish, maintain, and preserve the Sikh and Hindu religious sites located within Pakistan. As part of this initiative, the ETPB has initiated restoration work at the Prahladpuri Temple, which is situated in the city of Multan in the Punjab province.
10-Mar-2023
The Pakistani government has permitted the publication of religious books for students from Sikh and Christian minority communities under the supervision of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (PMTA). Anjum James Paul, the chairman of (PMTA), said that it will help minority students to learn about their religion in schools. However, minority groups, including Hindus, Buddhists, Parsees, Kalash, and Baha’is, are still not permitted to print their religious textbooks in Pakistan.
01-Mar-2023
According to a Pakistan government notification released on March 1, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appointed Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora as the Ambassador-at-Large for Kartarpur Corridor as part of efforts to draw Sikh pilgrims from all over the world.
24-Feb-2023
The Pakistani media on February 24 highlighted how supporters of pro-Khalistan Sikh leader Amritpal Singh 'staged a large demonstration in Amritsar on February 23 and put the Indian Punjab Police on the back foot'. Also, it mentioned, "the demand for Khalistan by Sikhs in Indian Punjab is gathering pace."
25-Jan-2023
According to reports in Pakistan, the gold-plated kalash that used to rest atop the dome of the Palki Sahib (palanquin) installed at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartapur Sahib, in Pakistan, has gone missing, leading to suspicion that it had been stolen from the Sikh shrine.
25-Jan-2022
The founder of Dal Khalsa and UK-based Sikh separatist leader, Jaswant Singh Thekedar accused Pakistan of using Sikhs to fulfill its nefarious motives against India. Thekedar, who is a pro-Khalistan leader himself, said that Pakistan is least bothered about the welfare of Sikhs. In a TV interview, he said, “Pakistan has never been a sympathiser of Sikhs and will never be. They can never help Khalistanis. If Pakistan wanted to help Khalistanis, then why it did not give passports to those seeking political asylum. They don’t even have a residence permit. Pakistan is using Sikhs as props for the last 40 years to target India.” He also acknowledged the steps being taken by the BJP-led India government for the welfare of the Sikhs. He also slammed Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US-based member of banned pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), saying he does anything only at Pakistan’s direction. “Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is not even a Sikh, he parrots Pakistan's script. He makes statement only at the direction of Pakistan and just for money. He can never fight for Khalistan and never did in the past. His motive is to only make money and not Khalsa. He is only instigating the people of India. They get money for making statements against India and causing violence,” he added.
19-Jan-2022
The self-styled president of Khalistan, Sewa Singh Lalli welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement to observe December 26 as “Veer Bal Diwas”. Lalli, in his social media post in Punjabi, said, “this government has encouraged and initiated some virtuous deeds towards Sikhism. Let’s encourage it even more. Hints are enough for the wise.” He wrote, “The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly welcomes the martyrdom of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji, as Veer Bal Diwas in India”. “The history of Sahibzada’s unique sacrifice can now be read in government institutions and schools, colleges, educational institutions all over India. It is the duty of the responsible Sikh leaders in particular to respect this decision and to further encourage the historic decision taken in favour of Sikhism”, he added.
16-Jan-2022
According to reports, Sikh community in the United Kingdom (UK) has started to push back against the anti-India campaign led by the Khalistani elements. The leaders of the UK Sikh community, on January 16, gathered at Gurdwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha, located in Park Avenue, Southall, and passed a resolution thanking Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government for doing so much for the Sikh community and helping to bridge the misunderstandings.
31-Dec-2021
According to Pakistani newspapers, the British Sikh community held voting on the Khalistan Referendum at four locations, with thousands of people, including a 95-year-old Sikh woman, turning out to vote in the non-binding referendum on December 31. Gurdwaras Singh Sabha in Hounslow, Gurdwaras Singh Sabha in Slough, Guru Nanak Gurdwaras in Wednesfield, and Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick held Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) sponsored voting on December 31, 2021.
09-Dec-2021
The high court in England on December 9 rejected an appeal by Indian authorities seeking permission to appeal against a magistrates’ court order turning down the extradition on human rights grounds of Kuldeep Singh alias Keepa Sidhu (44), wanted in India as an alleged senior member of the banned terrorist organisation Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF). Singh, is charged with conspiring with others to commit terror activities in Punjab dating back to 2015-16, including a plot to assassinate then chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. Singh is also accused of recruiting youths in Punjab to the banned KZF organisation by offering them money and organising a meeting of separatists in a gurdwara.
31-Oct-2021
According to reports, the Khalistan referendum, which was held in London on October 31, turned out to be a damp squib. According to UK watchers, the claims of high turnout in the voting to decide whether Khalistan should be carved out of Punjab is being projected by Pakistani media. A majority of the voters were backed by Pakistan, the sources said, adding that the total number was less than 2,000. The Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), which organised the referendum, failed to get even 100-150 voters in the first half and various outfits associated with the Khalistan movement - like Federation of Sikh organization (FSO) and World Sikh Parliament (WSP) - pressed their workers to come and vote, said UK watchers. The organisers had pressed into service buses to ferry people from different parts of the UK, but even they could not bring a large number of people, said the source.
06-Jun-2021
According to reports, two Indian flags were set on fire and stamped on during a remembrance march and "freedom rally" by some Khalistani supporters in London, United Kingdom, held to mark the anniversary of 1984 Operation Blue Star. The report quoted the Indian High Commission in London as saying that it was "extremely concerned and distressed" by what happened and vowed it would take action against those who desecrated the national flag. The incident reportedly took place at Trafalgar Square and some bystanders shouted "Khalistan Zindabad". Pro-Khalistani British Sikhs marched in London city, which started from Wellington Arch, led by the Panj Pyare, the five beloveds with their swords drawn, passed through the iconic route of the Constitution Hill and The Mall to Trafalgar Square. Addressing the march, the Sikh leaders said the events of 1984 took place 37 years after India gained independence in 1947, but the horror memories of those events would live forever in the minds of millions of Sikhs around the world, who feel deeply aggrieved at the Indian atrocities during the genocide carried out by the Indian Army.
25-Nov-2020
The banned secessionist organization – Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) announced to organise a “global referendum” from the United Kingdom (UK) on August 15, 2021. SFJ’s chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun circulated the anti-India message on some specific internet platforms regarding the move. The message was followed by a short video shot by Pannun who claimed to leave SFJ’s mark in the national capital on November 25 by raising pro-Khalistan slogans. In the header of the video message, the SFJ mentioned, “Khalistan slogans at Delhi Metro and Khalistan flag raised at Yamuna Bridge Crossing.” Also, the message further claimed “the supporters of secessionist group SFJ have left their mark in the Indian capital by writing Khalistan slogans at Delhi Metro and also a flag has been raised at the Yamuna bridge crossing. Khalistan flag at Yamuna crossing is message to Modi government about the boundaries of independent Punjab for which SFJ is organising global referendum starting from London on 15th August 2021.” However, the security agencies refuted any such activity in the national capital and are keeping a strict vigil in the suspected areas across the capital city to avoid any untoward activity.
19-Aug-2020
India refuted as absolutely untrue allegations that a British Sikh man arrested on charges relating to terrorism is being tortured in Tihar Jail in New Delhi after group of demonstrators staged a protest outside 10 Downing Street in London. The Indian High Commission in London in a statement said, Jagtar Singh Johal has been arrested on serious charges relating to terrorism. It is untrue that he is being held without any charges. The prosecuting agency, NIA (National Investigation Agency), has already filed charge sheet in the court of law and he is presently undergoing judicial proceedings as per the law of the land. It is absolutely untrue that he has been subjected to torture. He has been granted consular access several times to the UK High Commission in New Delhi. Further, institutional safeguards like the Human Rights Commission exist to investigate any such allegation, it said. Earlier, the protesters waved placards and made speeches to protest British national Jagtar Singh Johal's detention in India for 1,020 days. His brother, Gurpreet Singh Johal, handed in a letter for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson seeking his intervention over the alleged third-degree torture and mistreatment and lack of charges against his younger brother in India. Johal, a 33-year-old Scottish-born Sikh, was in Jalandhar with his family for his wedding in October 2017 when he was arrested by police in the city.
15-Aug-2020
British Pakistani and Kashmiri community held a demonstration outside Indian High Commission London on August 15 afternoon to mark India’s Independence Day as ‘Black day’ which was also joined by Indian Sikh community. The participants carried flags of Pakistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Khalistan.
13-Aug-2020
The new Indian High Commissioner, Gaitri Issar Kumar, said that New Delhi will take all measures at its disposal to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity. She said in an interview that “the people of Punjab and the Government of India have worked together over the years to successfully root out the Khalistan ‘movement’ — extremist entities associated with Khalistan terrorism — in the early 90s in India. We are aware that many of these terrorist entities connected with the Khalistan movement continue their activities based in the UK and other western countries, where they had fled to. It is well known that they operate in close cooperation with Pakistan-backed perpetrators of terror to create instability in J&K and other parts of India.” “Our government has a number of institutional mechanisms for sharing relevant information on all these organisations with the UK, including regular dialogue and robust cooperation in a variety of areas related to our convergent security and defence interests.” She added that “We appreciate the position taken by the UK government on the Khalistan issue — that they see Punjab as an integral part of India.” “As for ‘Sikhs for Justice’, its supporters must be aware of this organisation’s involvement in serious terror-related and other illegal activities for which many are wanted in India. My government has officially sought the proscription of the terror entity ‘Sikhs for Justice’ in the UK”, she said.
12-Aug-2020
Businessman and chairman of British Sikh Association, Lord Rami Ranger said that British Prime Minister has assured him that the British Government does not support Khalistan movement in the UK or any activity against India. Lord Ranger said that, “I informed Prime Minister Johnson that there are some separatist organisations working for Khalistan and they want to separate Punjab, the Indian side of Punjab from India. Prime Minister categorically assured me that the British Government does not support such organisations or anything against India.” Recently, Lord Ranger was criticised for his tweet asserting the Prime Minister’s support. Preeti Gill, member of Parliament Labour party, had replied to the post, saying, “The principle of self-determination is prominently embodied in Article 1 of the Charter of the United Nations. It is positioned as the first right in the twin Human Rights Covenants-the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and (ICESCR). Most concerning.” Mentioning the fiery twitter interaction with Preet Gill, Lord Ranger said, “You don’t get self-determination on Twitter sitting 5000 miles away. You have to go and fight your cause with the people and test your popularity.” He further called out the organisations and people pushing for Khalistan, to renounce their British Passports, go to India, form a political party and do something “worthwhile” if they really believe in it.
10-Aug-2020
Indian Diaspora in UK has written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to stop any protests by Pakistan and its supported Khalistani supporters near the High Commission of India building in London on August 15, the day Indians celebrate India's Independence Day. "August 15 is a National Day celebrated by Indians and across the world by Indian diaspora. It is the day when the first foundation stone was laid to form the union of states and a vibrant democratic country by gaining Independence. This day is a joyous movement for all Indians/ British Indians settled in the UK too", said the letter submitted to PM. The letter added, "However, Pakistan and Pakistan supported violent Khalistan groups have been a hindrance to our celebrations by creating unrest and violently attacking celebrators at the High Commission of India, London in recent years. This pattern is observed more in recent years and every year the violence has gone a step further". The Indian Diaspora added, "We would like to mention the violent attacks by sharp weapons on police personnel too apart from Indians gathered to celebrate last year (2019). British government and local administration allowing Pakistan and Pakistan support Khalistan groups to carry out violent protests has deeply hurt Indian Diaspora".
09-Aug-2020
The Sikh Federation UK has taken great exception to Lord Raminder Ranger’s comment over Khalistan, stressing that self-determination is a basic human right enshrined in international law and Article 1 of UN Charter. The Sikh Federation intervened after a row broke out on social media between Shadow International Development Secretary Preet Kaul Gill MP and Conservative Party’s Lord Raminder Ranger.
07-Aug-2020
The British Sikh Association defied the Sikh Federation UK for its demand for an independent state for the Sikhs after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson assured that his government does not support the Khalistan movement. A British businessman Lord Raminder (Rami) Ranger tweeted, "Today, I spoke with the British Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Boris Johnson who categorically assured me that British government does not support the Khalistan movement. Thank you, Prime Minister." His comment was countered by Labour Party MP for Birmingham Preet Kaur Gill, who said, "The principle of self-determination is prominently embodied in Article 1 of the Charter of the United Nations. It is positioned as the first right in the twin Human Rights Covenants -- the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and (ICESCR). Most concerning." Kuldeep Singh Shekhawat, a journalist based in London said, "This (Khalistan) is (a) fake idea. There is no one in India demanding Khalistan in India. Indian Sikhs know that India is for them and they are for India." However, the Sikh Federation UK, which is allegedly working on the behest of Pakistan's secret agency, supported Preet Kaur Gill saying that "Sikhs have a legal and historical right to their own homeland, the British signed treaties with the Sikh Kingdom which are valid today. The betrayal of the British and Gandhi/Nehru Congress in 1947 is the reason for ongoing Sikh revolutionary movements. They won't stop until freedom."
01-Aug-2020
After the British government dismissed its referendum 2020, the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) stated that, “One we establish consensus on the question of independence, we will then present the case to the United Nations for re-establishing the country of Punjab. Punjab Referendum 2020 is an unofficial referendum where the outcome is not legally binding on India. Yet with an overwhelming ‘yes’ vote this unofficial referendum will start the process through which we will eventually conduct an official legally binding referendum in Punjab, thereby peacefully establishing Khalistan.” “Today UK believes in India’s territorial integrity but tomorrow when they will see an overwhelming Sikhs supporting the independence of Punjab, I am sure they will reconsider the position,” it added.
30-Jul-2020
The British government rejected the Khalistani extremist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ)'s Referendum 2020 which seeks the separation of Punjab from rest of India saying that it considers Punjab as part of India. A British High Commission spokesperson said, “This is a matter for the government and people of India, not foreign countries or overseas organisations. While we support the right of anyone to voice their opinion, the UK government is not involved in any way with this unofficial and non-binding referendum," he said, adding, "We consider the Indian Punjab to be a part of India.” The development comes, days after Canada dismissed support for Khalistani separatism.
29-Jun-2020
The Sikh Federation UK (SFUK) is celebrating a ‘victory’ in its campaign to get a Sikh ethnic tick-box added to the 2021 UK census after Scottish ministers agreed to put a prompt for Sikhs in the ‘other’ part of the ethnicity response options. They also assured to ‘monitor Sikhs as an ethnic group as well as religion’ going forwards.
09-Jun-2020
According to media reports, Khalistani organizations have not only increased significantly in the UK recently, but they have also emerged as a profitable business venture for those who do not have any other source to earn a living. Most of these organizations have joined hands with umbrella organizations of Federation of Sikh Organizations (FSO), Sikh Council UK (SCUK) or World Sikh Parliament (WSP) to remain in the limelight, report said. Though these organizations may not have the support of most of the Sikh population in the UK, they keep on competing among each other to wrest the control of the management of Gurudwaras in the UK. An officer working in a security establishment said that "It serves them multiple purposes like easy funding in name of sewa and charity, captive audience to listen to their propaganda from the stage, availability of ready-made venues for various meetings and events and the garb of a charitable organization to carry out their ulterior tasks." "Once established, these organizations diversify into media, university unions and politics, to create a larger base for Khalistan cause,” another officer said. "And for the survival of these few individuals and Gurudwaras, the need to keep Khalistan alive is essential for their own benefits. Midland Langar Seva, Sikh2inspire, British Organisation of Sikh Students are few of the benign forms that these tendencies have brought forward and are actively engaged in attracting youth to their perception of Sikh values," the official said.
07-Jun-2020
A UK-based prominent member of the Sikh Community, Navdeep Singh challenged Akal Takht Jathedar’s recent assertion that "it is ready to accept the sovereign state of Khalistan if the Indian government makes such an offer". Navdeep Singh, in an open letter to Giani Harpreet Singh, the acting Jathedar of Akal Takht asserted that not even one-fourth members of the community favour Khalistan. “We Sikhs have seen much at the time of Partition to know what it does with a nation and its people. There are many of us who’s ancestral homes, their memories of childhood, the place they were born, now lies in Pakistan. We still remember the painful memories of 1947. So, we would never want another such event to happen in our lifetime or with our future generations,” Singh wrote in his letter.
07-Jun-2020
A few members of the Sikh community marched from the Hyde Park in the British capital to Trafalgar Square to commemorate the anniversary of Operation Blue Star. This year, however, the coronavirus pandemic and its related restrictions prevented a mass gathering. The organisers said they had, therefore, closely liaised with the authorities and agreed on a much smaller event for June 7, with social distancing and everyone's safety in mind.
05-Jun-2020
The UK’s first turbaned Sikh Member of Parliament (MP) and the Labour Party politician, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi called for an independent inquiry into the extent of the involvement of the then Margaret Thatcher led British government in the Operation Blue Star in June 1984. While raising the issue in the House of Commons to mark 36 years of operation at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, also called for a debate on the issue.
02-Jun-2020
The largest Gurudwara in the UK, Guru Sri Singh Sabha, located at Havelock Road in Southhall recently put up a picture of slain Khalistani terrorist leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale along with the picture of Guru Arjan Dev, who was the fifth guru of Sikhs. Some Sikhs wearing jackets with Khalistan logo were also seen in the premises of the Gurudwara giving out food packets to those in need in this period of Covid-19. Calling these elements terrorists, Lord Ranger, the Chairman of British Sikh Council said, “I will be taking up the matter to the highest level.”
29-May-2020
The pro-Khalistani group, World Sikh Parliament (WSP) condemned the recent attack on Derby Gurdwara in UK carried out by a Pakistani origin Muslim man, identified as Mohammed Ibrar on May 25.
27-May-2020
According to reports, Derby Police will look into possible terrorism links as part of their wider investigation into the attack on Guru Arjan Dev Gurudwara Derby, UK.