KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
21-Apr-2021
According to media reports, the Sikh community in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) of Pakistan is facing troubles as the members of the community are once again receiving calls from extortionists. A local Sikh trader who has a cosmetics shop in the Karkhano Market recently received a call from Afghan numbers asking him to pay ‘charity money’ to the militants. The businessman has received two calls for extortion in a short span of two days and is being threatened with dire consequences if he failed to pay up. The Hayatabad police have opened an inquiry into the case.
20-Apr-2021
Pakistan’s Punjab Government has issued a resolution which defines the Government’s position towards the Sikh community and puts in a strong plea for the maintenance of cordial relations between the Sikhs and the Government.
19-Apr-2021
Sikh pilgrims celebrated the 322nd Baisakhi Mela at Gurudwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur. Around 818 Sikhs from India came to border town Kartarpur through the corridor in a procession. Other than India, pilgrims from Pakistan, Dubai, the US and Canada were also participated in the Baisakhi festival.
14-Feb-2021
Six packets of heroin weighing 6.38 kilograms were recovered from the India-Pakistan border in Amritsar District.
11-Feb-2021
The Border Security Force (BSF) arrested a drug peddler, identified as Mandeep Singh, near Attari along the International Border (IB) with Pakistan in Amritsar District. During search across the barbed fencing, the personnel recovered 10 packets containing 10.7 kilograms of heroin. When challenged, the BSF men heard sounds cocking of weapons and opened fire in self-defence. Mandeep was injured while his accomplice fled from the spot. During search, the BSF found heroin in a bag.
13-Jan-2021
The Border Security Force (BSF) recovered 12 kilograms of heroin, worth INR 600 million in the international market, near India-Pakistan International Border (IB) in Amritsar district. “We seized 12 packets of the contraband near the border fence. The area is manned by 88 Bn, BSF, Amritsar sector. A 13-foot-long PVC pipe was also found there. It was probably used to push packets across the border. No arrest has been made so far,” a BSF official said.
17-Dec-2020
The Border Security Force (BSF) shot dead two militants near the Attari area along the India-Pakistan International Border (IB) in Amritsar District. The armed Pakistani militants were attempting to infiltrate into the Indian side of the border when they were gunned down. Their identities are yet to be ascertained
05-Dec-2020
The Border Security Force (BSF) recovered five packets of heroin weighing 5.360 kilograms along the Indo-Pakistan border at Ferozepur sector of Ferozepur District.
27-Aug-2020
The Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) invited Sikh pilgrims from India to offer ''Jyoti Jyot Gurpurab'' prayers at the historic Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Punjab province of Pakistan next month.
26-Aug-2020
In a first, the ‘jyoti jot’ diwas (death anniversary) of Guru Nanak Dev would be observed at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur Sahib, on September 22. The decision was taken during a meeting of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) and the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB).
05-Aug-2020
Some Sikh religious and political leaders in Pakistan came out in the open to exhort the community to ‘help’ militant movements in Kashmir. Messages were delivered to the Pakistani Sikh community on August 5, which is being observed as Youm-i-Istehsal (the day of exploitation) in Pakistan. The Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSPGC) president Satwant Singh in his video message said that supporting Kashmiris in their “cause” is their duty, which they would continue to perform. He claimed that Kashmiris are being subjected to atrocities and denied their rights. “Sikhs have been helping the oppressed and it is time for the Sikhs to help Kashmiris,” he said.
04-Aug-2020
The Sikh bodies in Pakistani-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including Sikh Intellectuals Circle J&K, International Sikh Federation, Sikh Students Federation and Sikh Youths of J&K said that the entire Sikh community had decided to observe 5th August as Siege Day. They demanded restoration of special status of Jammu and Kashmir and release of all Kashmiri political detainees.
28-Jul-2020
According to reports, after the refusal by Canadian government to recognize Sikhs For Justice (SFJ)’s Referendum 2020 campaign, there is likelihood that Pakistan government could also rebuff SFJ to continue with its anti-India agenda from its soil. Pakistan has earlier declined SFJ’s request to hold registration for Referendum 2020 among Indian Sikhs who had gone there with Sikh jatha to celebrate Baisakhi last year (2019). The President of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) Satwant Singh disassociated himself with SFJ, its Referendum 2020 campaign and its legal advisor Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and said that PSGPC had not received any request to hold any function with regards to Referendum 2020 in any of the gurdwaras. “Let the request come then we will discuss in the meeting and take appropriate decisions”, he said. Another senior Sikh leader from Lahore who didn’t wish to give his name said that “We will not allow SFJ to hold any function or the voters registration for Sikhs of Pakistan, we (Pakistani Sikhs) will not be the part of his personal agenda, even our local Pakistani friends have started asking us whether we will betray with Pakistan for Khalistan”.
28-Jul-2020
Sikhs in Pakistan want the Imran Khan government to deal with those staking claim over the historical Gurdwara Shaheedi Asthan in Lahore at its own level and restore confidence among minorities. Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) president Satwant Singh said, that “Sikhs across the world are sad to hear the news about Gurdwara Shaheed Bhai Taru Singh. The vision of the Pakistan government, especially Prime Minister Imran Khan, is to promote peace and brotherhood. The incident that happened at Shaheedi Asthan is the act of an individual. There is a plot behind the gurdwara, which is a property of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETBP). They plan to grab that plot. This is wrong and can’t be tolerated.” Meanwhile, the ETPB, a Pakistan government body under which the PSGPC works, has lodged a complaint against Suhail Butt Attari, who is seen intimidating the Sikh community in Pakistan.
26-Jul-2020
An activist of Dawat-e-Islami (Beraillwi), who is also a caretaker of Mazar of Muslim prophet Hazrat Shah Kaku Chesti in Lahore has threatened the minority Sikh community saying that Pakistan is an Islamic nation that belongs to Muslims. In a video, Sohail Butt, who also runs a shop in Landa Bazar, along with some local activists have occupied the land of Gurudwara Shaheed Bhai Taru Singh and has threatened Gopal Singh Chawla, the former chief of Pakistan Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (PGPC) who hoisted Shri Nishan Sahib (a Sikh symbol) at the Gurudwara last year. Sohail claims that the land on which Gurudwara Shaheed Bhai Taru Singh and its adjoining 4-5 kanals of Gurudwara land belong to Mazar of Muslim prophet Hazrat Shah Kaku Chesti and adjoining Masjid Shaheed Ganj.
22-Jul-2020
The Baluchistan government handed over a 200-year-old Gurudwara to the Sikh community. The Siri Guru Singh Gurdwara located on Masjid Road in the centre of the city has been used as APWA Government High Girls School for 73 years since the creation of Pakistan in 1947.
16-Jul-2020
Gopal Singh Chawla, a Khalistani activist based in Pakistan, issued a video statement threatening former Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Manjit Singh GK for leading the protest outside Pakistan high commission in New Delhi.
13-Jul-2020
According to officials, Pakistan government laid a 16,000 feet artificial turf in the courtyard of the Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara to facilitate bare-footed pilgrims walk on the marble floor in the scorching heat.
29-Jun-2020
Pakistan reopened the Kartarpur Corridor more than three months after it was temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but no Indian pilgrim visited the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib. "Pakistan today opened the Kartarpur Corridor. However, no Indian pilgrim visited it,” Evacuee Trust Property Board Deputy (ETPB) Director Imran Khan said.
27-Jun-2020
Pakistan decided to reopen Kartarpur Corridor for all the Sikh pilgrims on June 29, 2020, on the occasion of the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh, announced by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Twitter on June 27. He underscored that Pakistan is conveying to the Indian side its readiness to reopen the corridor. The corridor was temporarily closed on March 16 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure that necessary precautions are taken, Pakistan has invited India to discuss standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the reopening.
25-Jun-2020
Nankana Sahib Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur alias Ayesha Bibi’s statement couldn’t be recorded in the Lahore high court once again after the couple reportedly requested to transfer their case to another judge.
21-Jun-2020
Pakistan’s former Railway Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique offended Sikh sentiments by dubbing the great Sikh emperor Maharaja Ranjit Singh as a profligate, dacoit and looter. He also leveled allegations of desecrating and looting mosques on Maharaja Ranjit Singh. “Ranjit Singh Ayash was a dacoit looter ruler who openly desecrated Muslim faith mosques and Sufi shrines, looted heavily and forcibly imposed Sikh beliefs. Established oppressive Dogra rule over Kashmir,” reads the English translation of Khawaja Saad Rafique’s tweet.
21-Jun-2020
Reacting to Khawaja Saad Rafique’s derogatory statement on Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Pakistani Sikh leader Gopal Singh Chawla said that Khawaja Saad Rafique was trying to earn political mileage and hide his failures by leveling baseless allegations on the great Sikh ruler. Chawla, while recalling the tenure of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, said that no one got capital punishment during his four decades-long regime.
21-Jun-2020
The Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) president Satwant Singh said that, “The words used by the former railway minister are highly objectionable. The Sikh community in Pakistan and the gurdwara management committee strongly condemn these words.”
11-Jun-2020
Due to the covid19 pandemic, this year, the Sikh community in Pakistan will quietly mark the death anniversaries of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Guru Arjan Dev. The Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) Secretary-General, Sardar Amir Singh said that “Due to the Covid-19 virus, the Sikh community will mark the death anniversaries of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Guru Arjan Dev in the most simple manner.” According to sources, Sikh pilgrims from all over the world, including India, will not be able to take part in the religious ceremonies to mark the important events on the Nanakshahi Calendar this month.
06-Nov-2023
A British Sikh man, Jatinder Singh, who claimed he was barred from jury duty in Birmingham Crown Court due to carrying a kirpan, has been invited by authorities to discuss the matter in Birmingham, United Kingdom (UK). The incident sparked concern and led to an apology from the Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS). British Sikh MP Preet Kaur Gill expressed deep concern about the incident, highlighting the need for clearer communication of guidelines to prevent discrimination against individuals based on their religious practices in jury service.
05-Nov-2023
Akaal Clothing, a pro-Khalistani clothing line that previously launched a hoodie depicting the assassination of former Prime Minister (PM) Indira Gandhi, announced on November 5, in a post on Instagram, that they have cancelled all orders for the controversial item. The hoodie gained attention when Canadian pro-Khalistani singer Shubh held it during a concert in London, United Kingdom (UK), sparking backlash and criticism on social media. The clothing line cited 'unforeseen circumstances' and increased scrutiny as reasons for the cancellation, stating that they would issue full refunds.
03-Nov-2023
Birmingham Member of Parliament (MP) Preet Kaur Gill has written to the Justice Secretary, bringing attention to the case of Jatinder Singh, a Sikh who claimed he was barred from a court during jury service for wearing a kirpan, a religious article central to his faith. Singh was denied entry due to the size of his kirpan, despite it being within legal limits. MP Gill emphasized the importance of protecting and respecting Sikhs' rights and religious freedoms. She called for clear communication of guidelines regarding kirpans to ensure inclusivity and the ability to perform civic duties without compromising religious beliefs. The Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) issued an apology to Mr. Singh following the incident.
11-Oct-2023
The Chief Coroner Judge Thomas Teague KC on October 11 declared that he ‘does not have the power’ to order an investigation into the death of Avtar Singh Khanda, a Khalistani terrorist who succumbed to leukaemia at Birmingham City Hospital on June 15. Earlier, Barrister Michael Polak, representing Khanda's mother, Charanjit Kaur, and his sister, Jaspreet Kaur, formally petitioned the chief coroner to launch an inquiry into Khanda's passing, citing section S3 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.
07-Oct-2023
The Sikh restaurant owner in London, UK, Harman Singh Kapoor, whose cars were allegedly vandalized by Khalistani elements recently, on October 7 claimed that he has been receiving threats for the past nine months. Kapoor, who is currently in New Delhi, stated that the pro-Khalistan elements are defaming Sikhs, Hindus, and India. He further noted that the individuals who attempted to harm him were Sikhs. Kapoor asserted, "They are maligning Sikhs, Hindus, and India. I earnestly desire for this conflict to cease. Regrettably, no concrete action was taken by the authorities; they merely documented my complaint. The police have yet to apprehend the culprits, allowing the Khalistanis to remain at large. It appears that Khalistanis enjoy support within the police force and are considered political assets in that region. In the event of an assault on a fellow countryman, the accused ought to be apprehended. Unfortunately, in my case, these Khalistanis were not taken into custody by the police."
06-Oct-2023
British Prime Minister (PM) Rishi Sunak expressed his hope for a reduction in tensions within the India-Canada diplomatic dispute during a conversation with his Canadian counterpart, Justin Trudeau on October 6. The discussion primarily revolved around the ongoing standoff regarding the assassination of a Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. Sunak reiterated the UK's commitment to upholding the rule of law, particularly in light of Canada's accusations of Indian involvement in the assassination of a wanted pro-Khalistan terrorist.
05-Oct-2023
Satyam Surana, a student at the London School of Economics (LSE), in an interview, described his actions during a recent pro-Khalistan protest at the Indian embassy on October 2 in London, United Kingdom (UK), where Khalistani protestors desecrated the Indian tricolour. Surana explained how he felt compelled to rescue and fold the Tricolour with reverence after it was desecrated during the protest. Satyam shared that his actions were driven by a sense of duty as an Indian, despite the presence of hostile extremists at the scene. The flag is currently held by the police as evidence.
03-Oct-2023
Scotland Police on October 3 stated that no criminal activity was established during its investigation into the incident in which the Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), Vikram Doraiswami, was denied entry and heckled at a gurdwara in Glasgow. Pro-Khalistan Sikh activists had denied him entry in response to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. The Glasgow Gurdwara released a statement condemning the disruption and reaffirming its openness to people from all communities and backgrounds.
02-Oct-2023
Pro-Khalistan protesters gathered outside the High Commission of India, waving anti-India placards and chanting slogans, in London, United Kingdom (UK) on October 2. The protest aimed to draw attention to Canadian Prime Minister Justin (PM) Trudeau's allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strongly denied. The call for the protest stated that Sikhs intend to address domestic concerns, such as the questionable demise of Khalistani terrorist Avtar Singh Khanda.
02-Oct-2023
The Sikh Federation (UK) held a press conference in London on October 2, formally requesting the Chief Coroner for England and Wales to open an inquest into the death of Khalistani terrorist Avtar Singh Khanda. Khanda passed away in Birmingham in June 2023 while in London, United Kingdom (UK). The family's barrister, Michael Polak, highlighted suspicions surrounding Khanda's death, citing the timing and previous death threats with connections to Indian politics. West Midlands Police had initially stated that there were no suspicious circumstances, attributing the cause of death to acute leukemia or blood cancer in the post-mortem report.
02-Oct-2023
Khalistani terrorist Paramjeet Singh Pamma led anti-India chants outside the High Commission of India in London, United Kingdom (UK) on October 2. He was seen waving anti-India placards and chanting slogans. At the same venue, the Indian flag was defiled, and slogans against Indian Prime Ministers were raised. Pamma is wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for promoting secessionism and radicalizing Punjab's youth. He is associated with banned Khalistani terror groups like Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF).
02-Oct-2023
Scotland Yard on October 2 arrested a British Sikh man on suspicion of 'violent disorder' in connection with the March 2023 attack on the Indian High Commission in London, United Kingdom (UK).
02-Oct-2023
According to reports, Gurcharan Singh, a member of the pro-Khalistani group Dal Khalsa, was arrested on October 2 for committing a hate crime against Gujaratis in the United Kingdom (UK) back on March 22. However, he was subsequently released on a personal bond. Gurucharan Singh was detained by UK law enforcement outside the Indian High Commission in London on October 2, where he was participating in anti-India demonstrations alongside other pro-Khalistan activists. During these protests, Gurcharan Singh had poured cow urine on the Indian tricolour flag. Additionally, a video had previously circulated on social media showing Gurcharan Singh verbally abusing a Gujarati Hindu in London during a demonstration against the Government of India's actions related to Amritpal Singh on March 22.
01-Oct-2023
The Sikh Federation United Kingdom (SFUK) decided to formally request a coroner’s inquest on October 2 into the death of Khalistani terrorist Avtar Singh Khanda, which occurred in Birmingham, UK June 2023. They alleged that Khanda had received threats from individuals connected to the Indian state and suspected foul play in his death. Although it was recorded as acute myeloid leukaemia, they believe it could be related to radiation poisoning. Pro-Khalistani Sikhs also plan to protest outside the Indian High Commission in London, UK on October 2, accusing the Indian government of involvement in the death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, Canada.
01-Oct-2023
Colin Bloom, a former adviser to the United Kingdom (UK) government and renowned author, recently expressed concerns about the rising Khalistan extremism in Western nations. He emphasized the need for collective action to address the aggressive behaviour among some members of the Sikh community, highlighting the failure of Western governments, including the UK, US, and Canada, to tackle this growing problem. He called for stronger efforts to protect Sikhs who distance themselves from extremism and pointed out the false appearance of legitimacy that some pro-Khalistan Sikh groups portray. This issue requires immediate attention to prevent further harm and division within multicultural societies.
30-Sep-2023
Two of the three individuals involved in the incident targeting Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami on September 29 in Glasgow, Scotland, have been identified as Shamsher Singh and Ranveer Singh, both based in London. Ranveer Singh was photographed at a shooting practice range with a rifle and wearing a T-shirt advocating for the release of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist Jagtar Singh Hawara, who was involved in the assassination plot against Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh in 1995, resulting in multiple casualties. The Scottish police are currently in the process of gathering statements from all parties involved, and they are prepared to take appropriate action against the extremists.
30-Sep-2023
A Sikh restaurant owner, identified as Harman Singh Kapoor had his car shot at and vandalized by unidentified Khalistani assailants in West London, United Kingdom (UK), on September 30. Kapoor had previously spoken out against Khalistani elements in the UK. Insightuk2, a British Hindu and Indian group, asserted that the Kapoor family had been facing continuous threats of violence and rape from suspected Khalistan sympathizers. This incident follows ongoing threats and attacks against his family after they posted a video criticizing the Khalistan movement on social media.
30-Sep-2023
Leaders from the United Kingdom (UK), including Anne-Marie Trevelyan and Colin Bloom, on September 30 expressed concern about an incident in which Khalistani extremists prevented Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami from entering a gurdwara in Scotland on September 29. They called for action against these Khalistani extremist elements.
30-Sep-2023
The Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom (UK) on September 30 issued a statement after Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami was prevented from entering a Gurdwara in Glasgow, Scotland, on September 29, terming it a "disgraceful incident" in London, UK. The Glasgow Gurdwara issued a statement strongly condemning the disruptive behaviour that disrupted the peaceful proceedings of the Sikh place of worship. The incident was also reported to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Metropolitan Police.
30-Sep-2023
The Glasgow Guru Granth Sahib Gurudwara in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom (UK), on September 30, apologized to Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami for the incident that occurred on September 29 when Khalistani extremists prevented him from entering the temple. The gurdwara committee assured Doraiswami that the individuals involved were not part of their regular congregation and invited him to visit again. Two of the extremists involved have been identified, including one with connections to the banned Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), which was involved in a past assassination plot.
29-Sep-2023
The United Kingdom (UK)-based Sikh Federation on September 29 urged Sikhs in the UK to contact their Members of Parliament (MPs) for clarification from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Suella Braverman regarding the measures that the police will implement to safeguard Sikh activists potentially at risk, following the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. According to reports, on October 2, Sikhs in the UK also intend to stage a demonstration outside the Indian High Commission in London, UK. There are approximately 500,000 Sikhs in the UK, and India has expressed concerns about anti-India activities related to the Khalistan movement in the UK.
29-Sep-2023
Radical British Sikh activists prevented Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), Vikram Doraiswami, from entering a gurdwara in Scotland, UK, on September 29. Sikh Youth UK posted a video of the incident on Instagram, showing the activists disputing with the gurdwara committee and attempting to approach Doraiswami's car, which eventually left. The activists expressed their opposition to Indian officials visiting gurdwaras in the UK due to recent tensions related to issues such as the deaths of Khalistani terrorists Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Avtar Singh Khanda, for which they hold India responsible.
29-Sep-2023
Khalistani extremists prevented the Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), Vikram Doraiswami, from entering a gurdwara in Scotland, UK, on September 29. They demanded the release of Jagtar Singh Johal, claiming that his arrest by Indian authorities was illegal. Jagtar Singh Johal, a UK-based individual with connections to the banned terrorist organization Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), is currently held in Delhi’s Tihar jail on terrorism charges.
27-Sep-2023
A sting operation conducted by Republic TV in London, United Kingdom (UK), revealed Pakistan's involvement in fomenting the Khalistan demand. In the video, Shamsher Singh, a founding member of the National Sikh Youth Federation (NSYF), openly acknowledged Pakistan's support for Khalistan and advocated armed struggle against India, while also claiming responsibility for the killings of police officers, politicians, and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) members.
26-Sep-2023
A Sikh councillor from West Dunbartonshire in Scotland, United Kingdom (UK), Gurpreet Johal, expressed concern over the challenges faced by the Sikh community in the UK following the death of his friend, Khalistani terrorist and the chief of the banned terrorist outfit Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), Avtar Singh Khanda, in Birmingham, UK. Gurpreet Johal, whose brother, Jagtar Singh Johal, is currently detained in India due to connections to KLF, called for the UK to stand by its citizens and criticized India's alleged targeting of Sikhs.