Extremism Updates

06-Jun-2020

The pro-Khalistani Sikhs in Pakistan converged at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, the birth place of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev,. They extended support to the separatist movement for a Sikh state -Khalistan in India and protested to mark the 36th anniversary of Operation Bluestar. According to sources, prominently among those who were present on the occasion were Pakistan's main Sikh face for such occasions Gopal Singh Chawla, former Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) president Bishan Singh and PSGPC general secretary Amir Singh. Sources said that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) had organised the function and ensured its media coverage, besides it had also assigned duties to the officials of Evacuee Trust Property Board (EPTB) to facilitate the anti-India demonstration. In a video uploaded on social media, Chawla and Bishan were seen raising slogans against India and in praise of Khalistan. However, PSGPC president Satwant Singh was not seen during anti-India protests at Nankana Sahib. In an attempt to foment the anti-India sentiments, Chawla and Bishan spewed venom against India, and to win over the sympathy of Islamist militant organisations, they raised the issue of Kashmir too.


06-Jun-2020

According to reports, no Sikhs converged at Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib on the call given by US-based pro-Khalistani group, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). Sources said that "We have information that attempts are being made to allure poor Paksitani Sikhs with cash rewards for protesting against India. However, none reached Kartarpur Sahib on Saturday morning". The presence of several Sikh youth and some unknown faces during Saturday's protest only confirmed their belief that these were being paid to stage demonstration and raise slogans against India, they claimed.


05-Jun-2020

The US-based Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) leader, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in a message to Sikhs of Pakistan appealed to them to converge at Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib on June 6 to perform ardas and also raise slogans for Khalistan. He said that Sikh for Justice (SFJ) would be holding a conference on June 6 to update Sikh community regarding their divisive ‘Referendum 2020’. However, the president of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), Satwant Singh didn’t comment on Pannun’s call to Sikhs of Pakistan. However, sources didn’t rule out the possibility of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) facilitating a video conference between Sikh militants of Pakistan and those abroad. “There is likelihood of forging of new ties especially SFJ exhorting Pakistani Sikhs to hold anti-India protest at Kartarpur and we are of view that Pakistan’s Khalistani leader Gopal Singh Chawla will be playing a key role,” said sources.


04-Jun-2020

The Jammu and Kashmir Youth Social Forum (JKYSF) leader, Angad Singh paid tributes to all Sikh leaders and Sikh Sangat pilgrims who were killed in Indian Army’s Operation Blue Star in Golden temple in June 1984, in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). He said that “We in Kashmir remember this day as black day. Also, this day is a proof of Sikh and Muslim brotherhood right from Kashmir to Punjab and all over the world.”


06-May-2020

The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) in Pakistan is now in action to expel the pro-Khalistan leader Gopal Singh Chawla from the ‘Punjabi Sikh Sangat’. Earlier, he was also expelled from the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC). Notably, the ETPB had constituted ‘Punjabi Sikh Sangat’ to look after the religious activities in the Sikh shrines of Pakistan and Gopal Singh Chawla was appointed as a chairman of this body. According to report, the ETPB has started cornering Gopal Singh Chawla after he illegally occupied a piece of land managed by ETPB. An FIR was registered against Gopal Singh Chawla under sections 447/511 in Nankana Sahib police station on the complaint of revenue officer Asif Chadar. Sources also revealed that Gopal Singh Chawla might resign from the chairmanship of ‘Punjabi Sikh Sangat’ on May 7. It has also come to fore that the ETPB has not even credited Gopal Singh Chawla’s monthly salary worth Rupees 30,000.


06-May-2020

The Pak-based pro-Khalistan leader Gopal Singh Chawla accused that the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) officials are going to remove him from the chairmanship of “Punjabi Sikh Sangat” under a conspiracy.


18-Apr-2020

Domes of the newly renovated Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara was collapsed due to a thunderstorm and high-speed winds in the area of the holy site's location in Punjab in Pakistan. According to reports, the domes were allegedly not even constructed with cement and iron but with plaster-of-paris material. After the embarrassing incident, the Sikh community has expressed disappointment with the way construction was done in Pakistan


13-Apr-2020

Pakistan extended the duration of the closure of the Wagah border and the Kartarpur Corridor along the International Border with India for two weeks amid the Coronavirus pandemic. The Kartarpur Corridor will be sealed till April 24 while the Wagah crossing will be closed from April 16 to April 29.


09-Apr-2020

The Pakistan government asked Afghanistan to hand over the recently arrested Islamic State terrorist, responsible for the deadly terror attack on Sikh Gurudwara in Kabul to Pakistan. According to the sources, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the ambassador of Afghanistan to Pakistan, asking for Aslam Farooqi's custody. Afghan security forces on April 5 had arrested Farooqi involved in the massacre of around 27 Sikhs in a terror attack on a Gurudwara in Kabul on March 25. As per an official statement, Islamabad sought Farooqi's custody for investigation because he is allegedly involved in anti-Pakistan activities in Afghanistan.


07-Apr-2020

Sikh community in Pakistan has shut down Gurdwaras in Swat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province after the provincial government banned gathering of more than five people for worship in religious places to stop the spread of the coronavirus which has infected nearly 4,000 people and killed 55 in the country.


07-Apr-2020

Pakistan’s Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) deputy secretary shrines, Imran Gondal said that a meeting of the ETPB and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbadhank Committee (PSGPC) unanimously decided that there would be no Baisakhi celebrations at the shrine in Hassanabdal city this year and the scheduled visits of Sikh pilgrims has been cancelled. The Baisakhi celebrations scheduled to begin on April 14 at Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Punjab province, in which 3,000 Sikhs from India and 2,000 from elsewhere were to participate.


06-Apr-2020

Pakistani authorities cancelled the Baisakhi celebrations at Gurudwara Panja Sahib in Punjab province from April 14, in which around 3,000 Sikhs from India were to participate, due to the coronavirus pandemic in the country.


31-Mar-2020

A mob of Islamist radicals attacked the Sikh Gurudwara in Nankana Sahib (in Punjab, Pakistan) to avenge the arrest of a Muslim man who had kidnapped and converted a Sikh girl to Islam. The crowd gathered in front of the main entrance of the Nankana Sahib Gurudwara and pelted stones at the Gurudwara in the evening. The extremists also threatened to eliminate every single Sikh faithful from the city and announced that they have renamed the location with an Islamic name.


30-Mar-2020

Pakistani pro-Khalistan leader Gopal Singh Chawla said that land in Nankana Sahib belonging to Guru Nanak Dev was being grabbed by the rich by paying money and there was collusion by Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) of Pakistan. Chawla in a video said that atrocities were being committed and complaints about the misuse of land, registered in the name Guru Nanak Dev in Pakistan's Punjab province, have fallen on deaf ears of authorities. He said that ETPB of Pakistan has been aiding and shielding rich people who have encroached the land of Gurudwara Nankana Sahib. Chawla alleged that ETPB chairman Aamer Ahmed has been colluding with the land grabbers. "I had made a humble request that in Nankana Sahib there is full loot (of land) and I had given proof to Aamer sahib that a lot of atrocities are taking place. Rich people who can give Rs 2 lakh, Rs 3 lakh, Rs 4 lakh, Rs 5 lakh, they are getting their houses made and the poor who have to build on two marla, three marla, there is no law for them," he said.


23-Mar-2020

The Border Security Force (BSF) recovered 4.27 kg of heroin from an area close to the border outpost Bareke along the India-Pakistan border in Ferozepur district. According to officials, the consignment was stored in four plastic bottles and a China-made pistol was also seized along with the contraband.


14-Mar-2020

The Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC) released its “original version” of Nanakshahi calendar, which was introduced in 2003, at Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. The PSGPC president Satwant Singh said that, “The original version of the calendar symbolises distinct identity of the Sikhs. We request Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh to ensure unity in the Panth, which is divided over the calendar issue. The calendar implemented in 2003 by the then Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti should be followed for this purpose.”


13-Mar-2020

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan held a high-level meeting of the National Security Committee and announced series of measures to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, including a ban on Pakistani nationals from travelling via the Kartarpur Corridor. Indian pilgrims will, however, be allowed to use the corridor.


08-Mar-2020

Parliamentarian Preneet Kaur paid obeisance at Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan along with more than hundred women on the occasion of International Women’s Day. Preneet Kaur said that Guru Nanak Sahib gave a great status to women in the society which resulted in their empowerment and high respect.


02-Mar-2020

Pakistan’s Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Sahibzada Noor-ul-Haq Qadri stated that the work on Kartarpur corridor project phase II would be started soon. The minister, while chairing a ministerial meeting to contemplate the approval of PC1 of Kartarpur project, said that in the second phase hotel and market would be constructed to meet the requirements of international tourism.


01-Mar-2020

According to Indian intelligence sources, the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) and its parent body Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) recently honoured pro-Khalistan Sikh leader Gopal Singh Chawla in Pakistan. The sources said that the move showed that Chawla was still an integral part of PSGPC and ETPB, as he was still being honoured by the two bodies. Earlier, Chawla, who is the chairman of Punjabi Sikh Sangat in Pakistan, was removed from PSGPC in 2019, after India had exerted pressure on Pakistan over his links with 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed. The move had come as India had refused to sign the agreement on Kartarpur corridor if Chawla continued to be a member of the committee. However, the intelligence source informed that since ISI-controlled ETPB used Chawla for instigating Sikhs and holding anti-India demonstrations in Pakistan, his removal from the two bodies was just a cosmetic change. “But he has always been present during important events at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib. He has also been allotted a room at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib complex, Kartapur Sahib,” said the source.


24-Feb-2020

The Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh said that Pakistan is a safe country and maximum Sikhs from India should visit all historic Gurudwaras there. The Jathedar, in a video shared by Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) president Satwant Singh, said “Historic gurudwaras hold big importance for Sikhs. ‘Darshan-didar’ of these gurudwaras has given me immense pleasure and peace of mind. I have no word to recognize the love shown by Pakistan’s sangat and common people towards me. Not only me, locals also share warm vibes with every person coming from India here.”“People of both India and Pakistan don’t need to fear visiting each other’s country. Pakistanis are loved by people in India,” he said.


21-Feb-2020

Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, during a religious function (Saka Nankana Sahib) at Nankana Sahib in Pakistan, demanded that the governments of India and Pakistan waive the condition of passport for Indian pilgrims visiting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan through the Kartarpur Corridor. He said the condition of carrying passport as identity proof is the main reason behind the low turnout of Indian pilgrims at the Kartarpur shrine, the last resting place of Guru Nanak. He also met family members of Jagjit Kaur, who was allegedly converted to Islam forcibly and married to a Muslim man in Nankana Sahib.


19-Feb-2020

Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh left for Pakistan to take part in a religious function - Saka Nankana (Nankana massacre) - at the Nankana Sahib on February 21. He crossed over to Pakistan from Attari-Wagah border. He said that “I am going to Pakistan to observe anniversary function of 100 years old event to liberate Nankana Sahib. There are total 13 members in delegation. Martyrdom anniversary is being commemorated by the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC).”


18-Feb-2020

United Nations (UN) chief Antonio Guterres, during his visit to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, said that the opening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor is a practical example of Pakistan's desire for peace and inter-faith harmony. He said the opening of the corridor is a good step and it will promote tolerance and interfaith harmony. The UN chief appreciated the facilities being provided to Sikh pilgrims at the complex.


10-Feb-2020

The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will visit Gurudwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur next week during a trip to Pakistan, his Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said. Kartarpur will be on the itinerary of Guterres''s visit to Pakistan to participate in an international conference on that country hosting Afghan refugees for 40 years, Haq said. Meanwhile, Rajwant Singh, the co-founder of the National Sikh Campaign, said that "The Secretary-General''s visit to the shrine will amplify Guru Nanak Dev''s message for peaceful coexistence of all religions and signal to the entire world that Kartarpur is internationally a very sacred place."


Showing 1 to 25 of 621 records

23-Jul-2024

According to sources, the family of Khalistani terrorist Jagtar Singh Johal, who is accused of multiple crimes including targeted killings and funding the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), has urged United Kingdom (UK) Foreign Secretary David Lammy to address Johal's case during trade talks with India.


11-Jul-2024

The police on July 11 arrested a 17-year-old boy for stabbing two worshippers at the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Gravesend, United Kingdom (UK). The attack has sparked comments from various leaders, including Labour Members of Parliament (MPs) Dr. Lauren Sullivan and Tan Dhesi, who expressed distress over the violence and called for increased efforts to tackle anti-Sikh hate crimes.


05-Jul-2024

Following the landslide victory of the United Kingdom (UK) Labour Party under Keir Starmer, concerns about its historical pro-separatist stance, particularly towards Khalistan and Kashmir, persist within the Indian diaspora. The party has attempted to rectify its image under Starmer, shifting away from its earlier perceived anti-India rhetoric by distancing itself from pro-Khalistani elements within its ranks and emphasizing a new strategic partnership with India. This includes potential areas of cooperation such as security, education, and trade. However, the presence of party members with pro-Khalistani sympathies continues to pose challenges to this rebranding effort.


05-Jul-2024

A record 28 persons of Indian origin were elected to the United Kingdom (UK) Parliament on July 5, with notable victories including Preet Kaur Gill and Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi securing their seats for Labour in Birmingham Edgbaston and Slough, respectively, for the third time. Nadia Whittome won in Nottingham East, while new entrants such as Kirith Entwistle and Sonia Kumar marked their first wins in Bolton North East and Dudley. Additionally, Rishi Sunak, Suella Braverman, Priti Patel, and Claire Coutinho were among the prominent Tories who retained their seats, reflecting a significant representation of the Indian diaspora across major UK parties.


03-Jul-2024

General Election candidates in the United Kingdom (UK) have faced criticism for endorsing a “Sikh Manifesto” which calls for the self-determination of Sikhs, or Khalistan. The manifesto also criticizes the UK Government's stance on hate crimes against Sikhs. It has received support from senior Conservative and Labour representatives, including Angela Rayner and Theresa May. The Sikh Federation UK and The Sikh Network back the manifesto, while other Sikh groups and experts warn it could exacerbate geopolitical tensions. Critics argue it reflects problematic sectarian campaigning in UK politics.


28-Jun-2024

Labour Party chair Anneliese Dodds, speaking at an event in London, United Kingdom (UK) on June 28, expressed confidence that the party, under Keir Starmer, has eliminated anti-India sentiments within its ranks. Dodds emphasized Labour’s commitment to building a robust strategic partnership with India, encompassing areas such as trade, new technologies, the environment, and security.


17-Jun-2024

Thousands gathered in London, United Kingdom (UK), recently to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1984 Sikh riots, with some participants displaying Khalistani flags. The event remembered the Indian Army's storming of the Golden Temple in 1984 during Operation Blue Star, which targeted militants but resulted in significant Sikh casualties. The Labour Party in the UK pledged to investigate Britain's role in the operation, with Deputy Leader Angela Rayner emphasizing support for the Sikh community and the need for an inquiry.


09-May-2024

India’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval expressed concern over the increasing Sikh radicalization in the United Kingdom (UK) on May 9 and urged the UK to address this issue during the India-UK Strategic Dialogue, which he co-chaired with his UK counterpart Tim Barrow in London. This concern builds on previous discussions between Doval and Barrow, particularly highlighting Sikh radicalization during their strategic dialogue in July 2023.


02-May-2024

Sikh Labour councillor Parbinder Kaur is under investigation for allegedly supporting Khalistani terrorist groups, including praising Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and its founders involved in violent acts, in Sandwell, United Kingdom (UK). The Daily Mail reported her sharing posts on WhatsApp and Facebook glorifying militants who assassinated public figures. Sandwell council is aware of the situation but has directed inquiries to the Labour party, which, along with Kaur, has yet to respond. Rami Ranger of the British Sikh Association criticized such actions for damaging social cohesion and the interests of the wider Sikh community in the UK.


25-Apr-2024

According to a media report, British Sikh lawyers have established a new court as a dispute resolution forum for the Sikh community in the United Kingdom (UK), aimed at aiding families in resolving conflicts in line with Sikh principles. The court is not a religious tribunal but comprises around 30 magistrates and 15 judges, primarily women. They offer mediation services and direct parties to courses covering various issues such as domestic violence and substance misuse. These courses are available in Punjabi and English. In case mediation fails, cases can be brought before a Sikh court judge for legally binding judgments under the Arbitration Act. Participation in the court requires consent from both parties, and there is a focus on safeguarding and cooperation with English courts.


11-Apr-2024

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.


06-Apr-2024

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).


03-Apr-2024

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.


28-Mar-2024

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.


27-Mar-2024

Satyam Surana, an Indian student at the London School of Economics (LSE), in an interview with ANI, alleged that he was called a 'fascist' and faced a campaign against him during student union elections, linking him to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) due to his support for the Indian government and due to his stance against Khalistan extremists. He stated that he was accused of being Islamophobic and transphobic, with his posters defaced and false allegations spread across campus groups. He states that despite advocating for campus issues in his manifesto, his stance on Khalistan led to him being targeted, impacting his campus life and highlighting the lasting impact of false propaganda surrounding Khalistan-related issues.


21-Mar-2024

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament) Member of Parliament (MP) Raghav Chadha on March 21 met with British Sikh MP and known Khalistani sympathizer Preet Kaur Gill in London, United Kingdom (UK). Gill, a Labour MP, has a history of advocating for Khalistani groups and mobilizing support for Khalistani terrorist Jagtar Singh Johal, accused of multiple crimes, including targeted killings and funding the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF). Chadha's meeting with Gill, without political clearance from the Indian government, is viewed as concerning by intelligence sources.


20-Mar-2024

A Khalistan supporter identified as Gurpreet Singh was sentenced to 28 months in jail on March 20 for stabbing two Indian-origin men and a female police officer with his kirpan during Indian Independence Day celebrations last year (2023) in Southall, United Kingdom (UK). The 26-year-old Indian citizen was ordered to forfeit all three kirpans. Judge Kwame Inyundo stated that while carrying a kirpan is lawful, using it as a weapon is not. Gurpreet, who arrived in the UK in 2020 as a student and applied for asylum in 2021, may face deportation to India after serving his sentence.


13-Mar-2024

According to sources, the United Kingdom (UK) government, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, has executed a significant crackdown on Khalistan groups in the UK, seizing over 300 bank accounts linked to supporters. Valued at INR 100 crores, this operation has placed an additional 5,000 accounts under scrutiny, showcasing the UK's firm stance against Khalistan extremism and cooperation with India. Intelligence sharing between the UK and India has intensified, with efforts to extradite accused individuals for trial in India underway.


11-Mar-2024

According to sources, the United Kingdom (UK) government, led by Prime Minister (PM) Rishi Sunak, has established a special task force to dismantle the funding network of Khalistan supporters. The government has frozen over 300 bank accounts and seized approximately INR 100 crore linked to these supporters. Notable seizures include INR 20 crore from the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). The task force targeting pro-Khalistan extremism was announced in 2023, following a meeting between External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar and UK Security Minister Tom Tugendhat in New Delhi. This announcement highlights joint efforts to combat anti-India extremism. The task force, with over 5000 accounts on its watchlist, has reached out to United States (US) counterparts such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for international cooperation in cracking down on Khalistan support groups in the US.


09-Mar-2024

Jaspreet Kaur, a Sikh anchor in the United Kingdom (UK), has recently come under criticism from the Indian diaspora in the UK due to alleged pro-Khalistan separatist views after joining BBC's 'Asian Network Chill' show. Complaints have been filed against her with the BBC, citing concerns over her past social media posts and her supposed alignment with Khalistani ideology.


01-Mar-2024

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on March 1 faced protests by Khalistani supporters during his visit to the United Kingdom (UK) to deliver lectures at the Judge Business School, University of Cambridge, in Cambridge, UK. Protesters, led by Paramjit Singh Pamma, coordinator of the Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) in Europe, blamed Gandhi for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and Amritsar killings. Despite Cambridge University Police preventing entry to the protestors, Gandhi required a security escort by UK Police to leave safely.


26-Feb-2024

Member of Parliament (MP) Preet Gill accused 'agents with links to India' of engaging in transnational repression of British Sikhs while speaking at the House of Commons in London, United Kingdom (UK) on February 26. She cited concerns raised by Five Eyes nations about targeting Sikh activists. In response, Security Minister Tom Tugendhat stated that the government is continually assessing threats and using intelligence services to mitigate them. Measures are in place to tackle foreign interference.


23-Feb-2024

United Kingdom (UK) Member of Parliament (MP), Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, raised concerns about the safety of protesting farmers in Punjab and freedom of expression in the UK Parliament on February 23. Dhesi, known for advocating on Sikh and Indian issues, questioned the UK government's stance on protecting human rights. He had previously criticized India's actions in Kashmir and voiced opposition to police force against farmers during the 2020-21 protests. Additionally, in August 2023, Dhesi faced immigration issues in India.


14-Feb-2024

According to reports, in the United Kingdom (UK), several Sikh activists, including Kulwant Singh Mothada, fear for their lives after being named on a "hit list" by the Indian National Investigation Agency (NIA). While no concrete evidence links the list to actual assassinations, there have been deaths among those associated with the movement, such as Paramjit Singh Panjwar and Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Despite lacking definitive proof, the existence of the list exacerbates fears within the Sikh community regarding potential threats from Indian authorities. Mothada and others remain cautious, believing that the UK government is overlooking the threat from India.


07-Feb-2024

According to sources, United Kingdom (UK) Foreign Secretary David Cameron has intervened in the case of Scottish Sikh Jagtar Singh Johal, who has been imprisoned in India for six years. Cameron is calling for an investigation into the claims of torture by Punjab police. However, he stopped short of demanding Johal's release, citing potential interference in the ongoing judicial process. Johal is accused of involvement in targeted killings, a charge he denies. His brother is demanding his immediate return. Jagtar Singh Johal has connections to the banned terrorist organization Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and is currently held in Delhi’s Tihar jail on terrorism charges.


Showing 26 to 35 of 232 records