KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
08-Feb-2020
According to reports, Pakistan’s National Assembly was informed that a proposal for allowing passport-free entry for Sikh pilgrims to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur was under consideration, in order to attract more visitors. Interior Minister Ijaz Shah said that a proposal for entry without passport, in order to attract more visitors, was under consideration, for which detailed input might be sought from the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
07-Feb-2020
The management authority of Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara has lifted ban on Muslims for partaking langar at this historic Sikh shrine in Pakistan. The Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC) president Satwant Singh informed that now all the non-Sikh pilgrims can also pay obeisance and partake langar at Gurdwara Sri Kartarpur Sahib but they would have to cover their heads while entering into the Gurdwara premises.
06-Feb-2020
Pakistan media and government have kept their silence over the killing of KLF chief Harmeet Singh alias Happy PhD. Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) president Satwant Singh denied any knowledge about Harmeet’s killing or any Sikh outside Gurudwara Bebe Nanaki. “These are canards and there is not an iota of truth in them,” he said.
02-Feb-2020
According to some sources, the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) leader, Harmeet Singh alias Happy PhD was murdered over an alleged illicit affair with a married Muslim woman from Pakistan. The sources said, Harmeet Singh was having an affair with a Pakistani woman from some time and did not pay heed to warnings from the family members of his paramour after their relation became an 'open secret'. "Earlier it was believed that Happy was killed in a gang war over drug money. He might have been killed over an illicit affair. The woman was a close relative of a Pakistani drug lord. He used to visit the family regularly and later developed intimate relations with the woman. Woman's family knew about their affair and had asked him to maintain a distance from the woman", sources added.
29-Jan-2020
According to reports, though the parents of killed Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) ‘chief’ Harmeet Singh alias Happy PhD in Amritsar want Pakistan to return his body for cremation, Pakistan won’t agree with this as the Khalistani terrorist was living under fake identity at Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. According to the documents. His parents, father Avtar Singh and mother Khushbir Kaur, live in Chheharta area in Amritsar, Punjab. However, his Pakistan documents identify him as 37-year-old Bhupinder Singh. According to his identity card, given to him according to security officials by Pakistan’s deep state, Happy was Bhupinder Singh, son of Sant Singh, Mohalla Balila Nard, Gurudwara Pati Saheb, Nankana Saheb. His religious identity card, which shows his date of birth as December 12, 1983, was valid till May 31, 2024.
29-Jan-2020
According to Pakistani private news channels, Pakistan’s intelligence agencies had countered Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)’s (India’s intelligence agency) plan to launch a terror attack along the route of the Kartarpur Corridor, through which India had wanted to incite Sikhs to carry out anti-Pakistan activities. However, India did not react to Pakistan’s claim.
29-Jan-2020
According to local sources, the slain Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) ‘chief’ Harmeet Singh alias Happy PhD was cremated at Babu Sabu Chowk cremation ground in Lahore in the presence of fellow Khalistani extremist Lakhbir Singh Rode, the ‘chief’ of International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) on January 29. A superintendent-rank police officer and the Station House Officer of the Dera Chahal station were also present at the cremation ground where Happy PhD was discreetly cremated, sources said.
28-Jan-2020
The Pakistani media did not report a word on the killing of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) ‘chief’ Harmeet Singh alias Happy PhD apparently because of the sensitivity attached to the matter, sources said. He was reportedly killed near Dera Chahal Gurudwara on the outskirts of Lahore in Pakistan on January 27. According to local sources, the body of slain militant was not shifted to any of the Lahore’s morgue for autopsy and there was no FIR registered over his murder. Sources said, "We have been asked not to pursue this case. Therefore, no FIR has been registered in the murder of Harmeet Singh."The law enforcement agencies have cordoned off the area near the Gurudwara in Burki since January 27 and no one including journalists were allowed to visit there. It was also reported that he was shot dead by a local gang over financial disputes related to drug smuggling.
27-Jan-2020
According to sources, the ‘chief’ of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), Harmeet Singh alias Happy PhD was reportedly killed by a local gang over financial disputes stemming from drug smuggling at the Dera Chahal Gurudwara near Lahore in Pakistan. Harmeet Singh was wanted in India in several cases, and involved in the smuggling of weapons and drugs from Pakistan. He was also allegedly involved in the targeted killing of Hindu leaders in Punjab in 2016-2017. The Interpol, acting on India’s request, in October 2018, issued red corner notice against Harmeet Singh along with seven other Khalistani terrorists based in different countries. He was a resident of Chheharta in Amritsar, Punjab in India and he was living in Pakistan for the last two decades.
22-Jan-2020
According to sources, prominent Sikh leader and a minority rights activist, Radesh Singh Tony, along with his family from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, left Pakistan due to threats to his life and is likely to take asylum in India. He has been targeted by Islamist extremists and has received threats several times. He has also been critical of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government and complaining about the deteriorating law and order situation in Pakistan.
21-Jan-2020
According to reports, a prominent Sikh political leader in Pakistan, Radesh Singh Tony was forced to leave the country after receiving threats to his life. Radesh Singh Tony, the president of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's Pakistan Minorities Alliance, was allegedly tortured by some unidentified people last month when he was passing through the Kacha Jail Road along with his son. He was the first minority member in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to contest the national elections, who had contested the 2018 general elections from Peshawar as an independent candidate.
11-Jan-2020
The Pakistan government denied visa to a Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) delegation to visit Nankana Sahib, after Gurudwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib was vandalised by a mob. SGPC chief Gobind Singh Longowal said that “Denial of visa is not fair. The Pakistan government should review its decision. The SGPC will again move to the Pakistan embassy to request it to grant visa to the delegation.”
09-Jan-2020
According to Pakistan Police, the murder of Sikh youth Parvinder has been solved and his 18-year-old fiancée, Prem Kumari, has been arrested for her alleged involvement in plotting the murder. A senior security official said that it was a “contract killing” paid for by Prem Kumari, who didn’t want to marry Parvinder, who lived in the remote Shangla district of the province.
08-Jan-2020
According to Indian intelligence reports, nearly a dozen pilgrims who had gone on pilgrimage to Kartarpur Sahib through the Kartarpur corridor have reported the loss of their mobile phones on their return to India. Intelligence agencies suspects that ISI spies may be trying to steal the mobile phones of Indian pilgrims to get to know their contacts, e-mail accounts and other data. “The stolen data provides them direct access to a large number of people and it has always been the endeavour of ISI to win over soft targets through various allurements,” said sources.
08-Jan-2020
A video of Harmeet Singh, brother of the Sikh youth killed in Pakistan emerged on social media. In the video Harmeet Singh said: "My name is Harmeet Singh and I am the first Sikh news anchor in Pakistan and a journalist. It has been more than three days that my brother was murdered but nobody from Pakistan government or ministry of minority affairs has issued any statement on this incident nor did anyone tried contacting me. More than three days have passed but no action has been taken by the police here and nobody has been arrested yet."
06-Jan-2020
Pakistan’s National Council of Peoples’ Commission for Minorities Rights (PCMR), in a statement said that the threat to violence in Nankana Sahib by a mob, the killing of Sikh young man Parvinder Singh in Peshawar, and a gathering eulogizing the assassin Mumtaz Qadri on the death anniversary of Governor Salman Taseer in Karachi are extremely disturbing developments which should be taken seriously, and called upon the government to take urgent action to address the underlying causes of these manifestations.
05-Jan-2020
The controversial pro-Khalistan supporter Gopal Singh Chawla was given free access to meet Indian pilgrims at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartapur Sahib complex during the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) organized celebrations to mark the birth anniversary of Sikhs’ tenth master Guru Gobind Singh. According to sources, Pakistan’s Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) allowed Chawla to lead the functions, address the gathering and meet Indian pilgrims.
05-Jan-2020
A 25-year-old Sikh man, identified as Parvendar Singh, was allegedly murdered in Peshawar in Pakistan. His body was found in the Chamkani Police Station area in Peshawar. However, the alleged killer has not been identified yet. The victim was the brother of a journalist, Harmeet Singh, Pakistan’s first Sikh journalist in electronic media.
05-Jan-2020
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan condemned the recent incident of vandalism at the Nankana Sahib, saying it goes against his “vision” and the government will show “zero tolerance” against those involved in it.
05-Jan-2020
The man, identified as Imran Ali Chishti, who issued threats to Sikhs and led a mob on January 3 that pelted stones at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, was arrested and charged with a non-bailable section of Pakistan’s anti-terrorism act.
04-Jan-2020
Pro-Khalistan leader Gopal Singh Chawla was spotted at the Nankana Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan, amid the tense situation at the site. Visuals show while a Sikh leader addressing the media declaring that there will be no unscheduled protests as it was their own land, Chawla who was seen standing behind him instructing the media to shut their cameras.
04-Jan-2020
Pakistan said that what happened at the birthplace of Guru Nanak, Nankana Sahib involved two Muslim groups and attempts to paint it as communal were “patently motivated”.
04-Jan-2020
Dal Khalsa, while condemning the ‘hooliganism’ at Nankana Sahib, urged Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to take an official stand on the unfortunate incident that has severely hurt millions of followers of Guru Nanak Dev ji. Dal Khalsa Spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh, said “I said that one insane person spewing venom against Sikh religion should not become a reason for hindrance in the cementing of Sikh-Muslim brotherhood.”
03-Jan-2020
An angry mob of Muslim residents of Nankana Sahib stormed Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, the birth place of Sikh’s first master Guru Nanak Dev in Pakistan. According to reports, local Muslim protesters were resentful of Sikhs’ opposition to the alleged ‘forced’ conversion of a Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur to Islam and her marriage to a Muslim boy.
10-Sep-2019
According to reports, Pakistan's ISI held a high-level meeting with many terror groups including Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), and Khalistani Zindabad Force (KZF) in Islamabad to plan its nefarious activities against India.The closed-door meeting in Islamabad was also attended by some other Pro-Khalistan terror groups.
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.