KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
29-Apr-2023
According to report, no one showed up for a protest called by Khalistani extremists outside the Indian High Commission office in London on April 29. The protest was against the use of the term "Sikh extremism" in a report submitted by Colin Bloom, an independent faith engagement adviser. Bloom's report emphasized the need for the United Kingdom (UK) government to define and tackle harmful extremism, highlighting the negative effect extremist groups create on Sikh communities. Despite the call for protests on social media, none turned up.
28-Apr-2023
Colin Bloom, a faith advisor in the United Kingdom (UK), expressed that the Sikh community in the UK is composed of individuals who are generally kind, hardworking, and generous, describing them as beautiful people. However, he also pointed out that there is a small but vocal minority among them who are involved in pro-Pakistan extremism, and are disproportionately aggressive and threatening. Bloom sees the rise of pro-Khalistan extremism as a significant challenge that the British government needs to address and crack down on. He believes that this small extreme minority is letting down the larger Sikh community. Earlier on April 26, the UK government released a report called "Does Government 'do God'?: An independent review into how government engages with faith", authored by Colin Bloom. The report includes a section that focuses on the concerns of some members of the British Sikh community, who have expressed their worry about a small yet highly vocal group that they feel is attempting to co-opt the Sikh faith to advance a subversive pro-Khalistan agenda.
26-Apr-2023
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson commissioned an independent report known as the Bloom Review, which has brought attention to a "small, extremely vocal, and aggressive minority of British Sikhs who can be described as pro-Khalistan extremists." The report analyzes the government's engagement with faith groups in England and calls for a more nuanced understanding of "subversive and sectarian activity" within the Sikh community. The report cautions against certain pro-Khalistan Sikh groups that seek to amplify their influence by lobbying political bodies under the guise of human rights activism, thereby presenting a false image of legitimacy. Additionally, it highlights the use of various aliases by some groups to "subvert the British political order," a tactic historically employed by white supremacist and Islamist terrorist groups. According to the report, the subversive, sectarian, and discriminatory activities of these groups are not representative of the majority of British Sikh communities. However, it recognizes that such activities have negatively impacted these communities, underscoring the need for the government to take measures to address and define such harmful extremism.
25-Apr-2023
Chris Blackburn, a British political analyst, expressed concern about Dal Khalsa, an organization that is promoting the Khalistan movement and its supporters across Europe. He tweeted, “Dal Khalsa is doing a lot of heavy lifting for the Khalistan movement in Europe. It’s a blatant lie to say they aren’t instrumental to the leadership of the movement. Their open ties to #Pakistan and their radicalism are the issues. Would you agree?” He also shared images of Dal Khalsa events featuring Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the leader of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), who has been observed campaigning with members of Dal Khalsa for the referendum on several occasions.
25-Apr-2023
In an open letter addressed to United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, 230 Sikh organizations based in the UK have voiced their concerns, as stated by a spokesperson for the Sikh Federation (UK). The organizations have expressed worry over Sunak's recent actions and described them as troubling, given what they perceive as a trend of suspicion towards the British Sikh community by the UK government, allegedly under pressure from the Indian government.
24-Apr-2023
According to sources, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) plans to travel to London to investigate the pro-Khalistani protests and acts of vandalism that occurred outside the Indian High Commission on March 19. As part of this investigation, the NIA intends to interview several individuals and review CCTV footage captured by cameras installed outside the Commission's premises.
02-Apr-2023
According to reports, Avtar Singh Khanda, who is believed to have orchestrated the violent incident at the Indian High Commission in London on March 19, leads a dual life in the United Kingdom (UK). There is evidence to suggest that Avtar Singh Khanda alias Azaad who is seeking political asylum in the UK, is actually Ranjodh Singh, the self-proclaimed leader of the designated terrorist group Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF). It is worth noting that Khanda's father, Kulwant Singh Khukrana, was also a KLF terrorist who was killed by security forces in 1991. Reports from both London and New Delhi indicate that it is likely that Khanda, using the alias Ranjodh Singh, is responsible for issuing KLF press statements that accuse the Indian government of committing acts of violence against the Sikh community worldwide. Khanda, who was at the forefront of the March 19 protests in London and is mentioned in the First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Delhi Police regarding the incident. It is also reported that the UK security establishment and police did not take any action at the time. Intelligence sources also indicate that Khanda, who uses the names "Avvtar Singh Azaad" and "Ranjodh Singh" on his Facebook profile, is planning to claim responsibility for future terrorist attacks in India, particularly targeting Punjab. His objective is to radicalize young people in Punjab, as well as in countries such as the UK, Canada, the US, Germany, and Australia, and incite support for the so-called Khalistan movement against India.
31-Mar-2023
As per reports from Pakistani media, the pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and its leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun have initiated legal proceedings at the London High Court (LHC), United Kingdom (UK) against Indian-origin Tory Party's Lord Rami Ranger for making false allegations that they are agents of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and are receiving money from the state of Pakistan for running high-profile Khalistan movement.
25-Mar-2023
A group of Khalistani supporters gathered outside the British parliament in London, United Kingdom (UK) on March 25 to protest against the police actions against fugitive Waris Punjab De (WPD) leader Amritpal Singh, as part of similar protests in Canada and the United States (US). The protesters carrying pro-Khalistan flags and banners in support of Amritpal Singh were chanting for the release of Amritpal Singh, who has yet to be arrested by the police.
25-Mar-2023
Bob Blackman, a Member of Parliament (MP) from the British Conservative party, requested a ban on the Khalistani group within the United Kingdom (UK). He expressed concern that the country is currently sheltering Khalistani terrorists and has called for a discussion in the government to determine what measures can be taken to hold these individuals accountable and prevent their presence in the country.
22-Mar-2023
In support of Waris Punjab De (WPD) leader Amritpal Singh, a fresh pro-Khalistan protest was held on March 22 at the Indian High Commission in London, United Kingdom (UK). The protest, which lasted for three hours, turned violent as some of the protesters threw water bottles and smoke flares at the main gate of the Indian High Commission. It is worth noting that the High Commission building had previously been attacked by pro-Khalistan supporters during a related demonstration. Despite this, the Metropolitan Police were able to prevent the protesters from reaching the building this time around.
22-Mar-2023
The Indian envoy to the United Kingdom, Vikram Doraiswami, addressed all Sikhs residing in the United Kingdom (UK), providing an explanation of the ongoing crackdown against Amritpal Singh in Punjab and appealing to them to refrain from believing and spreading unfounded rumors and false information on social media.
22-Mar-2023
Harman Singh Kapoor, a Sikh restaurant owner in London's Hammersmith area in the United Kingdom (UK), has stated that he was forced to shut down his establishment following an alleged attack on March 22 by pro-Khalistan supporters. According to Kapoor, a group of individuals arrived at his restaurant with "concealed weapons" and began pounding on the glass doors while shouting racial obscenities in Punjabi. The attack occurred after Kapoor, who has a significant social media following of over 30,000 on TikTok, uploaded videos that criticized the Khalistan movement and mocked Amritpal Singh.
20-Mar-2023
The British Conservative MP (Member of Parliament), Bob Blackman on March 20 expressed that the majority of Sikhs living in the United Kingdom (UK) ‘totally reject’ the Khalistani project. He further urged the police to handle separatist groups in the UK effectively. He said, “This is a very small, ultra-small section of the Sikh community. The vast majority of Sikhs in this country absolutely reject the Khalistani project... It's not going to happen as we know...My message is very simple to the police, when this happens, those people need to be arrested & dealt with properly.”
20-Mar-2023
After pro-Khalistani protestors pulled down India's national flag on March 19, the Indian High Commission in London responded by hoisting an even larger tricolour flag in the building. The officials from the Indian High Commission stated that the attack was unsuccessful, and the new tricolour flag was now flying with even greater grandeur.
19-Mar-2023
United Kingdom (UK) based pro-Khalistan activist, Avtar Singh Khanda was arrested for pulling down the Indian flag at the Embassy in London on March 19. According to sources, Avtar Singh Khanda is the son of Kulwant Singh Khukrana who was a terrorist of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF).
19-Mar-2023
Khalistani supporters pulled down the Indian national flag flying atop the Indian High Commission building in London on March 19. While chanting pro-Khalistani slogans and holding Khalistani flags, the protesting group also caused damage to the High Commission building's window. However, no injuries were reported in the incident. Following the event, a man was taken into custody on suspicion of initiating the violent act.
18-Feb-2023
Khalistani supporters on February 18 raised anti-India and pro-Khalistani slogans outside the Indian High Commission in London in United Kingdom (UK). According to reports, Khalistani supporters not just raised Pro-Khalistani slogans but also chanted anti-India slogans outside the Indian High Commission.
15-Feb-2023
During the last week, the British government highlighted that a small group of pro-Khalistan activists is spreading a false story that Britain is colluding with India to oppress Sikhs. In its counter-terrorism review, stated that though the existing threat to the United Kingdom (UK) is low from the pro-Khalistan movement, it could intensify in the future. Warning about “pro-Khalistan extremism emerging from the UK’s Sikh communities”. Sources also said that a similar story is evolving in Australia where Khalistan groups have been trying to muster support lately.
10-Feb-2023
Radicalisation of the Muslims in United Kingdom (UK) on the issue of Kashmir and “potentially toxic” pro-Khalistan extremism are major concerns for the country, said a review into the UK government's counter-terrorism early intervention Prevent strategy published recently. The review warned that rhetoric from Pakistan is impacting UK Muslim communities when it comes to "inflaming anti-India sentiment, particularly around the subject of Kashmir". It also warned against a false narrative being disseminated by a tiny number of pro-Khalistan groups operating in the UK. The review, on the issue of pro-Khalistan extremism, said, "Prevent should also be mindful of pro-Khalistan extremism emerging from the UK's Sikh communities. A false narrative is disseminated by the tiny number of pro-Khalistan groups operating in the UK that the government is colluding with its counterpart in India to persecute Sikhs." "Such groups' narratives glorify violence carried out by the pro-Khalistan movement in India. While the current threat is low, praise for violence overseas and a simultaneous belief in a state-led campaign of repression domestically is a potentially toxic combination for the future," said the report.
06-Feb-2023
The Indian High Commission in London stated that United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attended the meeting between British National Security Advisor (NSA) Tim Barrow and Indian NSA Ajit Doval in London. According to sources, Doval did some “plain speaking on Sikh radicalism, pro-Pakistan groups and BBC documentary” with UK officials. Radical Sikh actions against India and assaults on the Indian diplomatic mission have been worse recently, and the local government hasn’t responded appropriately, Doval told them. Similarly, anti-India Pakistanis are active in the UK, according to the sources, who also noted that this group frequently influences British MPs’ views on India.
26-Jan-2023
According to reports, anti-India demonstrations were held outside Indian High Commission in London and the Indian Consulate in Birmingham. The protesters termed India’s Republic Day as Black Day and asked the British government to intervene and halt the ongoing genocide in “Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir”.
03-Nov-2022
According to reports, Khalistani supporters of Jaggi Johal (34) who is lodged in Delhi’s Tihar jail, have launched a fresh worldwide campaign to get him freed from India. Johal is a citizen of the United Kingdom (UK). Jaggi Johal alias Jagtar Singh Johal was arrested by Punjab police on November 4, 2017, in Jalandhar under the arms Act. Under the campaign christened “Free Jaggi Now” the Khalistani activists have announced holding protests on November 4, in 5 cities of the United States (US) including New York and California. The Canadian radicals will gather in two cities, Toronto and Vancouver while In the UK protests will be held in four main cities including London and Manchester. The free Jaggi protests are now directed toward the British – earlier they were targeting India – as a recent BBC report revealed that Jaggi was arrested in India on the basis of information provided by the intelligence agencies of the UK. According to the BBC Johal’s activities in the UK as a fundraiser for Sikh separatists active in Punjab were in the knowledge of the British intelligence agencies. He was also involved in translating pro-Khalistan Punjabi literature into English for publication in newspapers and on websites. This information was passed over to the Indian intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) following which Johal was arrested by the Punjab police. Jaggi has been named as an accused in seven cases, five of those being murder charges (targeted killings) and two being attempt to murder charges (attempted targeted killings). Activists and members of right-wing Hindu outfits, the Dera Sirsa followers, and even a Christian activist (a pastor) were targeted in these killings.
01-Aug-2022
According to reports, a section of British Sikhs has written to the United Kingdom (UK')s Prime Minister (PM) contenders Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, asking them to clarify their views on issues faced by the community. The national press secretary of Sikh Federation (UK), Jaspal Singh on August 1 said that the community's main issues were the release and return of Scottish national Jagtar Singh Johal who has been jailed in India for five years, UK home secretary Priti Patel's alleged comments labelling British Sikhs as extremists, and addressing anti-Sikh hate in the same way as antisemitism and Islamophobia.
31-Mar-2022
United Kingdom (UK) regulator Ofcom suspended the license of Khalsa Television Limited which broadcasts to the Sikh diaspora on its pro-Khalistan Punjabi TV channel KTV after one of its programmes called on UK-based Sikhs to travel to Punjab to engage in violent crime and disorder to achieve a separate Khalistan state. The license was suspended with immediate effect on March 31 when UK foreign secretary Liz Truss landed in Delhi. “The presenter of the programme made a number of statements throughout the programme which, taken together, promoted violent action, including murder, as an acceptable and necessary form of action to further the Khalistani cause. This was a serious breach of our rules on incitement of crime and disorder,” Ofcom said in its written decision.