KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
India 15-Jul-2020
The newly elected acting president of Haryana Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (HSGPC), Sant Baba Baljit Singh Daduwal lambasted Pakistan for carrying out genocide of Sikh youth in Punjab and Haryana by smuggling drugs and narcotics into India through the international border. Daduwal said that his priority will now be to protect the precious lives of the Sikh and other youth in the states bordering Pakistan by spreading awareness about drug abuse.
India 16-Jul-2020
Members of the Sikh community held a protest near the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi against Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) for backing pro-Khalistan activities and the ‘Khalistan Referendum 2020’. Sikh activists from the Jag Assara Guru Ott, led by Sardar Manjit Singh GK and various Sikh welfare organisations stage a demonstration near the Pakistan High Commission. There were around 50 to 60 Sikh protestors who tried to march towards the Pakistan High Commission from Teen Murti. However, they were stopped near Chanakyapuri police station, police said.
India 16-Jul-2020
The banned pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) asked Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) to facilitate the registration of Sikh voters at two city-based Gurudwaras for a referendum in November on the secession of Punjab from India. A large number of Sikhs in Delhi and many journalists have been receiving calls from US-based numbers playing a prerecorded message of SFJ’s legal adviser Gurpatwant Singh Pannun giving the details of the voter registration process and urging them to make “Referendum 2020” successful.
India 16-Jul-2020
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) passed a resolution saying it had nothing to do with “Referendum 2020” and it “opposed” the propaganda. The resolution read, “SFJ on social media has given the impression that DSGMC is supporting Referendum 2020, which is objectionable. We are a religious body and have nothing to do with it.”
Pakistan 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.
India 16-Jul-2020
Indian World Forum (IWF), an organisation working to promote art, culture and commerce among the country’s diaspora, sent a complaint to Delhi Police commissioner SN Shrivastava against a 44-second video appeal by Pannun to hold a voter registration camp at the two Gurudwaras on July 19. IWF secretary general Puneet Singh Chandhok said, “Pannun has appealed to all Indians, in particular the Sikhs, to overthrow the Indian administration in Delhi and liberate the state of Punjab from Indian occupation by virtue of promoting Khalistan and Referendum 2020 and holding voter registration camps on July 19 at Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib and Gurdwara Bangla Sahib.”
India 17-Jul-2020
The Bombay high court issued a legal notice to Twitter India, as it failed to submit its reply to a petition which had alleged that the social networking platform was deliberately promoting tweets from pro-Khalistani and secessionist groups. The notice is in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), filed two weeks back. The Chief Justice of the Bombay high court, in a previous order on June 5, directed Twitter India to file its response within three weeks. The response is still pending.
India 17-Jul-2020
According to reports, Belgium-based Ranjit Singh Nita of the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) is recording audio to seek support for “registration” for secessionist “Referendum 2020” from July 19 and these audio records are sent to various people, including journalists in India. In a 1.2-minute audio call having the country code 0032 (Belgium’s ISD code), the caller introduces himself as Nita, resident of Jammu and Kashmir and “mukh sewadar” of KZF, instigating people to register themselves to participate in the campaign.
Belgium 17-Jul-2020
According to reports, Belgium-based Ranjit Singh Nita of the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) is recording audio to seek support for “registration” for secessionist “Referendum 2020” from July 19 and these audio records are sent to various people, including journalists in India. In a 1.2-minute audio call having the country code 0032 (Belgium’s ISD code), the caller introduces himself as Nita, resident of Jammu and Kashmir and “mukh sewadar” of KZF, instigating people to register themselves to participate in the campaign.
India 18-Jul-2020
A recent video of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun reveals that on the behest of Pakistani intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), planning is being done on a war footing to spread panic in Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana. The video has been caught by the investigating agencies, in which Delhi has been threatened to make another Khalistan. It is being told that at the behest of Pakistan, the work of spreading the wrong message is being done in India. After this video of terrorist Gurpatwant Singh surfaced, the Delhi Police has also been alerted along with Indian intelligence and investigation agencies.
India 18-Jul-2020
The family members of the Kashmiri Sikh youth, Mohinder Pal Singh, who was recently arrested by Delhi police in connection with Khalistani terrorism, refuted the claim of Delhi police and alleged he is being “framed” in a “fabricated case”. The family is claiming that he was targeted solely for serving langar to the anti-CAA protesters at Shaheen Bagh in Delhi. He was arrested by the Delhi police for alleged links with militant outfit Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) on June 15.
India 18-Jul-2020
India thanked the Afghanistan Government for the safe return of kidnapped Sikh Nidan Singh Sachdeva and decided to facilitate the return of Afghan Hindu and Sikh community members facing security threats in Afghanistan to India, said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a statement. There are about 1,000 Sikh and Hindus left in Afghanistan and the sense of insecurity was heightened after their massacre at Gurudwara Guru Har Rai in Kabul in May this year.
India 19-Jul-2020
The Border Security Force (BSF) recovered 64.33 kg of heroin from the Ravi river that flows along the India-Pakistan international border in Gurdaspur district. According to BSF, the contraband was found in 60 packets concealed in long fabric cloth tubes and tied to a bunch of water hyacinth floating in the river. The consignment was "pushed" into the river from Pakistan to the Indian side and BSF troops deployed at the border outpost in Nangli, near Dera Baba Nanak, spotted it in the wee hours. Though, the troops noticed some suspicious movement in the river, the smugglers managed to flee taking advantage of the darkness.
India 19-Jul-2020
After Indian authorities blocked a Russian portal used by pro-Khalistan group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) to propagate its anti-India agenda, the banned group launched a Canadian portal to register ‘Referendum 2020’ votes to demand Khalistan. A major security alert was sounded in New Delhi by agencies as the group this time targeted the national capital for voter registration regarding ‘Referendum 2020’ unlike its previous attempt to pick Punjab for its illegal agenda. The group took the step after India on July 4 blocked the Russian website www.punjabfree.ru, which was used by SFJ for online voter registration for ‘Referendum 2020’ in Punjab. Sources said that the SFJ launched Canadian portal ‘DelhiBanayGaKhalistan.ca’ from Canada to register ‘Referendum 2020’ votes in Delhi.
India 20-Jul-2020
Police arrested two drug peddlers, identified as Rajesh Kumar and Rijwan and recovered 3 kg of opium from their possession in Khanna in Ludhiana district.
India 20-Jul-2020
The Border Security Force (BSF) seized three packets of contraband, weighing over 3 kg heroin, in Abohar sector near the Indo-Pak border in Fazilka district.
India 20-Jul-2020
Punjab Police arrested an Army soldier and three others for their involvement in illegal arms and drug smuggling. Earlier a racket was busted last week in which a Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers and three others were nabbed by the Jalandhar (Rural) police. Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta said Ramandeep Singh, who is a soldier, was apprehended from Bareilly in UP, on the basis of disclosures made by BSF Constable Sumit Kumar. He said three aides of Ramandeep, including Taranjot Singh alias Tanna, Jagjit Singh alias Laddi and Satinder Singh alias Kala would be brought on production warrants. Around Rs 10 lakh has been recovered from Kala thus taking the total amount seized to Rs 42.30 lakh.
India 20-Jul-2020
The Sikh community across India have rejected the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) sponsored propaganda of Referendum 2020. On the first day of the registration for Referendum 2020 projected by a US-based Khalistani radical outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) not a single member of the Sikh community turned out to register for the same. Earlier, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the head of SFJ had claimed that it would start the registration process in New Delhi on July 19, 2020, after holding an Ardaas at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib but the Sikhs in New Delhi outrightly rejected it and no such Ardaas happened. However, a frustrated SFJ issued fake and morphed pictures of Gurdwara Bangla Sahib showing the images of Khalistani radicals.
India 20-Jul-2020
According to the latest Border Security Force (BSF)’s statistics, there has been a three-fold increase in the recovery of heroin by the BSF along the Punjab border this year (2020) as compared to the corresponding period last year. It also shows that around 328 kg of heroin, apparently smuggled from Pakistan, has been seized till July 19 this year. Last year, the figure was around 100kg for the same period.
United States 21-Jul-2020
The American Sikh Council (ASC) expressed extreme concerns about the illegal detention of innocent Sikh youth across the state of Punjab in the past two weeks. ASC mentioned that since late June 2020, over dozen Sikhs have been randomly and illegally arrested around Punjab including Lovepreet Singh of village Kaithal and Iqbalpreet Singh of Fatehgarh Sahib who are from poor working-class families who are not only trying to live honestly but volunteering for the welfare of others.
India 22-Jul-2020
According to sources, due to increase in attacks on minorities in Afghanistan by Pakistan-based terror organisations, India has decided to issue long term visa to 700 people from such minority communities who are stuck in the war-torn country. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) has cleared issuance of 'long term India visa and facilitate their travel to New Delhi'. "India will facilitate the return of over 700 Afghan Hindus & Sikhs after the minorities faced several terror attacks and persecution by Pakistan-backed terror groups," said the source.
India 22-Jul-2020
Special Task Force (STF) arrested a policeman, Rajwinder Singh along with his wife Kuldeep Kaur and son Harpreet Singh along with 121-gram heroin during a special checking at Bathinda-Goniana national highway in Bhokhra village in Bathinda district.
India 22-Jul-2020
Police arrested a narcotic smuggler, identified as Jugraj Singh resident and recovered 1.10 Kg of heroin from his possession near Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district. Police also recovered one 32 Bore Pistol, one magazine and seven live cartridges from the possession of the arrested narcotic smuggler.
India 22-Jul-2020
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has written to Border Security Force (BSF) Director General Surjeet Singh Deswal, expressing his appreciation for the seizure of a huge cache of drugs by the personnel of BSF’s 10th Battalion in Gurdaspur sector. The CM also recommended that all members of the BSF team involved in the recent seizure of 60 kg of heroin should be rewarded for their success. The BSF on July 19 had seized 60 kg of heroin from the Ravi river that flows along the India-Pakistan international border in Gurdaspur.
India 22-Jul-2020
The US-based banned pro-Khalistan group, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) started to mobilise the people from the Sikh community to register for the referendum scheduled for July 26 in Jammu and Kashmir. In a video message, the SFJ co-founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun asked members of the Sikh community and the sympathisers of another terrorist organisation Indian Mujahedeen to register for a vote on the referendum on July 26.
India 22-Jul-2020
The Dal Khalsa demanded judicial inquiry into the suicide of Sangrur boy Lovepreet Singh under mysterious circumstances at Gurdwara Amb Sahib after he was questioned by National Investigation Agency (NIA) in a case under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Pakistan 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.
India 23-Jul-2020
According to Intelligence inputs, the banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) group have been trying to establish a base in Jammu and Kashmir. It said that the outfit recently gave a call for Sikhs residing in the valley to support its online 'Referendum 2020' campaign, which seeks secession of Punjab from India. After it's failed attempts at getting support for 'Referendum 2020' voter registration in Punjab and Delhi, the SFJ's next target is Jammu and Kashmir, where it plans to launch voter registration for the illegal campaign on July 26.
India 23-Jul-2020
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that there has been a recent spurt of attacks on Hindus and Sikhs in Afghanistan by terrorists at the behest of their “external supporters” and India has been providing necessary visas to members of these communities who want to come. The MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said once those who want to come and settle in India arrive in the country, their requests will be examined and acted upon based on existing rules and policies.
India 24-Jul-2020
The Tarn Taran police have frozen assets worth around Rs 81 crores of as many as 75 narcotics smugglers including cross border smugglers within a year’s period. The senior superintendent of police (SSP), Dhruv Dahiya informed that following clearance from the center’s revenue department, district police had frozen assets of 75 smugglers worth around Rs 81.21 lakhs. He informed that police froze property of notorious smugglers Jagjit Singh, residents of Sheron village and Balwinder Singh, resident of Havelian village worth around Rs 11 crore and Rs 10 crore respectively.
India 24-Jul-2020
The state government stated that Punjab Police has busted an inter-state drug cartel operating in more than 50 districts spread across 11 states of the country, using the hawala channel route. As many as 20 persons have already been arrested with a huge cache of drugs, drug proceeds-money and five vehicles, in an operation that spanned over eight weeks. Of the 20 people arrested so far, 16 are from Punjab, two from UP and one each from Haryana and Delhi.
India 24-Jul-2020
The Organised Crime Control Unit (OCCU) along with the Mohali police arrested five hardcore gangsters, including Navdeep Singh, alias Johan Buttar, after a brief encounter at Aman Homes, Kharar in SAS Nagar district. The police also recovered six weapons, including two 9-mm pistols, a .30 bore pistol, a .32 bore pistol, two .315 bore pistols and 20 cartridges from them.
Canada 25-Jul-2020
The Justin Trudeau Government will not recognise the results of the Punjab 2020 Referendum being organised by the pro-Khalistan group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). A spokesperson of Canada’s Foreign Ministry, stated in an email response to the queries of Canada’s stand on the referendum scheduled for November this year: “Canada respects the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of India, and the Government of Canada will not recognize the referendum.” The spokesperson also said that the bilateral relationship between Canada and India “is a priority for the Government of Canada.” However, Indian officials did not want to comment on this development on record, though one described it as “significant” that this was put in writing and a change from the earlier stance that the referendum was protected by freedom of speech and expression rights in Canada.
India 25-Jul-2020
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Captain Amarinder Singh welcomed Canada's decision to not recognise the results of the 'Referendum 2020' which is organised by Pro-Khalistan group, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). The CM is hoping other countries would follow Canada's example and reject the secessionist 'Referendum 2020', which the SFJ was promoting to divide India into communal lines. CM also said that the categorical stand taken by the Justin Trudeau government on this issue is exemplary. He hopes other nations and governments should come out, and be against SFJ as well—which has been banned by India as a terrorist organisation. He added that failing to oppose the separatist SFJ organisation could set a dangerous precedent for any country, this could be seen as covert support to an organisation that would freely be propagating secessionist activities.
India 25-Jul-2020
A day ahead of launching voter registration in Jammu and Kashmir for its online 'Referendum 2020' campaign, the banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) group has activated a direct hotline from United States (US) to woo people in the Valley infected with Covid-19. Intelligence agencies issued alerts across Jammu and Kashmir soon after the information leaked that the secessionist group has announced to give Rs 2,000 to every novel coronavirus infected persons in the Valley irrespective of their religion. According to sources, SFJ has offered financial support for four days between July 25 and July 28, an attempt to gain sympathy from residents of Jammu and Kashmir for its illegal 'Referendum 2020' agenda. In its message to people of Jammu and Kashmir, who are affected by the coronavirus, the SFJ has asked them to contact the group at its Covid-19 Hotline via WhatsApp on +19175796400 or email at [email protected] to get the aid.
India 25-Jul-2020
Police arrested two drugs smugglers, identified as Arvinder Singh and Romesh Singh and recovered 19500 intoxicant capsules and 110 intoxicant tablets from them near Adampur in Jalandhar district.
India 25-Jul-2020
Haryana Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (HSGPC) president Sant Baba Baljit Singh Daduwal alleged that Pakistan is carrying out genocide of Sikh youth in Punjab and Haryana by smuggling drugs and narcotics into India through the international border. He said, “Drug trafficking from across the border is a serious issue as it is a deliberate attempt to carry out the genocide of our youth, especially those living in the states bordering Pakistan.” “Our youth are getting physically and mentally ill. We will work on a war footing in association with other social welfare organisations to eradicate the menace of drugs. I have been working in this field for the past 25 years and with this additional responsibility I will intensity this mission,” he added.
India 26-Jul-2020
A day after India welcomed Canada's decision to reject 'Referendum 2020', the banned secessionist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) launched a portal from Canadian cyberspace to kickstart voter registration for the Khalistan Referendum in Jammu and Kashmir. The landing page of portal www.Canada4Referendum2020.ca conspicuously displays the red and white national flag of Canada merging with Khalistan flag. However, intelligence agencies claimed, they could not find any support to the SFJ's announcement which claimed to give Rs 2,000 to every novel coronavirus infected persons in the Valley irrespective of their religion. Earlier, SFJ had used a similar Canadian portal to propagate its anti-India agenda in Delhi to demand Khalistan, on July 19 but it failed because of action taken by Indian law enforcement agencies. A similar activity regarding referendum 2020 voter registration in Punjab on July 4 was also foiled by the agencies.
India 26-Jul-2020
The national spokesperson of the Akali Dal Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that injustice is being meted out to the Sikh community as the site of the martyrdom of Bhai Taru Singh ji at Naulakha Bazaar in Lahore, Pakistan is being claimed as the place of Masjid Shahid Ganj. “Sikhs even when they are the most humanitarian community are called Goonda by mischievous extremist elements in Pak who refuse to honour History,” Sirsa tweeted. He appealed to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to warn such extremist elements in Pakistan and take immediate action to save the Shaheedi Asthaan from illegal squatters.
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.
India 26-Jul-2020
India welcomed the first group of 11 members of the Sikh and Hindu minority community of Afghanistan, including Nidan Singh Sachdeva who was recently released from captivity. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, in a tweet, that the Indian government was "facilitating the return of Hindu and Sikh community members seeking permanent residency and citizenship in India".
India 27-Jul-2020
India lodged a strong protest with Pakistan against attempts allegedly being made to convert a historic Sikh Gurudwara into a Mosque at the Naulakha bazaar in Lahore. India ‘expressed its concerns in the strongest terms’ over an incident where an attempt was allegedly made to convert the Gurudwara ‘Shahidi Asthan’ - the site of the "martyrdom of Bhai Taru Singh ji" in 1745 - into the Masjid Shahid Ganj in Lahore. New Delhi said that the Gurudwara “is a place of reverence and considered sacred by the Sikh community” and that “this incident has been viewed with grave concern in India”.
India 27-Jul-2020
The Border Security Force (BSF) seized two plastic bottles containing around 1.5 kg of heroin from Ferozepur sector in Ferozepur district. According to BSF, the smugglers were trying to push the consignment across the Indian territory along the zero line in Ferozepur sector, but their attempt was thwarted by the BSF troops.
India 27-Jul-2020
The members of the SAD (Amritsar), along with other Sikh organisations held a protest march against the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for interfering in the state over the Referendum 2020. They were protesting against the suicide committed by the Sangrur youth at Amb Sahib Gurudwara on July 13, after he was summoned by the NIA.
India 27-Jul-2020
Police arrested a drugs peddler, identified as Naveen Kumar and recovered 20 grams of heroin from his possession in Phagwara in Kapurthala district.
India 27-Jul-2020
The intelligence agencies warned that the designated terrorist outfit and pro-Khalistan group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) has started targeting soldiers of the Sikh community in the Indian Army, threatening them to desert the force. They have alerted the armed forces and security establishments about the terrorist outfit’s nefarious activities. Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has been backing the malicious campaign launched by the SFJ. The SFJ is instigating Sikh defence personnel in the backdrop of the recent martyrdom of four Sikh soldiers in Ladakh sector during the recent clashes with Chinese troops at Line of Actual Control. The intelligence agencies also alerted that “Besides exploiting open social media platforms, the outfit is also using the encrypted chat platforms particularly WhatsApp for disseminating these inflammatory messages”. “The call is a pre-recorded one with the fwd number being+1 (617) 390-7018, likely to be belonging to Massachusetts, North America,” the agencies stated. SFJ members in the call are “motivating Sikh Indian soldiers not to get martyred for India”. They are inciting people by saying that India has a history of “not supporting Sikh people that is why they should leave Indian Army”. As per the message, Sikh people are being asked to join the ‘Sikhs For Justice’ campaign wherein on joining they will get Rs 5,000 more than their present salary in Indian Army.
India 27-Jul-2020
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh urged the Centre and Punjab government to stop arresting innocent Sikh youths in Punjab under the anti-terror law Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). He said that, “There is a dire need to order an independent judicial inquiry in this regard as poor Dalit youths in Punjab were being targeted.” The Jathedar made the statement after meeting a deputation led by Bholath Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Sukhpal Singh Khaira, who sought his intervention into the “rampant” arrest of Sikh youths after allegedly implicating them in terror cases.
Pakistan 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”.
Pakistan 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.
India 28-Jul-2020
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) condemned attempts to encroach upon a historic shrine dedicated to Shaheed Bhai Taru Singh in Pakistan and convert it into a mosque. SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal asked the Union Ministry to take up the matter with its counterpart across the border.
India 29-Jul-2020
The Punjab government told Punjab and Haryana high court that it is blocking all sites that are being launched by the banned pro-Khalistan group, Sikh For Justice (SFJ). The state responded to fresh application filed by one Bikramjit Singh Bajwa, a Mohali resident, who had demanded that necessary steps be taken against the SFJ, which, he said, has suddenly become very active furthering the cause of separate state for Sikhs.
India 29-Jul-2020
The banned pro-Khalistan group, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) has planned to hold voter registration camps for its secessionist agenda 'Referendum 2020' on August 15 in front of Indian embassies in seven countries, including the US and the UK. Besides the group is learnt to have plans for similar camps in Canada, Italy, Germany, France, Australia and New Zealand when Indian embassies there will be celebrating India's Independence Day on August 15. Indian security agencies have warned embassies in these countries to be on alert.
Canada 29-Jul-2020
According to sources, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is camping in Canada's capital Ottawa to coordinate the August 15 voter registration camps in front of Indian Consulates in Canada and other western countries. Recently, the SFJ, headed by Pannun in Canada, burnt the Indian tricolour in Canada and mailed the remains to the Indian High Commissioner in Ottawa. The group has claimed that "remains of Indian tricolour have been mailed to Ajay Bisaria, Indian High Commissioner in Ottawa as a symbolic gesture to remind India that Canada considers Khalistan as a political opinion unlike India where Referendum 2020 campaigners are being charged under UAPA and sedition". Article 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms declares the freedom to express political opinion as a fundamental right of the people, the SFJ claims in the mail. However, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry of Canada last week rejected the SFJ's 'Referendum 2020' campaign and said, "Canada respects the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of India, and the government of Canada will not recognise the referendum."
India 29-Jul-2020
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said he will do everything under the law as needed to protect the security and integrity of Punjab and of the nation, and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal’s threats could not deter him from ensuring the safety of his people. Pointing to the increasing attempts by Pakistan’s ISI to infiltrate terrorist modules and smuggle weapons into Punjab from across the border, the CM said his government was committed to taking whatever steps necessary, as per the law, to protect not just the state but India from these elements. There were forces bent on destabilising the nation by fomenting trouble and promoting the separatist ideology citing the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) Khalistani agenda. “Sukhbir should know that SFJ has been declared an unlawful organisation and its chief Gurpatwant Pannun had been designated a terrorist by the Indian government, and, as such, the police force of all states, including Punjab, were duty-bound to take all legal action to fight their attempts to subvert national security,” the CM said.
Canada 29-Jul-2020
Twenty-five Canadian Member of Parliaments (MP) have written to Canadian immigration minister Marco Mendicino calling for a special program for Afghan Sikh and Hindu refugees so that they can be brought back safely to Canada. The letter written by 16 Conservative Party of Canada (CPC), 6 New Democratic Party of Canada (NDP) and 3 Green Party expresses “concern about the existential threat to religious minorities in Afghanistan, specifically, the Sikhs and Hindus.”
United Kingdom 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.
India 30-Jul-2020
The Punjab government informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court that all websites being launched by outlawed Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) are being banned soon after they are noticed by the authorities. The court was also informed that 116 WhatsApp groups related to SFJ had been banned and 16 FIRs had been registered against the organisation.
India 30-Jul-2020
The Haryana government and the Centre also submitted to the Punjab and Haryana High Court that all the state authorities as well as the departments of the Union of India were aware of the threat posed by Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and all possible steps to counter every anti-national activity were being resorted to.
India 30-Jul-2020
A Kapurthala court granted bail to a 65-year-old resident of Akala village of Bholath, identified as Joginder Singh Gujjar alias Goga, who had been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on July 2. Bholath Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jatinderjit Singh submitted that till today, no evidence had come to the light suggesting that the accused was a member of the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) or any other unlawful association. He also submitted that there was no evidence to prove that he had participated or propagated the activities of SFJ’s Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
Belgium 30-Jul-2020
The European Council decided to renew the ban on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) of Sri Lanka, along with 20 other organizations including Babar Khalsa, Hizbul Mujahideen’ and Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF).
India 31-Jul-2020
India praised Canada for disavowing the Punjab Referendum 2020 campaign organized by the pro-Khalistan group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). India believes that in clearly disavowing the referendum the Canadian Government has set a precedent that should be emulated by other countries, particularly in the West. A senior official said, “Canada taking a lead is good start,” adding that the position was that this stand now “put pressure” on others to follow suit.
Canada 31-Jul-2020
The Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) attacked the Justin Trudeau’s government for its stand against referendum 2020 campaign and asserted it will go ahead with its plans in Canada and elsewhere. Its general counsel Gurpatwant Pannun in a statement said, “Canadian Sikhs will not let the Trudeau regime trump their right to peacefully express and propagate the political opinion of Khalistan by holding Referendum 2020. Trudeau government should find some other way to please India.”
United Kingdom 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.
India 01-Aug-2020
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops seized 2.9 kg heroin near border outpost (BOP) Old Mohammadi Wala in Ferozepur district in the wee hours.
India 01-Aug-2020
Police arrested a person after recovering 2,000 intoxicant capsules and 175 intoxicant injections from his possession in Phillaur in Jalandhar district.
India 02-Aug-2020
Police seized 261 kg of poppy husk from three vehicles in Abohar in Fazilka district. However, the occupants managed to flee taking advantage of the dark.
India 02-Aug-2020
Punjab police busted another Pakistan-backed cross border drugs and weapons smuggling racket, with the arrest of two smugglers including a BSF constable, posted along the Pakistan border in Tarn Taran district. According to Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta, the Jalandhar rural police had recovered a .30 Bore Pistol (made in China), along with 5 live rounds and ₹24.50 lakh as drug money, from the three, identified as Surmail Singh, Gurjant Singh and BSF constable Rajendra Prashad.
India 02-Aug-2020
India is preparing to bring back around 700 more Sikhs who are being 'tortured' in Afghanistan. These Sikhs will be brought back in several batches. Earlier, the first batch of 11 Sikhs reached India on July 26.
India 02-Aug-2020
According to reports, the past few months have seen much intimidation and threats meted out to the Sikhs in different parts of Pakistan. Sikh girls have been kidnapped and converted and attempts were made to convert a Gurudwara. Ironically, this is happening at a time when the Pakistan government has put in an extra effort to woo the Sikhs and invite them across the border from India to the Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara. This comes at a time when Pakistan is encouraging and funding the revival of a nascent Khalistan movement.
India 03-Aug-2020
After getting bail, the 65-year-old NRI Joginder Singh Gujjar claims he has nothing to do with pro-Khalistan group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) or its campaign for Khalistan ‘Referendum 2020’. He got bail after four weeks of being arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) after police told the court that they could not find any evidence against him. About a picture with SFJ leader Avtar Singh Pannun, Gujjar says that in 2019, Pannun had come to a Guruwara in Italy. Gujjar, who was president of the Gurudwara committee, says the committee decided to honour Pannun and others. “I was asked to give siropa (robe of honour) to Pannun. I don’t know him personally till date and not aware of his profile or activities,” he claims. He said that he had been living in Italy for the past 25 years and running a small shop there. He insists he is not involved in any political or secessionist activities.
India 03-Aug-2020
A Delhi court directed the city police to provide a man with a copy of an FIR registered against him. The man, identified as Rajkumar alias Lovepreet Singh is accused of being a Khalistan sympathiser who, along with others, was planning to execute people and extort others for money in various north Indian states on the directions of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)-sponsored Khalistan leaders.
India 03-Aug-2020
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust invited Giani Harpreet Singh, the acting Jathedar of the Akal Takht, to the bhoomi pujan ceremony being organised in Ayodhya on August 5 for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya in Faizabad district of Uttar Pradesh.
India 03-Aug-2020
Pro-Khalistani group, Dal Khalsa wrote a letter to the Akal Takht Jathedar saying that no Sikh must attend the event as a community representative. The letter from general secretary Parmjit Singh Tanda says, “Sikhs are a third religio-political entity in this sub-continent. They should not become part of any celebrations of one religion at the cost of other’s sentiments, especially in an event that has a history of controversy. For us, keeping cordial relations with both the communities (Hindus and Muslims) on equal grounds is in our quami (community) interests.”
Pakistan 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.
Pakistan 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.
United States 05-Aug-2020
Khalistani and Kashmiri separatists staged a demonstration against India at Times Square, New York City on the occasion of the bhoomi pujan ceremony of the Ram temple in Ayodha. The coordinator of Sikh Coordination Committee, East Coast, Himmat Singh said that the protest was held against the Hindutva regime supported by the BJP. According to intelligence sources, during the sponsored programme, various Sikh and Kashmiri hardliners spewed venom against India and pro-Pakistan and Khalistan slogans were also raised.
United States 05-Aug-2020
According to reports, only a handful of Pakistani protestors had gathered at the iconic Times Square for the anti-India demonstrations which were organized under the leadership of Himmat Singh, a pro-Khalistani Sikh, to counter the massive celebrations of Ram Temple foundation stone laying ceremony conducted by the Indian Diaspora. Around 20-25 people were gathered out of which only 2-3 were from Sikh community while the others were of Pakistani origin. They raised pro-Khalistan slogans with an aim to disrupt the celebrations of Indian community.
India 06-Aug-2020
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) decided that the entire cost of bringing the Sikhs living in Afghanistan to India would be borne by the SGPC.
India 07-Aug-2020
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) charged eight people of an International narco-terror gang, operating from Pakistan and Dubai, in connection with alleged smuggling of 500 kg heroin, through Gujarat sea route. NIA, in its charge sheet, said its probe showed that the heroin was brought in three trips from Pakistan through the sea route at Gujarat by the gang which was acting in conspiracy with Pakistani nationals. All three consignments were clandestinely transported to Punjab, NIA spokesperson Sonia Narang said.
India 07-Aug-2020
The Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Harpreet Singh said that, “The place where Ram Temple is being built up is important for Hindus. Equally important are the Gurdwaras for Sikhs, which were demolished in India.” He said, “I congratulate Hindu society for construction of Ram Temple, but I would like to say that Gurdwara Gian Godri (Haridwar), Gurdwara Dangmar Sahib (Sikkim) and Gurdwara Mangu Mutt (Puri) are as important and sacred places for Sikhs as Ram Temple for Hindus.”
United Kingdom 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."
India 09-Aug-2020
Police arrested two drug peddlers, identified as Harwinder Singh and Balwinder Singh after they recovered five kilograms opium and fifty kilograms poppy husk from the onion laden truck from near Boparai Kalan in Sudhar area in Ludhiana district.
United Kingdom 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.
India 09-Aug-2020
Some media persons informed Lucknow Police that an audio message in a female voice was doing the rounds in which a woman is heard urging people to protest against Ram temple construction terming it a step towards making India a ‘Hindu Rashtra’. The message further instigates the followers of a certain faith to demand a separate country on the lines of Khalistan.
India 09-Aug-2020
The anti-terror unit of Delhi Police Special Cell, which is probing a series of hate calls made to people ahead of Independence Day, has lodged an FIR of sedition and conspiracy and is trying to track down the caller. Complaints about VoIP calls being made from international numbers were made to police stating that the caller, a man, was inciting members of some communities to take “steps” towards dividing the country into smaller nations. The caller asked people to make a start by not allowing Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hoist the national flag at Red Fort on Independence Day. He also called for the formation of “Urdustan” on the lines of Khalistan.
United Kingdom 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".
India 10-Aug-2020
The World Punjabi Organisation president Vikramjit S Sahney will organize chartered flights to evacuate over 400 Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan in next few days in coordination with DSGMC and Indian Embassy in Kabul.
India 10-Aug-2020
The Punjab and Haryana high court said that persons accused of peddling drugs need to be dealt with firmly and no sympathy can be shown to them lest that should prove to be counter-productive and result in increased drug trafficking.
India 11-Aug-2020
The security agencies are on high alert as the banned pro-Khalistan group, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) have announced a $125,000 reward for anyone who hoists a Khalistan flag at the Red Fort on Independence Day on August 15. Delhi police along with different security establishments were alerted after the SFJ offer. Over 45,000 security personnel will guard every nook and corner of the city on Independence Day, besides over 2,000 snipers deputed at specific locations on high-rise buildings in the 5-km periphery around the Red Fort. Meanwhile, the security agencies have assured that it is "just an attempt by the SFJ to create panic".
India 11-Aug-2020
Police arrested five drug peddlers and seized drug money amounting to Rs 22.50 lakh from them at Verka in Amritsar district. Police claimed that the arrested persons used to smuggle heroin and opium from Jammu and Kashmir and sell in Punjab. The accused have been identified as Savinder Pal Singh alias Shind, Jagdeep Singh alias Kaka, Karamjit Singh alias Mana, Paramjit Singh alias Pamma and Rajwinder Singh alias Raju.
United Kingdom 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.
India 12-Aug-2020
The security agencies are on high alert as the banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) is learnt to have announced a $125,000 reward for anyone who hoists a Khalistan flag at the Red Fort on Independence Day on August 15. Delhi Police was busy coordinating with different security establishments ahead of Independence Day when it was alerted to the SFJ offer.
United Kingdom 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.
India 14-Aug-2020
Just a day before the Independence Day, two miscreants managed to reach the terrace of the four-storeyed district administrative complex in Moga in the morning and put up a saffron flag with Khalistan written on it, while their accomplice filmed the incident from a distance. The miscreants, while fleeing, took away the Tricolour on the ground floor and allegedly tore it. Later, Police personnel put up a new Tricolour and removed the saffron flag from the roof of the building. Moga Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harmanbir Singh Gill said that two youngsters brought along the saffron flag at 8.15am. “It was a normal flag with the Khanda symbol but they had written Khalistan on it with paint.” Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kaustubh Sharma said, “We have CCTV footage of the accused and will arrest them soon.”
India 14-Aug-2020
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Amarinder Singh directed police to take strict action against the miscreants responsible for hoisting a 'Khalistan' flag in the Moga administrative complex. He also appealed to youngsters not to get swayed by the vicious propaganda of anti-India elements like terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and his Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). "You try to come to Punjab and I will teach you a lesson," the CM warned Pannun, adding that any attempt to disturb the state's peace would be dealt with an iron hand. The CM said that he directed Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta to ensure that the two miscreants identified in the Moga incident are arrested at the earliest so that deterrent action can be taken against them, as per the law. Punjab Police has announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for the duo, whose CCTV grabs have been released.
India 15-Aug-2020
Police arrested a drug peddler, identified as Mangat Singh alias Manga along with one-kilogram poppy husk in Nakodar in Jalandhar district.
United Kingdom 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.
India 15-Aug-2020
Punjab Police registered cases against 45 persons, while 15 of them have been identified, for raising 'Khalistan Zindabad' slogans at BR Ambedkar Chowk in Jalandhar. Few Sikh organisations, including women and other minority groups, demanded 'Freedom of Khalistan' amid the Independence Day celebrations. While the Khalistani supporters declared their arrest unjust, police claimed that they broke Covid19 safety guidelines. In order to 'put an end' to the protest, cops took them away in a van at the Police Lines. The protesters led by Prof Mohinderpal Singh, general secretary of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) –(SAD-Amritsar) at Patiala were carrying placards on which it was written: Under UAPA, I am a terrorist”. He said, “It has been 73 long years since India got freedom, but nothing has changed. The litany of grouses, grievances, and grudges of Sikh people against India has grown with every passing year, in fact with every passing day. The protesters at Gurdaspur led by Dal Khalsa general secretary Paramjit Singh Tanda demanded the release of political prisoners, including including PinjraTod girls, Jaggi Johal, Jagtar Singh Hawara and Prof Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar and others.
Germany 15-Aug-2020
A group of Pakistanis and pro-Khalistan people on August 15 organised a rally in Germany's Frankfurt and the participants of the rally shouted slogans against India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with pro-Khalistan slogans. During the rally, Prashant Vengurlekar stood one side of the street with the tricolour in support of India. Later, Prashant Vengurlekar shared a video of the rally which also showed the participants charging at him for supporting India. The video showed that people in the rally were passing from an area in Frankfurt. While recording video of the rally, Prashant showed India's national flag to them without saying anything. When people in the rally noticed him with the tricolour, they hurled abuses and charged at him. One of the participants of the rally even attempted to hit Prashant with the Pakistani flag. The Police present at the scene also intervened to contain the situation.
India 15-Aug-2020
A controversy erupted when a Khalistan flag was hoisted at a Gurudwara in Dhudike village in Moga district. According to villagers, national flag was hoisted on the premises of the gurdwara in the presence of village sarpanch. The Gurudwara committee, however, objected to the tricolour being hoisted there. The tricolour was taken off. Later, some persons allegedly installed a saffron flag with ‘Khalistan’ written on it on the spot. The villagers removed that flag also and handed it over to police, claiming that they did not know who was behind it. Moga Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harmanbir Singh Gill, said that the controversy happened due to “internal party politics” in the village. “Khalistan written over the saffron flag was not even legible,” he said.