KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
India 14-Jan-2025
Former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on January 14 vowed to make sacrifices for the Panth and Punjab, urging the Sikh community to reconnect with SAD during a rally at the Maghi Mela in Sri Muktsar Sahib district. Acknowledging past mistakes, he apologised to the Akal Takht over sacrilege controversies and accepted its punishment. Sukhbir also criticised jailed Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh, accusing him of inciting violence and endangering Punjab’s youth.
Canada 14-Jan-2025
Canadian journalist Tahir Gora, in an interview with ANI, criticised outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's diplomatic row with India, calling it a failed bid at vote-bank politics amid his declining popularity over economic and immigration issues. Gora expressed scepticism about India-Canada ties improving, citing entrenched Khalistani influence in Canadian politics. He stressed that the Khalistani issue has become Canada's internal problem, tied to rising crime and the glorification of terrorism.
India 14-Jan-2025
Sikh passengers flying internationally from Amritsar and Delhi airports have raised concerns over being barred from carrying kirpans and khanda necklaces, despite their small size. United States (US)-based traveller Prabhpreet Singh reported being asked to remove a tiny kirpan during a flight from Amritsar, a first in his decade of international travel. Amritsar Airport officials clarified that the restrictions are in line with Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) guidelines, which prohibit carrying kirpans or metallic items on international flights. Only the government can review or amend these regulations.
India 14-Jan-2025
A Delhi court will resume hearing arguments on January 28 in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler. The case involves the murder of three Sikhs at Gurdwara Pul Bangash, with a witness alleging that Tytler instigated the mob. Charges of murder and rioting were framed against him in September 2024. Tytler, on anticipatory bail since 2023, is prohibited from tampering with evidence or leaving the country without permission.
India 15-Jan-2025
Sources reveal that a security review of former Delhi Chief Minister (CM) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal has been initiated following intelligence inputs about a Khalistani extremist outfit’s plot to assassinate him. Kejriwal, who is under Z-Plus security, is protected by a multi-layered team of Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel. The plot, reportedly backed by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), aims to disrupt law and order. Kejriwal has previously faced threats from Indian Mujahideen and has been a target of physical attacks. The banned Khalistani terror group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) had also targeted him in the past.