KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
Members of the banned pro-Khalistan group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) on Monday disturbed an Indian High Commission event organised by the Vancouver Consulate General in Abbotsford, Canada, even attacking a family for attempting to pick up an Indian flag fallen on the ground, said local sources.
Organised by the Khalsa Diwan Society Abbotsford, with the help of local gurdwara, the camp to issue life certificates to community members getting pension, so they don’t have to struggle to reach Vancouver saw a huge turnout.
However, goons of SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who has been designated terrorist in India, targeted a local Sikh family of grandfather, father and small son, which had come to the Gurudwara Sahib to obtain a life certificate for their aged father, said sources. “They were attacked because they attempted to pick up an Indian flag from the ground which was being disrespected by these referendum goons," said sources.
US-based Sikh leader Sukhi Chahal told CNN-News18: “In light of this, I humbly appeal to all Canadian Gurudwara Management committees to consider boycotting individuals associated with Khalistani SFJ, including Gurpatwant Pannu and their followers. This step is crucial to safeguard the Sikh society from further radicalisation and maintain the sanctity of our places of worship."
Top Indian government sources said this only confirms what they have been maintaining for long. “Only SFJ goons are involved in attacks against India. Sikhs have been always an integral part of India and this family felt bad about the disrespect to Indian flag," they said.
“The SFJ goons and their wanted leader, who is funded by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), is doing all these things…Police are watching it without any reaction. These incidents suggest that the Canadian government also want all these things to happen against India. This validates the Indian stand of expelling Canadian diplomats," sources said.
CNN-News18 had earlier reported how Pannun is being funded by Pakistan’s ISI, citing top intelligence sources.
A fortnight ago, Pannun in a statement said that “Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has created more open conversations around India and its handling of the Khalistani independence movement".