KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
Even as India prepares to host the G20 Summit in New Delhi on September 9-10, a host of anti-India groups have raised their tentacles in an attempt to spread negative propaganda against India. Pro-Khalistan group ‘Sikhs for Justice’ is one such group that has rallied against India both domestically as well as in Western countries, the major hub being Canada.
Social media hashtags
Among other things, the SFJ has launched a negative social media campaign before the G20 Summit due to the presence of Khalistan sympathisers in India. Hashtags like #Khalistan, #Delhi, #G20India2023, #SFJ, #KhalistanReferendum, and #DelhiMetro have been the trend on the social media platforms.
The Sikhs for Justice’s (SFJ) latest anti-India activity was the defacement of Delhi Metro property on August 27 by writing secessionist and pro-Khalistan slogans. The banned terror group SFJ is allegedly behind graffiti and anti-India activities, intelligence sources told News9.
Pannun’s threat video
Sikh For Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has also released a video where he is seen talking about the pro-Khalistan graffiti at Delhi Metro stations. He has also threatened the G20 Summit and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Social media influencers
The banned outfit has also claimed to protect gangsters in Punjab in pursuit of its secessionist agenda. The SFJ has also employed influencers on various social media platforms, who are actively involved in advocating for Khalistan and Sikh-related issues, indicating the online presence of the movement.
The SJ has also planned a ‘Khalistan referendum’ in Surrey, Canada, on September 10, to highlight the issue for a separate Khalistan state.
Negative sentiments
The recent activities of pro-Khalistan groups have spread a negative sentiments on social media platform especially in view of the G20 summit. The intelligence analysis concurred that these secessionist slogans are not only a threat to national security, but also create a sense of fear and insecurity among the people. The involvement of SFJ indicates international support for Khalistani activities targeting India, the intelligence source further told News9.
SFJ’s threat letter to Indian government
The letter of the Sikh Freedom Force (SFJ) to the Indian government said that the “battle of G20” is on till September 8, 2023. The letter said that the SFJ will not allow the G20 summit to be held in Delhi without raising the issue of Khalistan.
Sikh sympathisers on separatist Amritpal Singh
Intelligence sources further told News9 that the secessionist Sikh sympathisers are depressed following the crackdown on separatist Amritpal Singh. They said Khalistan sympathisers are campaigning falsely over social media to the extent that he would be released or SFJ will plan a safe escape for him.