KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR

The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) spokesperson, Aamir Hashmi, on October 20 revealed the board's decision to digitize five temples and gurdwaras in Pakistan. The sites include Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur Sahib, Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Hasan Abdal, Katas Raj temple, Chakwal, Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib, and Sadhu Bela Mandir, Sukkur. The initiative aims to provide virtual tours for devotees and enhance their spiritual connection with these religious sites. The tours will be accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. The ETPB manages properties left behind by Hindus and Sikhs who migrated to India after the 1947 partition.

According to reports, there have been calls for the establishment of Khalistan in the central area of Karachi in Pakistan with slogans proclaiming, "Pakistan Banega Khalistan, Karachi Banega Khalistan, Mulla Banega Khalsa." A video displaying these slogans has garnered substantial attention on social media. Pakistan has faced allegations of encouraging separatist sentiments in Punjab, particularly through its support for the Khalistan movement and assistance to Khalistani militants. This situation has escalated to the extent that pro-Khalistan slogans are now surfacing in the region, the report said.

Reports indicate that the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), responsible for the management and upkeep of gurdwaras in Pakistan, has come under scrutiny from the Sikh community. The criticism it faces stems from concerns expressed by the community, revealing their profound devotion and respect for these sacred locations.

The Sikh community in Lahore held a protest on September 20 against the Indian government, condemning the killing of Khalistani terrorist and the chief of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Lahore, Pakistan. Former member of the Punjab Assembly, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, claimed to the media that India had a hand in the assassination of the Khalistan leader. The protestors accused Indian intelligence agencies of targeting Sikhs globally and urged the international community to take note of India's alleged acts of terrorism.

On October 31, controversial Canada-based rapper Shubh addressed the viral hoodie controversy from his recent concert in an Instagram post, explaining that various items, including clothes and jewellery, were thrown at him during the performance, making it impossible for him to see what was on them. Shubh had recently faced criticism for flaunting a hoodie that appeared to glorify the assassins of former Indian Prime Minister (PM) Indira Gandhi, drawing condemnation from actor Kangana Ranaut. He urged people to stop spreading hate and negativity.

Canada's Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, during an event at the Economic Club of Canada in Toronto on October 30, stated that she is in touch with the Indian External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar. She also emphasized the importance of maintaining the long-term relationship despite the current difficulties.

The chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, highlighted a voter turnout of over 60,000 in Phase II of the Khalistan Referendum, which took place on October 29 in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. He stated that this is a non-violent "war" between Punjab and India, with Sikhs using votes as their weapon. Pannun addressed the rally virtually from Washington, DC, in the United States (US). The SFJ also demanded the arrest and prosecution of the Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, for his alleged involvement in the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Furthermore, they expanded the boundaries of the proposed Sikh homeland, Khalistan, to include Delhi. They plan to organize further referendum voting in Canada in 2024.

According to Pakistan media, thousands of Sikhs actively participated in the Khalistan Referendum held at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey in British Columbia province of Canada.

The Chief Coroner Judge Thomas Teague KC on October 11 declared that he ‘does not have the power’ to order an investigation into the death of Avtar Singh Khanda, a Khalistani terrorist who succumbed to leukaemia at Birmingham City Hospital on June 15. Earlier, Barrister Michael Polak, representing Khanda's mother, Charanjit Kaur, and his sister, Jaspreet Kaur, formally petitioned the chief coroner to launch an inquiry into Khanda's passing, citing section S3 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.

The Sikh restaurant owner in London, UK, Harman Singh Kapoor, whose cars were allegedly vandalized by Khalistani elements recently, on October 7 claimed that he has been receiving threats for the past nine months. Kapoor, who is currently in New Delhi, stated that the pro-Khalistan elements are defaming Sikhs, Hindus, and India. He further noted that the individuals who attempted to harm him were Sikhs. Kapoor asserted, "They are maligning Sikhs, Hindus, and India. I earnestly desire for this conflict to cease. Regrettably, no concrete action was taken by the authorities; they merely documented my complaint. The police have yet to apprehend the culprits, allowing the Khalistanis to remain at large. It appears that Khalistanis enjoy support within the police force and are considered political assets in that region. In the event of an assault on a fellow countryman, the accused ought to be apprehended. Unfortunately, in my case, these Khalistanis were not taken into custody by the police."

British Prime Minister (PM) Rishi Sunak expressed his hope for a reduction in tensions within the India-Canada diplomatic dispute during a conversation with his Canadian counterpart, Justin Trudeau on October 6. The discussion primarily revolved around the ongoing standoff regarding the assassination of a Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. Sunak reiterated the UK's commitment to upholding the rule of law, particularly in light of Canada's accusations of Indian involvement in the assassination of a wanted pro-Khalistan terrorist.

Satyam Surana, a student at the London School of Economics (LSE), in an interview, described his actions during a recent pro-Khalistan protest at the Indian embassy on October 2 in London, United Kingdom (UK), where Khalistani protestors desecrated the Indian tricolour. Surana explained how he felt compelled to rescue and fold the Tricolour with reverence after it was desecrated during the protest. Satyam shared that his actions were driven by a sense of duty as an Indian, despite the presence of hostile extremists at the scene. The flag is currently held by the police as evidence.

Gilbert Augustin was charged with manslaughter and assault as hate crimes on October 31 for the fatal beating of Jasmer Singh, a 66-year-old Sikh man, following a car accident in New York City, United States (US). During the altercation, Augustin used derogatory language, repeatedly referring to Singh as 'turban man.' This incident is part of a recent wave of hate crimes against Sikhs in the area, with another case involving the assault of a 19-year-old Sikh boy on a bus in Richmond Hill.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams on October 29 condemned recent attacks and hate crimes against the Sikh community. He emphasized that the Sikh turban symbolizes faith and protection, not terrorism while addressing members of the Sikh community at the Baba Makhan Shah Lubana Sikh Center in Queens, New York City, in the United States (US). He pledged to educate people about Sikhism and its values.

According to reports, a group of pro-Khalistani Sikhs in the United States (US) staged a protest outside the Indian Embassy in Washington DC, expressing support for Khalistan and condemning India. They called on the US to pressure the Narendra Modi-led Indian government to end Sikh-related atrocities and endorse the establishment of Khalistan. Additionally, they demanded justice for the family of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nagar, who was killed in Canada.

Mayor Ravi S Bhalla of Hoboken, New Jersey in the United States (US) on October 22 condemned recent hate crimes against Sikhs in the US, expressing concern over the rising violence and threats against the Sikh community.

During an Asia Society event in Sydney on October 12, Manpreet Vohra, the Indian High Commissioner to Australia, stated that Canada's claims regarding India's involvement in the assassination of a Sikh separatist leader have had minimal impact on India's diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific region. He mentioned that while Australia initially called for an investigation following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's accusations, there has been limited response from Southeast Asia and other areas.

The Queensland Police recently clarified that they have not concluded that Hindus orchestrated the vandalism of a temple in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, in March 2023. They have not released any such statement, despite media reports alleging Hindus' involvement instead of Khalistan extremists. The police explained that the case was filed due to a lack of evidence and that they will continue to investigate if new information becomes available. Initially, the temple vandalism was attributed to Khalistan extremists, and despite five Hindu temples being vandalized in the past eight months, no arrests have been made.

Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee France and the European Sikh Organization on October 2 organized a protest against the alleged persecution of Sikhs in India under the leadership of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, in Paris, France. The protesters displayed Khalistan flags, placards, and banners featuring prominent Khalistan leaders, including Amritpal Singh. The protesters chanted pro-Khalistan, anti-India, and anti-Modi slogans, expressing their determination to achieve Khalistan, a separate homeland for Sikhs.

According to sources, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) special team has located Khalistani terrorists Satnam Singh Satta in Greece, and Amrik Singh and Mandeep Singh in the Philippines. Cases have been registered against them under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for their involvement in supporting and fundraising for the Khalistan movement. The NIA has shared this information with Indian agencies, including the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), as well as authorities in Greece and the Philippines. These individuals are also on a list of fugitive Khalistani terrorists subject to property confiscation due to their anti-India activities.