KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a self-professed human rights advocacy group based in US, is a separatist organization formed in 2007 that seeks the creation of a separate homeland for Sikhs - a ‘sovereign state of Khalistan’ – by carving out Punjab region from Indian state. SFJ, with its head office in US, also has offices in UK, Canada and Pakistan. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a law graduate from Panjab University (India) and currently an attorney at law in the US, is the legal adviser and the main face of SFJ.
Though, it has been campaigning for the “rights” of Sikhs minority in India since 2007, the group has emerged as the prominent face of pro-Khalistani separatist campaign recently after launching its online campaign ‘Referendum 2020’ in 2014. The campaign seeks to lay the foundation for a 'non-binding' referendum to be conducted in November 2020, in major cities of North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Kenya, the Middle East, and Indian state of Punjab, among Sikhs across the world for creating a separate Sikh homeland. As the front organisation in charge of mobilising the global Sikh community under the aegis of the ‘Referendum 2020’, SFJ organised a ‘London declaration’ rally at Trafalgar Square on August 12, 2018. Earlier, the UK authorities rejected Indian authorities’ request to deny SFJ permission to hold the rally by siting Pakistan’s role in the whole campaign, later in which the presence of Pakistan’s ISI was evident.
In furtherance of its cause’ SFJ also had invited gangsters operating in Punjab to fight for Khalistan movement. SFJ’s legal adviser Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in February 2018, put out a video message, saying “gangsters should not waste their lives. Instead, work for the Khalsa panth and your name will be written in golden letters and remembered for centuries”.
SFJ, for its referendum2020 campaign, has a
website, which says, “Once there is a consensus within the Punjabi people that
independence from India is desired, we will then approach the UN and other international
forms and bodies with the goal of re-establishing Punjab as a nation state.” According
to Indian Intelligence sources, the SFJ website shares its domain with and
source content from a Karachi-based website and the two websites are hosted by
the same virtual server. Subsequently, the website was blocked by authorities
in Indian subcontinent in early 2018.
The Government of India on July 10, 2019, declared SFJ as an unlawful association under Provision 3 (1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in its notification, stated that SFJ was involved in anti-national and subversive activities in Punjab; was in close touch with militant outfits and activists supporting violent form of extremism in Punjab and elsewhere to carve out a sovereign Khalistan; was encouraging and aiding the activities for secession; and supporting separatist groups in India and elsewhere. SFJ enjoys strong online presence through social media accounts run in its own name or by its leaders — main promoter Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a New York-based attorney, apart from Hardip Singh Nijjer and Paramjit Singh Pamma who are principal proponents of “Referendum 2020” in Canada and UK respectively.
According to MHA, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Punjab Police and Uttarakhand Police have registered as many 12 cases against SFJ activists in India and thirty-nine persons were arrested in these 12 cases in the past four years. The MHA further empowered eight states which have a “sizeable presence of Sikh population”, including Punjab and Delhi to take action against SFJ if they try “to brainwash Sikh community in favour of Khalistan movement”.
Pakistan on November 23, 2018, gave permission to SFJ, to open its office in Lahore. It has also reported that SFJ uses several Gurdwaras in Pakistan to promote its pro-Khalistan campaign as it distributes pamphlets related to “referendum 2020”. SFJ has termed the historical Kartarpur Corridor ‘a bridge to Khalistan’ and announced a Kartarpur Sahib Convention -2019 in Pakistan.
SFJ's activities were reported mainly from countries like Pakistan, Canada, US and UK
The group has only 8-10 active members based in
US, UK, Canada and Germany. However, it has a strong social media presence with
more than 2 lakh followers.
Most of its pro-Khalistani activities remain on
the social media platforms. It is also known for initiating lawsuits and
protesting against prominent Indian political leaders while they visit western
countries especially US.
SFJ was formed in 2007 with Avtar Singh Pannun as its
President and Gurpatwant Singh Pannun as its legal advisor.
The Government of India on July 10, 2019, proscribed SFJ as an unlawful
association under Provision 3 (1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act,
1967.
Date: 26-Sep-2019
Casualties: NIL
Details: A 38-year-old Indian woman, member of the SFJ, was among 16 terror suspects arrested for allegedly planning to attack leaders of local political parties in Malaysia.
Date: 09-Jul-2019
Casualties: NIL
Details: SFJ activist Paramjit Singh Pamma and his associate were arrested by Police during a World Cup 2019 cricket match at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester
Date: 12-Aug-2018
Casualties: NIL
Details: SFJ conducted a ‘London Declaration’ rally at Trafalgar Square in support of its referendum 2020 campaign. Over 2,000 pro-Khalistani supporters took part in the rally.
| Incident Date | Incident | Civilian Killed | Military Killed | Security Force Killed | Civilian Injured | Military Injured | Security Force Injured | Civilian Abducted | Military Abducted | Security Force Abducted |
| 19-Mar-2023 | Intelligence agencies claimed that while Waris Punjab De (WDP) leader Amritpal Singh was in Dubai, he was in regular contact with Khalistani militant Paramjit Singh Pamma and Lakhbir Singh Rode's brother Jaswant Singh Rode, who is a banned Khalistani operator stationed in Pakistan. The agencies have also obtained information about funds that the treasurer of Amritpal, identified as Basant Singh Daulatpura, received from Pakistan. An intelligence officer said, “The financial analysis revealed that his associate, John Singh, is a prominent member of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and actively participated in the activities of Referendum 2020 in the US. Another suspected financier, who is Canada-based, recently sent Rs 1 lakh for Waris Punjab De.” Before returning to India on August 20, 2022, Amritpal spent one-and-a-half months in Georgia, a senior officer said. | |||||||||
| 19-Mar-2023 | Pro-Khalistan outfit, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) reportedly organized a ‘Khalistan Referendum 2020’ in Brisbane, Australia on March 19. However, the turnout for the event was reportedly low, with only about 100 attendees present. The editor of Australia Today, Jai Bharadwaj, stated that the organizers originally intended for the event to run from 9 am to 5 pm, but closed it down at 4 pm due to lack of attendance. Even, the majority of gurudwaras turned down the requests for assistance from the referendum organizers. | |||||||||
| 19-Mar-2023 | Indian counterterrorism officials on March 19 claimed that Amritpal Singh, the leader of Waris Punjab De (WPD), was trained by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in Georgia before returning to India from Dubai, UAE. They further alleged that Amritpal maintained close connections with the pro-Khalistani outfit, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and received funding as part of a broader plan to revive militancy in Punjab. According to an official, “Amritpal Singh was given money as part of a well-orchestrated scheme to resurrect militancy in Punjab while he was living in Dubai, which is a hub for ISI agents. Before his flight to India, ISI sent him to Georgia for training’’. "Amritpal Singh also has ties to SFJ and has even campaigned for its social media activities. Besides, he has links with drug smugglers across the border identified by their pseudo names – Billa, Bilal and Rana,” the official added. | |||||||||
| 18-Mar-2023 | According to reports, the Pakistani media is openly campaigning for the second phase of ‘Khalistan Referendum’ which is going to take place at the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre in Australia on March 19. The pro-Khalistan separatist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) is purportedly organizing the voting. An article in Radio Pakistan published on March 18, claimed that more than 50,000 Sikhs cast their ballots in favor of the Khalistan Referendum during the initial round of voting in Melbourne at the end of January 2023. | |||||||||
| 17-Mar-2023 | Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the head of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), in an audio message on March 17 threatened to teach the big leaders of the country a lesson and also threw a challenge to Gujarat police. The message, which was pre-recorded and directed to numerous mobile users in Gujarat, contained Pannun's allegation that the Union government's leaders were accountable for the fatalities of Sikh farmers who demonstrated against the new agricultural policies in 2020-2021. The audio message went on to caution that the SFJ would not pardon the government for those casualties. | |||||||||
| 15-Mar-2023 | Khalistan supporters organized an unauthorized gathering that obstructed the entrance to the Honorary Consulate of India situated in Brisbane, Australia, resulting in its closure on March 15. According to reports, slogans were raised against Hindus calling them supremacists with ‘Khalistan Zindabad’ during the gathering of Khalistani supporters. According to Sarah L Gates, the Director of Hindu Human Rights, the Indian consulate had to shut down for safety reasons after Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) targeted them with their propaganda. This is not the first instance of Khalistan supporters intimidating the Indian consulate in Brisbane, Australia; on February 21, they raised the Khalistan flag at the consulate's office. | |||||||||
| 14-Mar-2023 | In the wake of a video clip released by the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) of damaging the railway track leading towards Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant at Lehra Mohabbat ahead of the G20 Summit, Punjab police on March 14 carried out a special cordon and search operation in all 28 police districts of the state and conducted searches at various locations and hideouts connected to foreign-based gangsters and their allies. According to the police, more than 300 houses and other shelters were checked during these raids, which included nearly 100 police parties and more than 1,000 police officers. | |||||||||
| 12-Mar-2023 | Gujarat Police on March 12 arrested two accused, identified as Rahul Kumar Dwivedi and Narendra Kushwaha for allegedly making threats to disrupt a cricket match at the behest of the pro-Khalistan organization Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) from Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh. During the search, police also seized 11 sim boxes, each of which could hold 300 sim cards, and four routers. Prior to the India-Australia cricket match, which was attended by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese, a mass message which warned that a pro-Khalistan group planned to storm the cricket stadium and raise its flag was sent out widely. | |||||||||
| 10-Mar-2023 | The Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) vice-chancellor Jaspal Singh Sandhu and police on March 10 denied Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s claim that he had raised Khalistan flag at GNDU. A police official investigating the issue said that, “We didn’t find anything with regards to the claims of Pannun; there is much likely possibility of fake videos sent by SFJ to gain popularity in media.” Earlier, ahead of the visit of President Droupadi Murmu, on March 9, Pannun, in a video message, claimed to have put banners eulogizing Khalistan on the walls of GNDU. | |||||||||
| 09-Mar-2023 | The pro-Khalistani outfit, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), put up Khalistani posters at Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar on March 9. The posters were hung on the Guru Nanak Dev University's walls with the slogan, "Welcome G-20 leaders to Khalistan; Punjab is not India; Khalistan Zindabad." Notably, SFJ, earlier, called for ‘Rail Roko' (impeding trains) all across the state on March 15 and 16 in an attempt to disrupt the sessions of the G20 summit 2023, which is scheduled to take place in Amritsar. | |||||||||
| 08-Mar-2023 | Thousands of people in Gujarat on March 8 received bulk messages and pre-recorded calls, purportedly by the head of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) Gurupatwant Singh Pannun, threatening to “storm into the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium” in Ahmadabad in Gujarat. In the pre-recorded voice message, Pannun stated, “People of Gujarat, on 9th March, stay home and stay safe because pro-Khalistan Sikhs are going to storm Narendra Modi cricket stadium and install Khalistani flag. Do not become a victim between pro-Khalistan Sikhs and Indian police”. The messages were aimed at creating panic amongst people ahead of the visit of the prime ministers of India and Australia. | |||||||||
| 06-Mar-2023 | Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) Chief Gurupatwant Singh Pannun, on March 6 released a video addressing the G20 representatives where he claimed that Punjab is not a part of India and threatened that the railway services will be blocked in multiple locations in front of G20 representatives. In the video, the SFJ leader gave a call for “Rail Roko on March 15-16”. "The Singhs fighting for the freedom of Punjab have installed flags at the Makhu Railway Station which state "G20 nations welcome to Khalistan". Punjab is not a part of India. The red flags put up at the Makhu station said that from March 15 to 16, all the rail services in Amritsar, Ferozepur, Bathinda, and Ludhiana will remain shut," Pannun said in the video. He further asked the people of Punjab to ensure that the railway services are blocked in front of G20 representatives. | |||||||||
| 04-Mar-2023 | According to sources, the wall of Shree Laxmi Narayan Temple in Brisbane, Australia was vandalized by unknown pro-Khalistan supporters on March 4. This was the fourth such incident of vandalism against Hindu temples in two months in Australia. Sarah Gates, who is the Director of Hindu Human Rights said, "This latest hate crime is a pattern of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) globally, clearly attempting to terrorise Australian Hindus. Coupled with a barrage of propaganda, illegal signs, and cyberbullying, the organisation intends to present all-pervasive threats, fear, and intimidation." | |||||||||
| 03-Mar-2023 | The Fatehgarh Sahib District Police conducted a cordon and search operation on March 3 to nab Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) supporters in the Jassran village of the Fatehgarh Sahib District. The homes of two former SFJ sympathizers were raided by the police, but nothing incriminating was found. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Jangeet Singh, said that the Punjab Police initiated a cordon and search operation campaign, to nab anti-nationals, drug dealers, gangsters, and criminals from the district. | |||||||||
| 02-Mar-2023 | The police in Delhi and Punjab were warned by intelligence agencies that pro-Khalistan elements may attempt to disturb communal harmony by attacking Amritpal Singh and would try to inflame sentiments in the aftermath. The agencies have also alerted about the terrorist outfit, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), threatening to storm the IGI Airport building in Delhi with Khalistani flags and unfurl one on top ahead of the G20 summit. Also, intelligence agencies have asked that the police to keep a close check on the funds that the Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal is receiving. Security agencies also suspect that Amritpal Singh is receiving financing aid from Pakistan's Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) to be promoted as Bhindranwale 2.0 on social media. | |||||||||
| 27-Feb-2023 | The chief of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in a video posted on social media on February 27 threatened to “storm and target” New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport with Khalistan flags during the upcoming G20 Foreign Ministers Summit in New Delhi. The video also shows slogans written "Punjab is Not India" and "Khalistan Zindabad" by the outlawed pro-Khalistan group at the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Office Complex of Rode village in Moga district of Punjab. Pannun in the video further said that the graffiti is aimed to communicate to the foreign ministers of G20 countries that “Punjab is not a part of India”. “This message is for the G20 foreign ministers. Punjab is not India. SFJ will storm and target the New Delhi Airport with Khalistan flags,” he said. | |||||||||
| 14-Feb-2023 | The Consulate General of India at Toronto condemned the defacing of Ram Mandir (Temple) in Mississauga, Canada and requested Canadian authorities to investigate the incident and take prompt action on perpetrators. Earlier, the Ram Mandir in Mississauga was vandalised and defaced with anti-India graffiti by unknown persons. Also, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a banned terrorist organisation with US bases, has taken responsibility for the attack. | |||||||||
| 11-Feb-2023 | According to reports, Delhi Police on February 11 identified Gagandeep and his father Jasbir Singh, associated with the Khalistani terror outfit Sikh For Justice (SFJ), accused of funding their sleeper cell members in Delhi to put up anti-India posters ahead of India’s 74th Republic Day. Reports said that the duo, believed to be residents of California in the United States (US), conspired with the SFJ head Gurupatwant Singh Pannun. They funded their sleeper cell members, along with Pannun, to put up posters to further Khalistani propaganda, threatening terrorist attacks at 12 places across the national capital. | |||||||||
| 11-Feb-2023 | According to reports, pro-Khalistan terrorist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) announced to hold its next round of ‘Khalistan Referendum’ voting in Brisbane, Australia on March 19. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the head of SFJ, declared that "the March 19 “Battlefield - Brisbane” Khalistan Referendum Voting Centre is dedicated to Shaheed Bhai Harmeet Singh Bhaowal and Shaheed Bibi Baljinder Kaur who were bombed to death along with their nine months old son Pavittar Singh on December 05, 1992, by the Indian Police forces in Haryana." | |||||||||
| 02-Feb-2023 | India on February 2 condemned recent vandalism in Australia and demanded that the Australian government make sure that its land was not being used for anything that threatened "our security, integrity, and national interest." Earlier, Indian citizens who were protesting against a purported "Khalistan referendum" that the banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) organized in Melbourne over the weekend were attacked by Khalistani activists. India had already complained to Australian authorities about the incidents. “We strongly condemn such attacks by extremist elements and we urge local authorities to investigate and punish the perpetrators. We have been repeatedly taking up with the Australian authorities our concerns about actions by such elements, including those that are proscribed terrorist organisations,” External Affair Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said. “We conveyed our firm rejection of the so-called Khalistan referendum and politically motivated exercises by extremist elements,” he added. | |||||||||
| 29-Jan-2023 | Delhi Police Special Cell on January 29 arrested two men, identified as Vikram Singh (29) and Balram Singh (34) in connection with the pro-Khalistan posters and graffiti purportedly popped up in several West Delhi localities. According to police, the duo allegedly worked with a banned Khalistani organisation which was “plotting to carry out terror attacks in the city”. Police said graffiti and posters were seen on walls in Vikaspuri, Janakpuri, Paschim Vihar, Peeragarhi, Meera Bagh and other parts on January 19 and 20. Soon after, banned organisation Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) released a purported video claiming responsibility. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, general counsel at SFJ, said in the video that the organisation will target Delhi on Republic Day and “raise” Khalistani flags. | |||||||||
| 29-Jan-2023 | India on January 30 lodged a protest with Australian authorities over attacks by Khalistani activists on people of Indian origin who were protesting against a so-called “Khalistan referendum” organised by the outlawed Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) over the weekend. Indian high commissioner Manpreet Vohra took up the violent incidents in central Melbourne on January 29 with the premier of Victoria state, Daniel Andrews, at a meeting on January 30. Meanwhile, Australian high commissioner Barry O’Farrell, in New Delhi, said he was “appalled” by the incidents and that Victoria police are investigating a number of people for “criminal acts of violence”. According to reports, scuffles between Khalistani activists and pro-India groups occurred at Federation Square in Melbourne on January 29 afternoon amid the non-binding referendum on creating an “independent Khalistan”, which has already been denounced by India. SFJ organised the referendum in Australia after similar polls in Canada, the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK). | |||||||||
| 28-Jan-2023 | According to reports, the pro-Khalistani outfit, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) announced that voting for their Australian chapter of “Khalistan independence referendum” will be held at Federation Square in Melbourne on January 29. Melbourne’s Ravi Inder Singh, a representative of the Miri Piri Gurudwara said that the voting exercise, known as the “Khalistan referendum”, would be a significant step towards self-determination for millions of Sikhs around the world. | |||||||||
| 26-Jan-2023 | According to reports, unknown persons painted pro-Khalistan slogans on the board of Beant Singh Memorial at Sector 42 in Chandigarh on Republic Day. The slogans were written in Punjabi on both sides of the board installed on the road opposite the furniture market. The suspects also wrote SFJ (Sikhs for Justice) Zindabad on the board. | |||||||||
| 26-Jan-2023 | India on January 26 strongly condemned the incidents of recent attacks on Hindu Temples in Australia and said these were clear attempts to sow hatred and division among the peaceful multi-faith and multi-cultural Indian-Australian community. New Delhi also urged the Australian authorities to ensure safety and security of Indians living there. Registering its condemnation, the Indian High Commission in Canberra said in a strongly worded statement "The frequency and impunity with which the vandals appear to be operating are alarming, as are the graffiti which include the glorification of anti-Indian terrorists. The High Commission highlighted "that pro-Khalistan elements are stepping up their activities in Australia, actively aided and abetted by members of proscribed terrorist organisations such as the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and other inimical agencies from outside Australia." | |||||||||
| 25-Jan-2023 | According to report, 'Signals that pro-Khalistan elements are stepping up their activities in Australia, actively aided & abetted by members of proscribed terrorist orgs such as the Sikh For Justice (SFJ) & other inimical agencies from outside Australia, have been evident for some time, said High Commission of India, Canberra' | |||||||||
| 24-Jan-2023 | The Punjab Police arrested notorious gangster Jagdeep Singh alias Jaggu Baghwanpuria, allegedly been associated with the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and Sikh For Justice (SFJ), from Delhi’s Tihar Jail. He was taken to Punjab on transit remand and was later sent to police custody by a court there. | |||||||||
| 24-Jan-2023 | Khalistani graffitis were found on January 24 at the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) complex, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, National Fertilisers Limited, and Mata Kali temple in Punjab. According to reports, the outer walls of five local places were smeared with Khalistani graffiti. Later, the pro-Khalistani outfit Sikh For Justice (SFJ)’s head Gurpatwant Singh Pannun uploaded the graffiti's video on social media, where he asked people not to attend the official function in Bathinda on January 26 and warned the Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann against unfurling the national flag. The same scare tactics were used in several other towns of Punjab, said the report. | |||||||||
| 23-Jan-2023 | The Supreme Court (SC) advocate Vineet Jindal on January 23 filed a complaint with Delhi police against an unknown person linked to the Khalistani terrorist organisation Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) for giving life threats on calls and WhatsApp. In his complaint, Jindal said that he had received death threats from terrorist organisations, including Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), SFJ and Islamic terrorists as well. He recently filed a complaint against SFJ for propagating the Khalistani movement in India and threatening terrorist activities on Republic Day. According to sources, Jindal received death threats from two international numbers +61474268548 and +15105841217. Later, he also received a death threat in messages on WhatsApp from +61474268645. In the message, there was a video message from Khalistani supporters who burnt an effigy. There was a message with images of the gun firing at a mat. | |||||||||
| 23-Jan-2023 | Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) -Intelligence- asked all deputy commissioners to monitor government buildings round the clock for three days ahead of Republic Day to prevent activists of Sikh For Justice (SFJ) from ‘indulging in illegal activities’. Activists of the banned organisation, SFJ, often write Khalistan slogans or hoist the Khalistani flag on government buildings on important occasions like Independence Day and Republic Day. DGP – Intelligence- in a letter said, “Sikh for Justice activists may indulge in illegal activities and hoist Khalistani flags or write Khalistani slogans on the vacant buildings.” | |||||||||
| 22-Jan-2023 | According to report, the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) of Punjab Police booked five people including gangster Jagdeep Singh alias Jaggu Bhagwanpuria for their alleged links with the terror outfits. The accused also include some people based in foreign countries who have been involved in terror activities in the past. Apart from Bhagwanpuria, those booked were identified as Amritpal Singh, UK-based Paramjeet Singh alias Pamma, USA-based Darmanjot Singh Chahal and Pargat Singh. It was alleged in the First Information Report (FIR) that Bhagwanpuria and Pargat Singh had ties with proscribed outfits Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) to carry out terror related activities in Punjab. | |||||||||
| 21-Jan-2023 | The Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) head Gurupatwant Singh Pannun posted a video on social media asserting to execute a terrorist attack in the wake of India prepares to celebrate its 73rd Republic Day on January 26. Pannun, in the video, claimed to “liberate Punjab from Indian occupation in 2023”. He said, “Stay indoors on January 26, or you’ll be thwarted by the SFJ. Delhi will be our target, and we will unfurl the flag of Khalistan.” He also offered 5,00,000 dollars to anyone who unfurls Khalistan’s flag on the Red Fort. Following the threats, lawyer Vineet Jindal filed a complaint against the SFJ and Pannun in the Supreme Court. | |||||||||
| 19-Jan-2023 | Delhi Police on January 19 removed graffitis painted on a wall with slogans like “Khalistan Zindabad” and “Referendum 2020” in the Paschim Vihar area in West Delhi. Text such as “SFJ” (Sikhs For Justice), “Referendum 2020”, “Vote for Khalistan” were also seen painted on a wall. According to Delhi Police Public Relations Officer (PRO) Suman Nalwa, "Some people had painted anti-national, Khalistan-related graffiti at some locations in Delhi. This is not a security-related issue. Legal action will be taken in this matter. Delhi Police is ensuring that no wrong activities take place ahead of Republic Day.” | |||||||||
| 04-Jan-2023 | A poster of a so-called referendum by the Khalistanis was found outside Plumpton Gurdwara, Victoria, Australia and the same was shared on the social media platforms. The posters included the images of former Indian Prime Minister (PM) Indira Gandhi, Beant Singh and Satwant Singh. The poster read, 'the last battle. Khalistan Referendum. Voting January 29, Melbourne.' This comes in the wake of India warning Australia of increasing presence of Khalistani extremists in the country in December. This was following a Khalistani Referendum Rally being announced. The Australian authorities began looking into the matter following the warning. It however seems that no major action has been initiated by Australia ahead of the so-called referendum schedule for January 29. The same has been called by the proscribed terror group, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). The images have been shared by several social media handles that are pro-Khalistan. The posters while being shared blamed the Hindutva system of India for the Sikh Genocide of 1984. | |||||||||
| 03-Jan-2023 | The pro-Khalistan group, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) issued a warning for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi ahead of his Bharat Jodo Yatra which will enter Punjab on January 11. The Khalistani group once again threatened the Congress leader and challenged him to walk on the streets of Punjab. The group in the video said that a "bomb found in the park near CM Bhagwant Mann's Chandigarh residence could also have been found on the helipad." | |||||||||
| 03-Jan-2023 | Slogans in favour of Khalistan were found written on the walls of the SSP office in Sri Muktsar Sahib in Sri Muktsar Sahib district. Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), a banned Khalistani terror organization based in the US, released a video taking responsibility for the act. Reportedly, the incident took place outside SSP Upinderjit Singh Ghuman's office where the walls were defaced with various slogans. Slogans like ‘Khalistani Zindabad’, ‘Rahul Gandhi Bharat Jodo Yatra’, Indira Gandhi assassination, etc were written on the wall. Later, SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun released a video of himself talking about various incidents in Punjab including bomb found near Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s office, Khalistani slogans written and also spoke about Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination. | |||||||||
| 20-Dec-2022 | 'Khalistan Zindabad' was found written on the walls of Government College in Sri Muktsar Sahib District on December 20. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), reportedly claimed responsibility for the incident. | |||||||||
| 30-Nov-2022 | Unknown persons wrote separatist slogans in the office premises of Block Development and Panchayat Officer in Malout in Muktsar district on November 30 night. On December 1 morning, when informed, policemen reached the spot and erased these slogans. At the same time, through a video, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun took responsibility for the incident and threatened Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann to meet the same fate as late former CM Beant Singh. Pannun alleged that Bhagwant Mann's government is forcing the farmers of Punjab to commit suicide. The then CM Beant Singh was killed in an explosion on August 31, 1995. | |||||||||
| 06-Nov-2022 | The pro-Khalistan group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) announced a legal aid of Rs 10 lakh to defend the man who shot and killed Shiv Sena leader Sudhir Suri in Punjab's Amritsar. Suri was on a sit-in protest outside a temple over alleged sacrilege of Hindu idols and images when he was shot by Sandeep Singh alias Sunny, who was taken into custody from the spot itself. SFJ has termed the shooting of Sena leader Suri "assassination" and not "terrorism". SFJ's General Counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in a video message from Paul Coffee Arena in Canada, said, "SFJ stands behind Bhai Sandeep Singh who took down Suri with referendum by bullet." | |||||||||
| 04-Nov-2022 | Member of the Provincial Parliament (MPP) of Canada’s Ontario state, Deepak Anand, while condemning the attempts of the extremist Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) to spread hatred among the Hindu and Sikh communities settled in Canada has asked the Justin Trudeau government to bridle such activities that have the potential to trigger violence. Meanwhile, a poster displayed in Mississauga city of Canada on November 3 by the Khalistani outfit SFJ alleging, “An 8 days old Sikh infants burnt alive by Hindu mobs” in 1984 and demanding that the Canadian government declare incidents of 1984 as a “genocide of Sikhs” is evoking sharp reactions. The SFJ holds such demonstrations abroad every year to remind people of the aftermath of Indira Gandhi’s assassination on October 31, 1984, resulting in the killings of the Sikhs in Delhi and elsewhere in the country. Holding a demonstration in support of its demand the SFJ extremists alleged that trained and paid Hindu mobs killed Sikhs quoting a book written by some obscure writer. The name of the book was not mentioned. | |||||||||
| 03-Nov-2022 | India reiterated its concern over certain forces planning a so-called Khalistan referendum in Canada on November 6 and asked to prevent anti-India activities by individuals and groups. The pro-Khalistan group, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) has proposed the referendum in Mississauga, near Toronto, on November 6. India has also urged Canada to designate as terrorists under its laws those individuals and entities who have been declared as terrorists under Indian laws. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "I think we have made our position clear a couple of times. Our position on the efforts by anti-India elements to hold a so-called Khalistan referendum is well known. It has been conveyed to the Canadian government both in New Delhi and in Canada." The Canadian government has conveyed to India that Canada will not recognise the objectionable 'Khalistan' referendum organised by the proscribed organisation Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) in Ontario on November 6, the MEA said. | |||||||||
| 21-Aug-2022 | The chief of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, released a video challenging Prime Minister (PM), Narendra Modi ahead of his visit to Mohali of Punjab on August 24. Notably, PM, Modi is all set to visit Punjab on August 24 to inaugurate the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre at Mullanpur in Mohali. However, SFJ chief Pannun released a video in which he challenged PM Modi and asked him to stay away from Punjab. In the video he also used words to insult PM Modi. Defaming Modi, Pannun also stated that biggest cancer is that of slavery in Punjab. The Indian government is giving this cancer by dissolving poison in the water of Punjab. Pannun provoked people to assemble on August 24 with holding the flag of Khalistan in hands. | |||||||||
| 11-Aug-2022 | Security has been heightened at all Railway Stations across Punjab in wake of recent threats from Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of banned terror outfit, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), ahead of Independence Day on August 15. An Assistant Inspector General (AIG)-level meeting was held by Government Railway Police (GRP) on August 11 with regards to security arrangements at railway stations. AIG GRP Harmeet Hundal issued directions to all officials to keep strict vigil and patrol the railway tracks and key areas under the railways’ jurisdiction. These directions have been issued after a video of National Flag being burnt on tracks in Manawala near Amritsar came to fore recently. Pannun had threatened to take off National Flags installed at railway stations and Government offices and hoist Khalistani flags. “Jalandhar, Amritsar and Ludhiana are the most vulnerable places as National Flags are installed here and moreover these are among the busiest railway stations in Punjab,” said a senior Police officer, privy to the development. According to Police officials, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has also threatened to kidnap prominent politicians and Police officers of the State | |||||||||
| 03-Aug-2022 | The Sikhs For Justice (SFJ)’s general counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in an email send to media houses, said that “Shimla will be the capital of independent Punjab and Sikh sovereigntists will raise Khalistani flags there”. He also urged the people of Himachal to refrain from raising the tricolour on August 15. “The issue is between Sikhs and India and since Modi government is determined to use violence, people of Himachal should stay out of this conflict,” Pannun said. He said that the SFJ had released the map of areas earmarked for secession from India through the Khalistan Referendum on July 26, 2022, and Shimla was declared as the future capital of Sikh homeland Khalistan. SFJ’s map encompasses the areas of pre-1966 Punjab, which include Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Sikh majority areas of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, he added. | |||||||||
| 29-Jul-2022 | The Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) announced to begin the Canadian Phase of ‘Khalistan Referendum’ on September 18 from Toronto, Ontario in which Canadian Sikhs will vote on the question “Should Indian Governed Punjab Be An Independent Country”. Khalistan Referendum Voting Centre in Toronto, named after, ‘martyred’ Harjinder Singh Pahra, who was killed in an encounter in 1988, to honor the young pro-Khalistan Sikh who went back to India from Canada to participate in the then ongoing armed struggle for Khalistan in the wake of the Indian Army’s June 1984 attack on the Golden Temple. Terming September 18 voting as “Journey From Khalistan Rocket To Referendum”, the SFJ’s General Counsel, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, stated that the “ballot is the most potent weapon of this century through which we will balkanize India and liberate Punjab” | |||||||||
| 19-Jul-2022 | Punjab Police, arrested two persons, Harwinder Singh alias Prince and Prem Singh alias Prem in connection with the proscribed Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), four days after a pro-Khalistan poster was found pasted on the wall of the Kali Mata temple in Patiala District of Punjab. Police have also recovered 13 posters of the SFJ, two mobile phones and a bike used for committing the offence. | |||||||||
| 16-Jul-2022 | Haryana Police, on July 16, registered a case of sedition among other charges against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the pro-Khalistan organisation Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), and his accomplices for damaging the railway track dedicated to supply coal to the thermal power plant in Khedar village of Hisar District of Haryana. Police said unknown persons removed pandrol clips at around 60 points on the railway line about 400 yards from the Rajiv Gandhi Thermal Power Plant in Khedar, which is meant to supply coal to the power plant and is connected to the Hisar railway track. A video clip surfaced on social media in which Pannun is seen claiming the responsibility for damage to the railway track. The speaker, in the video, said this was the beginning of their designs to block the coal supply to many thermal power plants in the country. He claimed his aides had removed the clips of the railway line to stop the coal supply. The 2.40-minute video also has visuals of two persons removing the clips of the railway line. | |||||||||
| 03-Jul-2022 | According to reports, Sikh for Justice (SFJ), which has been demanding Khalistan, held a vote for the Khalistan ‘referendum’ in Rome, the capital of Italy. According to reports, more than 17,000 Sikhs took part in it, and on the same occasion, SFJ also announced the Khalistan plebiscite in Indian Punjab on January 26, 2023, on the occasion of India's 74th Republic Day. SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said in a statement that the polling in Rome coincided with the 38th anniversary of Operation Blue Star. Raising questions on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pannun said that Narendra Modi has given a clear message to the government that the will of Sikhs cannot be broken by repression. Pannun said that the Indian Government has made every effort at every level to stop the Khalistan plebiscite, but it could not happen. | |||||||||
| 20-Jun-2022 | Chandigarh Police booked Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), for trying to spread hatred and enmity among communities and conspiring to disturb the peace of Punjab State. According to reports, Pannun has been booked under sections 153 A, 153 B, 120 B, section 13, 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and section 3 of the Punjab Prevention of Defacement to Public Property Act. | |||||||||
| 07-Jun-2022 | Exposing the links between Pakistan and Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), a video emerged of the terror outfit's general counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun holding a virtual press conference in Lahore. This development comes two days after the anniversary of Operation Blue Star. In the video, Pannun thanked Pakistani media for giving him a platform to talk about Khalistan Referendum. "The referendum seeks to liberate Punjab from India. On June 6, 1984, the Indira Gandhi government attacked Darbar Sahib and killed Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his followers," he said. | |||||||||
| 03-Jun-2022 | Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of Sikh for Justice (SFJ), threatened Haryana Chief Minister (CM) Manohar Lal Khattar and Home Minister Anil Vij. In a threat to the Government Railway Police (GRP), Pannun said that on June 3, no train would be run in Haryana, otherwise the Haryana Government would be responsible for any accident. | |||||||||
| 03-Jun-2022 | Pro-Khalistan posters have been spotted at a flyover in Mansa District of Punjab on June 3. The posters have surfaced ahead of the anniversary of Operation Blue Star on June 6. The posters spotted at the flyover mention the banned Pro-Khalistan group, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). | |||||||||
| 01-Jun-2022 | In the wake of 38th anniversary week of Sikh for Justice (SFJ)’s rail roko call on June 3 in Punjab and Haryana, Government Railway Police (GRP) Superintendent of Police (SP), operations, Amandeep Kaur, on June 1, directed GRP deputy superintendents and Station House Officers (SHOs) across Punjab to patrol the Government buildings from the Khalistani supporters. | |||||||||
| 31-May-2022 | Indian World Forum President Puneet Singh Chandhok filed a criminal complaint with Delhi Police against Sikh for Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for "instigating violence, planning to disturb the communal harmony and national security” and sought action in coordination with Interpol. | |||||||||
| 31-May-2022 | In a letter to Jathedar Akal Takht Giani Harpreet Singh, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Prof. Sarchand Singh Khiala said that the actions of Pannun, a degenerate Sikh and Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) leader who had been disrespecting the case on a daily basis, were a violation of the code of conduct. Needs to be tamed. He said that even in today's gloomy situation, Pannun's statement on Sidhu Musewala's death while engaging in disgusting politics has come to light which has created fear in the minds of the people. | |||||||||
| 29-May-2022 | Hours after the murder of Punjabi singer and Congress leader Sidhu Moosewala, Canada-based banned separatist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has issued a threat letter, in which in a threat aimed at Punjabi singers, urged them to support the Khalistan movement. The SFJ threat came after the Directorate General of Police (DGP) of Punjab Viresh Kumar Bhawra acknowledged that the murder of Moosewala was a result of inter-gang rivalry. Following the killing of Sidhu Moosewala, Pannun, in a threat letter directed to Punjabi singers, stated that “death is imminent” and now is the time to support the “Khalistan Referendum” for the liberation of Punjab from India.” | |||||||||
| 26-May-2022 | After pro-Pakistan separatist leader Yasin Malik was sentenced to life imprisonment in a terror funding case on May 25, Khalistan terror outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) issued fresh provocation, calling on terrorists in the Valley to block the upcoming Amarnath Yatra. In a video released on May 26, SFJ founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun came out in defense of Yasin Malik, who was sentenced to life-time imprisonment for terror funding and secessionist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. Pannun said that "funding separatism is not terrorism" and accused the Indian government of committing crimes against the minority community. "This is my call to Kashmir freedom fighters, come out in support of Yasin Malik and block Amarnath Yatra. This will highlight the Kashmir Independent movement internationally. We (SFJ) will support your blocking of Amarnath Yatra," Pannun is heard saying in the provocative video. | |||||||||
| 19-May-2022 | Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of Sikh for Justice (SFJ) again threatened the advocates of Himachal Pradesh and has sent a threatening letter and voice message by e-mail to advocate in Jubbal and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Mandal President Umesh Sharma. In his audio threat, Pannun was heard saying, "This message is for Himachal advocates. You have failed in your legal duty. You have failed your oath, advocates. Now you will face Sikhs for Justice. We will hold you accountable. We are going to make a list of advocates from Himachal. CM Thakur [Jai Ram Thakur], no Jail in Himachal can hold pro-Khalistan Sikhs forever," adds republicworld.com. Umesh has given a complaint about the matter to Monika Bhatungru, Superintendent of Police (SP), Shimla. Threatening e-mails and voice messages have also been sent to the advocates of District Court Una. He has supported the accused who wrote slogans of Khalistan at the gate of Assembly Dharamshala. | |||||||||
| 16-May-2022 | Ahead of 38th anniversary of Operation Blue Star, pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) issued a “tourist alert” advising people against visiting Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Himachal Pradesh (HP) on May 16. The group said that the chief ministers of three States had initiated a conflict with pro-Khalistan Sikhs by filing false terror charges which could escalate to a law and order crisis in Uttar Pradesh (UP), Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. “During heydays of Khalistan movement in 1990s Indian agencies, using “black cats” frequently orchestrated massacres of Hindus to malign and crush the popular Sikhs’ demand for right to self-determination,” SFJ’s Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said in a mail sent to media houses. Alleging double standards in celebrating Bhagat Singh as a hero for bombing Delhi assembly while labelling Sikhs as terrorists, Pannun said: “We believe in ballot not bomb and will announce Khalistan Referendum Voting Date in Punjab on June 6 from Sri Akal Takht Sahib”. He said the areas earmarked for secession from India through Khalistan Referendum, include Haryana, HP and Sikh populated areas of UP | |||||||||
| 12-May-2022 | Pro Khalistan banned terror group Sikh for Justice (SFJ) on May 12 issued a fresh threat to the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Jairam Thakur and Director General of Police (DGP), Sanjay Kundu. The legal counsel of SFJ, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in an audio message announced a reward of around INR 2 million to anyone providing information about the CM and the DGP's foreign visits. Prompting that the 'war is on', Pannu reminded the CM to not take action against activists who raised ‘Khalistan flags’ at the State Assembly building in Dharamshala. "The SFJ had asked you not to take any action against the activists who hoisted Khalistan flag at Vidhan Sabha. Now the war is on. SFJ will give USD 25,000 for providing information of foreign visits of CM Thakur and DGP Kundu, or any other minister of Himachal or their family members," the SFJ counsel said. "We will hold you and your family accountable under the Foreign Human Rights Violation Act," Pannu added. Notably, in an earlier message, SFJ had claimed responsibility for raising ‘Khalistan flags’ at the State Assembly building in Dharamshala and warned Himachal CM Jairam Thakur to 'learn something from the Mohali attack, it could have been Shimla too.' Responding to SFJ's threat, DGP Kundu informed that the police had already sought Interpol's assistance in issuing a red corner notice against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. "We will not be cowed down by these threats. We are doing our job. The police have already sought assistance from the Interpol to get a red cornered notice against him," he said. | |||||||||
| 10-May-2022 | The banned outfit, Sikh for Justice (SFJ) claimed responsibility for the Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) attack at Punjab Police's Intelligence wing in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar District of Punjab on May 9. In a suspected audio message to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister (CM), Jai Ram Thakur, SFJ's Gurpatwant Singh Pannun issued a warning. The voice message transcripts, "Lesson for Himachal chief minister - learn from grenade attack at Mohali police headquarters - attack could have been at Shimla headquarters. CM Thakur SFJ advise - we raised flag at Dharamshala HQ, do not provoke the Sikh community. SFJ is going to announce Khalistan referendum 20-20 on June 6 in Himachal on day of voting. Do not provoke Sikh community and start violence because violence begets violence, CM Thakur. Message is from Gurpatwant Singh Pannu SFJ General Counsel." The Punjab Police are verifying the authenticity of the voice message. A probe is already ongoing and 20 suspects have been arrested in the RPG attack at Punjab Police's Intelligence wing case. Police are also planning to issue a red corner notice for Pannun | |||||||||
| 08-May-2022 | The chief of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has been named as the main accused in connection with the appearance of 'Khalistan' banners and graffiti on the walls of Himachal Pradesh Assembly in Dharamshala on May 8. Pannun has been charged under the stringent anti-terror law Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Himachal Police have stepped up security in the State after SFJ gave a call for holding a 'Khalistan' referendum on June 6. Inter-state borders have been sealed and security stepped at key Government buildings. "Keeping in view the incidents of Khalistani elements in neighboring States and also incident of tying a Khalistani banner took place in Una district on 11.04.2022 and recent incident of hoisting banners & graffiti of Khalistan on the outer boundary of Vidhan Sabha in Dharamshala as well as the threat posed by Sikhs for Justice (SJF) regarding announcement of 6th June, 2022 as voting date for Khalistan Referendum in Himachal Pradesh, the DGP-HP has issued directions to the field formations to remain on high alert from today," an order issued by State Police Chief Sanjay Kundu said | |||||||||
| 05-May-2022 | According to reports, after a major Pakistan-Khalistan terror plot was thwarted in Karnal on May 5, with the arrest of four terror suspects, the banned pro-Khalistan outfit, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has warned Haryana Chief Minister (CM) Manohar Lal Khattar against branding the arrested accused as Pakistan terror suspects. SFJ issued a warning against CM Khattar and Home Minister Anil Vij against labelling Khalistan activists as an “ISI backed-terrorist”. The group has also claimed to provide legal aid to the arrested terrorists. The SFJ has now issued an open warning against Haryana CM over branding the arrested accused in Karnal as Pakistan terror suspects. In a video message released by SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, under its “Haryana BanayGa Khalistan” campaign, the group issued a warning to the Haryana CM against the Pak-Khalistan terror nexus. SFJ also informed that it will provide legal aid to the four terror suspects arrested in Karnal. | |||||||||
| 02-May-2022 | The Khalistani terrorist outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) warned Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann and Director General Police (DGP) Viresh Bhawra against taking action against the Khalistan supporters who are accused in the April 29 Patiala violence case. In a video, SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun was heard inciting communal tensions by claiming that Sikhs gave a fitting response to the "Hindu extremists" in Patiala. He also cautioned Mann and Bhawra against following a policy pursued by the late CM Beant Singh failing which they will have to face consequences. Beant Singh was assassinated in a bomb blast on August 31, 1995. In the video, Pannun also asked the police to not disrespect family members of the Sikhs named in connection with the Patiala clash. Moreover, he warned that the children of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and police officials studying in Australia, the UK, Canada and the US will be forced by SFJ to return back home if the children of the accused are harassed. | |||||||||
| 01-May-2022 | The Indian World Forum raised concern over the US State provocation of pro-Khalistani groups. The forum stated that the resolution passed by the US State of Connecticut influences and promotes Khalistan and thereby challenging the sovereignty of India. The Indian World Forum President, Puneet Singh Chandhok condemned the resolution and said, "The Sikhs living in India are the law-abiding citizens who even have any differences or grievances with the government still remain within the system and seek their demands within the judicial system. Unfortunately, Anti-India elements sitting outside the country and working at the behest of different countries and security agencies have been again and again trying to sabotage and disturb the communal harmony in the state of Punjab in particular". "With such resolution being passed by the state of Connecticut in the US, it will be clearly influencing a separatist ideology that Sikhs of India don't advocate. There were certain differences during the 1984 riots, certain resolutions were passed. Sikhs always thrive for a progressive and prosperous India and never strive to disrupt the peace of any country. It's shocking to know that the state of Connecticut's general assembly has passed an official citation and the Mayor has tendered his resignation. Such activities clearly instigate a separatist ideology that we don't advocate. I was brutally attacked on August 25, 2018, by the Khalistan agents working at the behest of ISI Pakistan and by the activists of Sikhs for justice. To date, I have not received justice from the US authorities instead they are more interested in passing such a kind of resolution which indirectly promotes Khalistani ideologies," said Indian World Forum President. | |||||||||
| 29-Apr-2022 | Khalistani elements hoisted a Khalistani flag outside Deputy Commissioner (DC) office in Malerkotla in Malerkotla district in the wee hours of April 29. A video surfaced on social media platforms in which Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) took the responsibility for the incident. He said in the video, “On the occasion of Khalistan Day, Singhs hoisted Khalistni flag on Deputy Commissioner’s office in Malerkotla. This is a message to Bhagwant Mann’s government. The date of the Khalistan Referendum to free Punjab from India is closing down in Punjab. Prepare yourself to go on the other side of Yamuna.” Later, the flag was removed by the police from the office. While the police officials are sticking to the version that was done by miscreants to create law and order problems in the region, the security agencies are not taking the issue lightly and investigating the matter to avoid such incidents in the future. | |||||||||
| 29-Apr-2022 | According to reports, a Khalistani banner was pasted outside the Superintendent of Police’s (SP) residence in Kurukshetra and outside Police Line in Kurukshetra, in Kurukshetra district of Haryana. In a video message, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ)’s chief Pannun said, “Today, the movement of ‘Haryana Banega Khalistan’ has been started across the world. Haryana and Himachal were parts of Punjab till 1966. A website has been launched for the movement. We will not give up an inch of Punjab’s land.” The video also used a photograph of Khalistan supporter and actor Deep Sidhu, who had died in a road accident a few months ago. Later, the Police confiscated the banner and initiated an investigation. | |||||||||
| 06-Apr-2022 | Delhi Police found in its probe that a United States (US)-based telecom service provider was used by Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, to make pre-recorded threat calls to several Supreme Court (SC) lawyers on the day the apex court was to hear the case related to the security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Punjab on January 5. According to reports, Police are now procuring more details under a mutual legal assistance treaty (MLAT) with the US. A senior police officer said that “during investigation, we initially found that calls were made using a US-based telecom service firm. We then approached them and they provided details of an account holder, who had booked the account to make all these calls. All the documents belonged to Pannun, but the account holder’s name was not Pannun.” Later, after multiple communications with the service provider, the police were told that the account holder had changed his name to Pannun. It was found that the firm intimated the account holder about the probe following which he changed his name. “After establishing Pannu’s role, the police are now procuring more details under MLAT and communicating with the concerned agency for further help,” an officer said. | |||||||||
| 02-Mar-2022 | Pro-Khalistani outfit, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) announced its support for Ukraine and urged Khalistanis to raise an army of ‘foreign fighters to defend Ukraine. SFJ released a video message and a letter supporting Ukraine. In the letter, SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun urged the Ukrainian President to raise a Sikh Regiment as part of the international legion of foreign fighters. Pannun said in the letter that, unlike India, is supporting Russia in the conflict by abstaining from voting at UNSC, Khalistani Sikhs were ready to “defend Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”. He further claimed that this was the right time for Sikhs to “liberate Punjab” by siding with the “anti-India block at international level”. | |||||||||
| 22-Feb-2022 | The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting took down several mobile applications, social media accounts and websites of foreign-based news outlet Punjab Politics TV for having links with proscribed organization, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), after reviewing “intelligence inputs that the channel was attempting to use online media to disturb public order during the ongoing state assembly elections”. The I&B Ministry’s statement said that, “The ministry of information and broadcasting has ordered blocking of apps, website, and social media accounts of foreign-based Punjab Politics TV for having close links with Sikhs For Justice, an organisation that has been declared unlawful under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA).” It added that the contents of the blocked apps, website, and social media accounts had the “potential to incite communal disharmony and separatism”. “[They] were found to be detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the state, and public order. It was also observed that the launch of new apps and social media accounts was timed to gain traction during the ongoing elections,” it said. | |||||||||
| 19-Feb-2022 | Just hours before the Punjab Polls the Khalistani secessionist organization, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) made some revelations regarding the Punjab Assembly Elections that are due for February 20. SFJ claimed that around 20 thousand Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in Punjab who are on election duty are in constant contact with the SFJ and they will also be conducting polling on the Khalistan referendum. "Thousands of BLOs have assured their support to SFJ ion Campaigning for Khalistan on 20th February and also pledged to organise the Khalistan referendum voting in Punjab," said Gurupatwant Singh Pannun, in a video message. Pannun also launched an attack on Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu asking if he is a "terrorist" or an "ISI" agent citing his contacts with Pakistan PM Imran Khan and General Bajwa. | |||||||||
| 19-Feb-2022 | The intelligence agencies issued a nationwide security alert after pro-Khalistan outfit, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) call for a bandh. As Punjab is set to go for polling on February 20 Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who is the founder of SFJ, issued a video and called for a ‘Rail-Punjab Bandh’ on February 19. In the video, Pannun has also asked his followers to install "Kesri Khalistan" flags at polling stations in Punjab and shout slogans of "Khalistan Zindabad" on the day of the election. | |||||||||
| 18-Feb-2022 | Intelligence agencies have sounded a nationwide alert after Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun released a video on Facebook where he issued a call for 'Rail-Punjab Bandh' on February 19. Voting for Punjab's 117-member assembly is set to take place in a single phase on February 20. Pannun has also asked his followers to install "Kesri Khalistan" flags at polling stations in Punjab and shout slogans of "Khalistan Zindabad" on the day of the election. In the video, Pannun also termed the recent death of Punjabi actor Deep Sidhu as a "political murder". Blaming the Government of India for his death, he also asked his followers to avenge the actor-turned-activist's death. Pannun also said that Deep Sidhu was a "true follower" of Jarnail Singh Bhrindanwale and always supported the demand for a separate Khalistan. | |||||||||
| 17-Feb-2022 | Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), alleged that the top leaders of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had fudged the letter “of him supporting AAP” to garner support of radicals. This comes after the letter was circulated on social media which read that Pannun has announced that he will be supporting the Aam Aadmi Party as Punjab goes to polls on February 20. | |||||||||
| 13-Feb-2022 | Issuing a warning to concerned judges of the Karnataka High Court (HC) that have prescribed a student dress code, the chief of the banned extremist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) threatened that it would start a 'hijab referendum' similar to the 'Khalistan referendum'. In the audio message, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said, "This message is for Karnataka High Court judges... do not ban the hijab. this message is from Sikhs For Justice general counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, from Washington DC." After Pannun warned against bad consequences, the pro-Khalistan terror group referred to the reaction of Rashad Hussain, US Ambassador of Advance Religious Freedom worldwide. Referring to Hussain's tweet, the SFJ chief said, "The Biden administration has also condemned the ban on hijab." Further, he said, "Karnataka High Court judges, remember! Do not ban the hijab. It is against the freedom of the Muslim community. If you do ban hijab, like Khalistan referendum which we are doing to liberate Punjab. We will start the hijab referendum for Muslim states. Do not ban the hijab." | |||||||||
| 12-Feb-2022 | Intel inputs warned that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is trying to fuel the hijab controversy in India, through banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SJF). The Intel note said, "ISI is pushing the concept of hijab referendum in India." The Intelligence Bureau (IB) has also warned police forces and law enforcement agencies to keep a close watch on the 'Hijab Refrendum' being pushed by the ISI through terror group SFJ. "Some anti-India elements might join the chorus of Sikhs for Justice chief Gurupatwanr Singh Pannun in organising the hijab referendum and celebrating the concept of urduistan," the intel inputs warned. It also said that the SFJ has called upon Muslims in India to start a 'Hijab Refrendum' movement to carve out 'Urduistan' in areas of Rajasthan, Delhi, UP, Bihar and West Bengal. | |||||||||
| 11-Feb-2022 | Using the ongoing Hijab controversy as an opportunity, the banned pro-Khalistan outfit, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) provoked the Muslim community in India and appealed them to protest. SFJ, in its message, asked the people of India to ‘learn from Pakistan’ that created a Muslim country. SFJ led by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun asks Muslims in the country to use the row as an opportunity for the Balkanisation of India. Furthermore, the group has also stated that the group will fund the movement for Hijabs and fight for creating a separate country. The pro-Khalistan terror group has allegedly provoked the people of the Muslim community over Hijab row and said that the Modi government will ban Aazan and Quran after Hijabs. | |||||||||
| 09-Feb-2022 | According to reports, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has requested concerned agencies to issue a lookout circular and blue corner notice against Jaswinder Singh Multani, an alleged Khalistani operative linked to the recent bomb blast in a Ludhiana court and for attempts to “foment trouble” in poll-bound Punjab. NIA sources revealed that it has requested Interpol to issue a ‘blue corner’ notice against Multani, who is allegedly a close aide of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun wanted in multiple cases registered by central agencies and Punjab Police. Central agencies request Interpol to issue ‘blue corner’ notice to collect additional information about a person’s identity, location or activities with relation to a crime. Similarly, a Look Out Circular (LOC) will help NIA to track Multani’s movement in case he visits India through his passport. The agencies deployed at the airport will alert NIA and stop him from travelling further. The NIA has also announced Rs 10-lakh reward on the Germany-based Multani. | |||||||||
| 08-Feb-2022 | Pro-Khalistan outfit 'Sikhs For Justice' (SFJ) vandalized a life-sized statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Chicago and San Francisco in the United States (US). According to reports, this is the second such incident by the secessionist group SFJ in the past four days. The banned outfit also pasted posters with abusive language that can be read as “I am rapist & father of India: Rape Capital of world.” Earlier SFJ vandalised the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Union Square Park, New York. The 8-foot-high statue, located in Manhattan’s Union Square, was defaced by some unknown persons, the Consulate General of India said. “The Consulate condemns this act of vandalism in the strongest terms. The matter has been taken up with local authorities. The matter has also been taken up with the US State Department for immediate investigation and urged appropriate action against those responsible for this despicable act,” it said. | |||||||||
| 07-Feb-2022 | The pro-Khalistani outfit, Sikhs For Justice’s (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in his new video, called to block any of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s movement in Punjab ahead of the Assembly elections. In the threatening video, Pannun also states that the PM will be reminded of Indira Gandhi. The terror inciting video also calls to the people of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and claims that the ‘freeing of Punjab’ would pave the way for Kashmir’s freedom as well. | |||||||||
| 04-Feb-2022 | According to a report prepared by the Hudson Institute, Pakistan is reviving its previous tactics to spread hatred, disrupt communal harmony and promote extremism in India as Islamabad has been supporting jihadi activities against New Delhi to disrupt peace in the country. Pakistan's security apparatus has for decades supported jihadi and Khalistani groups that have targeted India, and a revival of this activity should be a source of concern to the American national security apparatus as well as India's, said the report. The Institute’s report further stated that Jaswinder Singh Multani, who was arrested in Germany for allegedly masterminding a blast at Ludhiana court in December 2021, is reportedly a leading member of the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) movement. The SFJ's public face, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has apparently confirmed this fact, revealing a close relationship with Multani. Over the years, Sikhs for Justice has written public letters to the prime minister of Pakistan and the presidents of Russia and China, seeking their support against India. The Hudson Institute report, Pakistan's Destabilization Playbook: Khalistan Separatism within the US, which was authored by a group, emphasizes the need for law enforcement in Western countries to be vigilant with respect to Pakistan-backed extremist groups. | |||||||||
| 29-Jan-2022 | The Chairman of the British Sikhs Association and the ruling Tory Party’s Lord Rami Ranger has called Sikh For Justice (SFJ)’s chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun a Pakistani agent for his campaign for the creation of an independent state for Sikhs called Khalistan. In a debate on the Republic TV, the millionaire British Indian businessman hit out at the SFJ and its main leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun who has already been declared a “terrorist” by the India state over his activism for the state of Khalistan. It is believed that SFJ will be taking legal actions over the serious allegations. | |||||||||
| 27-Jan-2022 | Several Supreme Court lawyers including senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani received a threat call from banned pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). In the audio call, SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun was heard making a preposterous claim that the Khalistani flag will be hoisted in the Supreme Court. Pannun said, "Mr Jethmalani, you will see that we shall be going to the top court of this country and we shall raise the flag at the Supreme Court." Supreme Court advocate NS Nappinai said, "This is a little worrisome. Because if you look at the way the legal fraternity has functioned, whatever kind of case they take up be it tough or regular, there has never been a legacy of the system or the community being threatened. And now, the frequency is increasing and we have had instances of lawyers being physically harmed. Some have lost their lives also. This is a very serious issue which definitely needs to be addressed by the court and the legal fraternity to understand where things are going wrong." | |||||||||
| 26-Jan-2022 | According to reports, Pro-Khalistanis installed the Khalistan flag on the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in front of the Indian Embassy in Washington and burnt a copy of the Indian constitution and Indian flag in London outside the Indian High Commission. Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun who led the burning of the Indian flag in Washington DC, sated that “This is Sikhs vs Hind war in which the SFJ is using the most potent weapon of the century – ballot – to liberate Punjab from Indian occupation.” | |||||||||
| 26-Jan-2022 | Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) operative, Jaswinder Singh Multani on whom National Investigation Agency (NIA) has recently announced INR 10 lakh bounty, raised the Khalistan flag in front of the Indian Embassy in Frankfurt, stating that he “will continue working for the secession of Punjab from India through Khalistan Referendum”. | |||||||||
| 26-Jan-2022 | According to sources, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) recorded a symbolic protest in the Indian High Commission Room by hanging posters. A large number of protesters were also gathered in the European Union capital Brussels. However, none of these protests was televised because of a ban by the Indian government. | |||||||||
| 25-Jan-2022 | According to a senior official in Delhi Police, with an aim to carry out terrorist attacks on Republic Day and derail elections in five states, Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has reactivated its Kashmir-Khalistan (K2) desk to bring pro-Khalistan and anti-India supporters in Kashmir at a common platform. Delhi Police on January 25 pasted posters with names and pictures of suspected terrorists belonging to the Al-Qaeda terror group and banned terrorist outfits of pro-Khalistan in central Delhi. A senior official said that the idea behind the K2 desk is to exploit sentiments in Punjab and Kashmir. Intelligence agencies said that around 350 terrorists are ready to infiltrate India. The videos released by pro-Khalistan outfit, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) push the part of the K2 plan and is backed by ISI. In a recent video released by SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh, he had shared the screen with a burqa-clad woman in the video. The woman, in her message, urged "Kashmiri Freedom Fighters" to leave the Valley and reach Delhi on January 26 to free Kashmir and Khalistan." The purported video of SFJ also featured a picture of terrorist Burhan Wani, who was killed in an encounter in Kashmir. Pannun claimed that the burqa-clad woman is a Muzaffarabad- (Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir) based woman "activist". | |||||||||
| 25-Jan-2022 | The founder of Dal Khalsa and UK-based Sikh separatist leader, Jaswant Singh Thekedar accused Pakistan of using Sikhs to fulfill its nefarious motives against India. Thekedar, who is a pro-Khalistan leader himself, said that Pakistan is least bothered about the welfare of Sikhs. In a TV interview, he said, “Pakistan has never been a sympathiser of Sikhs and will never be. They can never help Khalistanis. If Pakistan wanted to help Khalistanis, then why it did not give passports to those seeking political asylum. They don’t even have a residence permit. Pakistan is using Sikhs as props for the last 40 years to target India.” He also acknowledged the steps being taken by the BJP-led India government for the welfare of the Sikhs. He also slammed Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US-based member of banned pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), saying he does anything only at Pakistan’s direction. “Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is not even a Sikh, he parrots Pakistan's script. He makes statement only at the direction of Pakistan and just for money. He can never fight for Khalistan and never did in the past. His motive is to only make money and not Khalsa. He is only instigating the people of India. They get money for making statements against India and causing violence,” he added. | |||||||||
| 24-Jan-2022 | Several Supreme Court lawyers again received threat calls, allegedly from terrorist group Indian Mujahideen, over the removal of Article 370 that granted special rights to Kashmir. The callers threatened to hoist the flag of Kashmir in Delhi on Republic Day. The callers also referred to threats by the pro-Khalistan group, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and vowed to "take the fight to Delhi”. “We will take the fight to Delhi...The way Article 370 was removed is against the rights of the people of Kashmir, and the Supreme Court is just as responsible as the government...The fight for Freedom of Kashmir will take place in Delhi and the world will watch...Even the organisation 'Sikhs for Justice' which supports the idea of Khalistan is taking the fight to Delhi," transcript of the call recording said. | |||||||||
| 23-Jan-2022 | According to reports, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is in touch with its German counterparts for assistance in the probe against Jaswinder Singh Multani of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), who was booked along with his associates from other pro-Khalistani banned outfits on the charge of attempting to spread terror activities in Punjab. Having registered a case against Multani and others, the NIA has announced a reward of INR 10 lakh against him. His suspected role in the recent Ludhiana blast case is also being investigated on the basis of the inputs. An official said, “We are in touch with the German authorities in connection with the case against Multani and others. All necessary measures are being taken to ensure that those involved are brought to book.” | |||||||||
| 21-Jan-2022 | New Delhi has formally asked Canada for “ample deployment” of security at its missions in the country so there is no repeat of pro-Khalistan disruptions as last year. The Indian request was conveyed via a note verbale, an official diplomatic communique, issued by India’s High Commission to Ottawa to Canada’s foreign ministry, Global Affairs Canada. There have been open statements about disturbing Republic Day functions in Vancouver from the secessionist outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), while other hardline groups have planned a car rally to the consulate in Toronto and a demonstration in front of the High Commission in Ottawa. The Indian official said assurances had been received that Canadian law enforcement charged with diplomatic security will “enhance patrolling, deploy static and plainclothes personnel”. | |||||||||
| 20-Jan-2022 | The pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) released a video provoking the people of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) ahead of Republic Day. In the video message, SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and a veiled woman are seen parroting the Pakistan line by exhorting the people of the J&K to raise their voice for the "freedom" of J&K. Pannun exhorted Kashmiris to not only block Prime Minister Narendra Modi from hoisting the national flag on January 26 but also unfurl the Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) flag in Delhi. He said, "Now is the time people of Kashmir, you should reach Delhi. Block PM Modi from hoisting the tricolour. Just as the Sikh community will unfurl the Khalistani flags, you should unfurl the flag of Kashmir in Delhi. You are getting killed in fake encounters in Baramulla, Shopian, Anantnag every day and nobody knows in the world. When you reach Delhi on January 26, the entire world will watch that Kashmir and Sikhs wants freedom." | |||||||||
| 19-Jan-2022 | According to official sources, at least nine pro-Khalistan activities, including Jaswinder Singh Multani, the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) operative who was recently booked by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on the charge of attempting to revive terrorism in Punjab, have been operating from Germany for the past several years. Interpol Red Notices are pending against four of these suspects, Bhupinder Singh Bhinda, Gurmeet Singh Bagga and Shaminder Singh of the banned Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF); and against Harjot Singh of the proscribed Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). Bhinda, an associate of Pakistan-based KZF chief Ranjeet Singh Neeta, was sentenced by a Frankfurt court in December 2012 to jail for four years and seven months for conspiring to kill the Radha Soami Beas Dera head during his visit to Germany in July 2010. According to government records, Bagga is wanted in three cases of explosives smuggling from Pakistan to Punjab. He was also sentenced to a four years’ prison term by a German court for the assassination bid on the Dera chief in Vienna. He has been trying to get asylum in Germany. The official said that in 2019-20, Bagga, with Neeta’s help, had weapons smuggled into Punjab from across the border using Pakistan-controlled drones. It was also found that another key suspect named Shaminder Singh went to Germany in 2011. He is closely associated with Bagga and one Belgium-based Jagdish Singh. “He had motivated two individuals, Palwinder Singh and Sandeep Kumar, who were arrested along with a woman, Jaswinder Kaur. Arms and ammunitions were seized from them,” the official said. The list includes accused Multani, whose role is also being probed in the recent Ludhiana court blast case. In November 2021, another official said he had claimed that a grenade attack at Punjab’s crime investigation agency office in Nawanshahr was the handiwork of his team. The NIA has announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh on him in the latest case. | |||||||||
| 19-Jan-2022 | According to the Intelligence Bureau (IB)’s input, the banned Khalistani outfit Sikh for Justice (SFJ) is in the process of carrying out a terrorist attack on Republic Day. The outfit is likely to attack India Gate and Red Fort by placing explosives in a car. According to IB input, SFJ may repeat hoisting the religious flag at Red Fort like last year (2021). It also claimed that terrorists had brought explosives from Pakistan to India. | |||||||||
| 18-Jan-2022 | Banned pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), in a video message, threatened to run an international campaign on Republic Day. In the video message, SFJ's chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said Khalistan Referendum activists Jaswinder Singh Multani who was detained by German police after the recent Ludhiana court blast for allegedly furthering pro-Khalistan agenda but was later released, and Gurmit Singh Bagga would 'Raise Khalistan' and 'Block Tiranga' at the Indian embassy in Frankfurt, while Paramjeet Singh Pamma would do the same in London, UK, and Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Vancouver, Canada. Pannun also said, "Citing infamous Article 25(b) of the Indian Constitution, a global anti-India campaign #SikhsAreNot Hindus has been launched, emailing UK Prime Minister (Boris) Johnson, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Biden and Trudeau administrations urging them to support the first-ever Khalistan Referendum for secession of Punjab from India." SFJ has already announced an offer of 1 million dollars for the project 'Raise Kesri-Khalistan', and 'Block Modi-Tiranga' coinciding with India's Republic Day celebrations this year. Pannun had earlier released a video asking Sikhs to raise the 'kesri' flag in place of the Indian Tricolour. | |||||||||
| 17-Jan-2022 | The National Investigation Agency (NIA) declared a reward of INR 10 lakh on Germany-based Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) operative, Jaswinder Singh Multani, who has been booked along with his associates from other banned outfits like the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) and the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) for allegedly attempting to revive terrorism in Punjab. According to reports, the preliminary findings have also indicated the role of Multani in the recent Ludhiana court complex blast. The NIA has accused him of coordinating with Pakistan-based pro-Khalistani elements and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and conspiring to carry out terror attacks in Mumbai and other parts of the country. The NIA registered the case following a direction from the Central government to investigate the allegations against Multani. Along with Multani, the NIA has named Jagdish Singh Bhura of KZF, his deputy Gurmeet Singh, who is also associated with SFJ; Ranjeet Singh Pakhoke of KTF (Germany); Sukhdev Singh Heran and Hardeep Singh Nijjar of Babbar Khalsa International; and Paramjit Singh Pamma and Ranjeet Singh Neeta, both KTF members, in the case. Meanwhile, at the instance of the Indian agencies, the German police had last month detained and then released him after he submitted an affidavit promising to cooperate with the authorities concerned. | |||||||||
| 17-Jan-2022 | Supreme Court lawyers on January 17 received the 5th threat call from Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) since Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi's security breach. The call which was received by lawyers such as Apoorv Shukla and Maharashtra's former Chief Standing Counsel Nishant Katneshwarkar contained a pre-recorded message from SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. It threatened the lawyers for filing a complaint against Pannun for announcing a 1 million dollars reward to block PM Modi and raise the Khalistan flag instead of the tricolor in Delhi on Republic Day. Pannun reportedly warned of protests against apex court lawyers whenever they go abroad. Moreover, he maintained that SFJ will not allow retired SC judge Indu Malhotra to proceed with the inquiry into the PM's security breach. Maharashtra's former Chief Standing Counsel Nishant Katneshwarkar said, "I received this call from a UK number. It is from Mr. Pannu of SFJ. But today it is saying that the SFJ will identify the advocates. Because of the filing of the complaint, the advocates have put themselves in a dangerous position. And it further says that SFJ will not allow Justice Indu Malhotra to proceed with the inquiry committee and SFJ will block the Honourable Prime Minister on 26th of January." In the recorded call Pannun said, "You have filed complaint against SFJ and put yourself in a dangerous position. Now we will hold anti-Sikh, anti-Muslim advocates accountable. While we will block Modi on January 26 and raise Khalistan flags, we will not allow Indu Malhotra to investigate Modi terror plot. We are preparing a list of advocates who visit foreign nations and you will hear from us peacefully, democratically and loudly." | |||||||||
| 17-Jan-2022 | A Delhi-based lawyer, Vineet Jindal, on January 17 registered a complaint against Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) Chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun with the New York State Police's Commissioner, Keechant L Sewell. The complaint has been filed in connection with criminal assault, for attempting to wage a war among communities, the provocation for rioting, criminal conspiracy against the state of India, threat to the Prime Minister (PM) of India, and former Judges of the Supreme Court (SC) of India. The complaint stated that "Khalistani terror group 'Sikhs For Justice' has provoked masses to 'block' Prime Minister Narendra Modi and to remove the tricolor from the national capital on January 26, 2022, by offering a huge reward". It added that the SFJ's statements and acts are clearly meant to challenge the sovereignty and unity of India. It is an attempt to wage war amongst different communities and states. | |||||||||
| 17-Jan-2022 | According to sources, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has identified more than twelve individuals related to Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) leader Jaswinder Singh Multani. On December 27, he was detained in Germany at India’s request. According to the officials, Multani’s suspected contacts with a smuggling network sponsored by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) have also been exposed. According to claims, the allegations have spurred German authorities to launch an independent investigation into Multani’s and his accomplices’ behavior. Multani is accused by the NIA of gathering cash to provide weaponry and explosives through a smuggling network in Punjab. Officials further stated he was actively utilizing social media channels to spread SFJ’s beliefs. | |||||||||
| 14-Jan-2022 | A Supreme Court lawyer filed a complaint with Delhi police cyber cell against Sikh For Justice (SFJ) Chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The lawyer also filed FIR against Twitter and Facebook for providing a platform to publish objectionable video messages issued by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun who is seen threatening the Prime Minister of India and the sovereign integrity of the nation. | |||||||||
| 13-Jan-2022 | In a video, Sikh For Justice (SFJ)'s chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said that the group has written to Imran Khan to support the Khalistan Referendum. In this video, Pannun is openly reaching out to Khan and has urged the Pakistani government to "diplomatically intervene" to support the Khalistan Referendum. In addition, he said, "SFJ has written a letter to Imran Khan and the message is to the people of Pakistan. Fall of Dhaka is past and we're asking PM Imran Khan to diplomatically intervene and support the Khalistan referendum. It will lead to fall of Delhi. Indira Gandhi had supported the Bangladesh war and Bangladesh was lost. It’s time for a payback in the same way. Khalistan Referendum will liberate Punjab from the Indian occupation." "Now is the time that India should be balkanized into small parts. You are raising the issue of Kashmir and its time to support Khalistan Referendum and Sikhs. Join hands with us and we're seeking diplomatic intervention," Pannun goes on to say in the video. | |||||||||
| 12-Jan-2022 | After several Supreme Court lawyers complained that they received calls from pro-Khalistani forces claiming responsibility for the blockade of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's convoy in Punjab's Ferozepur, similar calls were received by the Times Now headquarters in Noida. Rahul Shivshankar, Editor-in-Chief, Times Now, sad, "We are getting these calls from both - Canada and the UK. We know who these people are. We will be contacting the Canadian High Commission and the British High Commission and taking up the matter with the government." | |||||||||
| 12-Jan-2022 | In a new propagandist video shared by Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on Facebook, the banned Khalistani outfit has announced 1 Million dollars as a 'reward' to anyone who would raise Khalistani flags instead of the Indian tricolour in Delhi on January 26 Republic Day. "This is the matter of Sikhs and Hind. This time the tricolour will not be allowed anywhere in Delhi. The campaign to liberate Punjab from Indian occupation through 'Khalistani Referendum' will continue equal to 2022 Vidhan Sabha elections," Pannun was heard saying in the video. He also appeared to burn Indian flags in the video. A similar attempt to instigate the Sikhs in India was made in 2021 when the SFJ had announced a cash reward of 2,50,000 dollars for hoisting the Khalistan flag at the India Gate on Republic Day. It also hijacked the farmers' protest, asking them to indulge in anti-national activities on the national holiday. | |||||||||
| 12-Jan-2022 | India and Canada have decided to take their bilateral relationship to the next level with plans to enhance security, defence and trade ties under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s third term. India’s High Commissioner to Canada Ajay Bisaria said the countries are undertaking “fresh initiatives” in order to have “greater coordination” in a changing geopolitical environment. However, according to sources, with Ottawa not recognising the so-called ‘Punjab 2020 Referendum’, promoted by pro-Khalistan group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), a banned outfit in India, the bilateral relationship between both countries is poised for a reset of sorts. In November 2021, a three-member team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had visited Canada to investigate the funding routes of the SFJ and other pro-Khalistan groups. While the NIA has urged the Canadian government to declare SFJ as a terrorist entity, it has also agreed to share “actionable intelligence” with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the source said. The source also said both the NIA and Canada’s National Security Information Network (a wing of the RCMP that deals with national security and terrorism) have decided to get a regular dialogue mechanism going against the pro-Khalistan groups present in that country. | |||||||||
| 12-Jan-2022 | According to reports, the Pakistani media is now openly backing the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). An article in Radio Pakistan, published on January 12, has claimed that "India has launched a massive propaganda to malign the Sikhs for Justice". It further states that India is trying to get the SFJ banned in the United States. It added that India has also arrested Jaswinder Singh Multani, a member of the SFJ for his involvement in the recent Ludhiana court blast. The editorial claims that the United States administration has refused to accept India's attempts "of labeling the Khalistan movement as terrorism". Moreover, it also claims that other countries like United Kingdom, United States and Canada continued to allow SFJ and its referendum activities as an "expression of political opinion under the freedom of expression". | |||||||||
| 11-Jan-2022 | According to report, Information security analysts have found proof that Pakistan’s sleeper cells are attempting to create a sense of disharmony in India by using forged proxies and internet "sleeper cells". The report also showed how Pakistan used social media applications to pursue its agenda of fake propaganda in India. The report, which analysed social media trends between October and November (2021), showed how more than 11,000 posts were generated in an attempt to propagate fake news about the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, radicalise youth, and further exacerbate discord by exploiting year-long farmers’ protest. The report showed how several hundred Twitter accounts would appear on the same day, tweet, and then cease to exist during farmers’ protests. The same strategy was used this time, when over 900 accounts emerged, tweeted anti-India propaganda, attempted to radicalise the youth, and were then either deleted or left inactive. According to information security firm Innefu co-founders Abhishek Sharma and Tarun Vig, the Pakistani handles were captured to identify Pakistan's involvement, confirming the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agenda to resurrect the Khalistan movement against India's sovereignty. Sharma also said, “The online agenda was used to further the stance of Sikh For Justice (SFJ), which made overt attempts to influence youth by offering $125,000 for raising Khalistan flags in Parliament on November 26/29.” | |||||||||
| 10-Jan-2022 | According to reports, some Supreme Court (SC) lawyers received an anonymous, pre-recorded call from a group claiming responsibility for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s security breach at Punjab and warning of dire consequences should the apex court take up the case. The call was received some of the lawyers in the morning, at around 10.40 am, the same time when the court was hearing a public interest litigation on the matter, and decided to set up a committee to look into the breach. After several lawyers complained of receiving the call, the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) wrote to Supreme Court Secretary-General Virender Kumar Bansal seeking appropriate action. The SCAORA in its letter said, “Several members of SCAORA received an anonymous, automated pre-recorded call from number +447418365564, once at approximately 10.40 am and another call at 12.36 pm on January 10 fastening responsibility for Prime Minister Modi’s security breach during his visit to Punjab on January 5 on Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) from US, wherein it was stated that SFJ is responsible for blocking PM Modi’s cavalcade at Hussainwala flyover in Punjab.” The letter went on to state that “the caller further warned the Supreme Court judges to refrain from hearing the PIL filed by NGO Lawyers Voice seeking probe into the security breach on the ground that the SC has not been able to punish the culprits of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.” One of the lawyers addressed a complaint to the Delhi Police Commissioner of Police to initiate a probe against the person behind the calls and referred a copy of the complaint to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) as well. | |||||||||
| 08-Jan-2022 | According to sources, a National Investigation Agency (NIA) team will soon leave for Germany to investigate a case against Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) member Jaswinder Singh Multani, who is allegedly planning attacks in Mumbai and other parts of India with the support of operatives from Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and his Punjab-based associates. The NIA had last month registered a case under criminal conspiracy charges and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, against Multani and other operatives of the SFJ for “conspiring to carry out terror attacks in India and revive militancy in Punjab”. However, the NIA made it clear that this case has no connection with the blast at Ludhiana’s district and sessions court complex that took place on 23 December 2021. The source said, “Multani is in contact with “ISI operative Jibran as well as a Pakistan-based smuggling network involving history-sheeters Rana Taseem, Imran and others, and is actively pursuing a conspiracy to carry out attacks in Mumbai and other parts of India, with support of his Punjab-based associates”. “Multani’s associates include Jagdish Singh Bhura of the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), deputy chief of KZF Gurmeet Singh, who is also associated with SFJ, Ranjeet Singh Pakhoke of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), Sukhdev Singh Heran and Hardeep Singh Nijjar of Babbar Khalsa International, and KTF members Paramjit Singh Pamma and Ranjeet Singh Neeta,” the source added. However, Multani has denied his involvement in terrorism conspiracies. | |||||||||
| 05-Jan-2022 | According to the top sources in the intelligence establishment, days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Firozpur in Punjab, pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) had called upon the people to protest his visit. In a video released by the outfit's chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, he was seen aggressively calling upon the people of Punjab to hold, what it called "Show da Shoe" protest on January 5. | |||||||||
| 05-Jan-2022 | Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on January 5, termed the 'blocking PM Modi's cavalcade' in Ferozepur as a start for 'Khalistan freedom'. Issuing a video message, Pannun, claimed that Sikhs had chased Modi out of Punjab and that the upcoming polls will decide the Khalistan referendum. Pannun said, "Listen Modi govt, the campaign for Khalistan referendum has begun in Punjab on 5th January, as those bearing the tricolour had to go back to Delhi. People with orange flags chased Modi bare-footed out of Punjab, and Punjab has decided to be free today". Pannun added, "Indira Gandhi came to Punjab with weapons, she was answered with weapons. You are spreading panic in Punjab, but we answer the same with votes peacefully - by holding Khalistan referendum, by votes. Punjab has decided that along with the assembly elections, the Khalistan referendum will be held. May it be any party - Congress-Channi, Navjot Sidhu, BJP, AAP, whoever stands against saffron, will face the khanda (the Sikh weapon of war)". Earlier, PM Modi, who was scheduled to inaugurate projects worth Rs 42,750 crores and address a joint BJP-PLC-SAD (D) rally in Ferozepur, returned to Delhi after a brief security breach. | |||||||||
| 02-Jan-2022 | The National Investigation Agency (NIA) confirmed on January 2 that the FIR against Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) activist Jaswinder Singh alias Multani has no connection with the Ludhiana bomb blast case. An NIA official said the NIA team has returned and Punjab Police is continuing its probe in the blast case. The NIA had lodged an FIR against Multani, a few days after the blast in Ludhiana's district courts complex. There was speculation that the main accused of the bomb blast, Gagandeep Singh (a dismissed cop), was in touch with Multani. The NIA official said, "The FIR has been lodged against SFJ activist Jaswinder Singh Multani under different sections of IPC and Unlawful Activity (Prevention) Act (UAPA). But, the FIR has no connection with the Ludhiana bomb blast. The Punjab police are probing the Ludhiana blast case and not the NIA." | |||||||||
| 01-Jan-2022 | According to reports, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will probe the suspected involvement of Germany-based Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) operative Jaswinder Singh Multani in the use of drones for the smuggling of arms, ammunition, explosives and drugs into the Indian territory by Pakistan-based syndicates. Based on inputs related to his alleged role in attempts to revive terrorism in Punjab, NIA has registered a case against him and his associates. Following an alert from Indian agencies, the police in Germany detained him a few days ago. “Multani was released after he submitted an affidavit that he would cooperate with the authorities concerned,” said an official. The official said that, “We have evidence indicating that Multani has been in touch with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). He also has links with smuggling syndicates in Pakistan and on the Indian side in Punjab. Through social media platforms and encrypted chat messengers, he radicalizes gullible young men from Punjab and motivates them to indulge in such illegal activities.” | |||||||||
| 31-Dec-2021 | According to Pakistani newspapers, the British Sikh community held voting on the Khalistan Referendum at four locations, with thousands of people, including a 95-year-old Sikh woman, turning out to vote in the non-binding referendum on December 31. Gurdwaras Singh Sabha in Hounslow, Gurdwaras Singh Sabha in Slough, Guru Nanak Gurdwaras in Wednesfield, and Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Smethwick held Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) sponsored voting on December 31, 2021. | |||||||||
| 30-Dec-2021 | The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered a case against banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) radical Jaswinder Singh Multani for his involvement in the December 23 Ludhiana court blast, and others for hatching a conspiracy to target Indian cities. Multani was picked up by Federal Police from Erfurt in central Germany after India government requested German authorities to arrest the pro-Khalistan radical who has links to Pakistan, and has been involved in smuggling of arms and ammunition from across the border into Punjab. According to NIA’s first information report (FIR) filed on December 30, the 45-year-old has been booked under sections related to criminal conspiracy and waging war against India, among others, of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Earlier on December 23, one person was killed and six others were injured after a bomb went off in the district court’s complex in Ludhiana, triggering a high alert in the state. Police said the deceased was the alleged bomber and dismissed head constable Gagandeep Singh. Preliminary probe revealed that 1.5 kg of explosives were assembled in a plastic container to carry out the blast in the court premises. | |||||||||
| 30-Dec-2021 | A high alert has been sounded in Mumbai after intelligence agencies received inputs regarding terror activities planned by pro-Khalistan groups. A senior officer said that after Jaswinder Singh Multani, a member of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) who was allegedly linked to Ludhiana court blast, was detained and questioned in Germany, they have received inputs regarding planned terror activities in Mumbai and other big cities. The officer said, "We have received inputs that apart from SFJ, other banned pro-Khalistan groups are in contact with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to execute terror activity in Mumbai, Delhi and other cities." | |||||||||
| 06-Nov-2021 | The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has formally requested the Canadian Government to declare Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) as a "terrorist entity" in the country. The SFJ was banned by the Government of India in July 2019 under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for its involvement in promoting secession and violent extremism in Punjab. Top officials of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) have confirmed the visit of NIA officers to Canada, and a senior officer said," A formal request to this effect has been made. A two-member NIA team led by an IG rank officer had begun their visit beginning November 4." Sources said the purpose of the visit was to press Canadian authorities for faster execution of requests made under the mutual legal assistance treaty (MLAT). “The visit is for better coordination of investigation against entities and individuals suspected of terrorism and to discuss other criminal matters," a release issued by the Indian High Commission in Ottawa had said. | |||||||||
| 31-Oct-2021 | According to reports, the Khalistan referendum, which was held in London on October 31, turned out to be a damp squib. According to UK watchers, the claims of high turnout in the voting to decide whether Khalistan should be carved out of Punjab is being projected by Pakistani media. A majority of the voters were backed by Pakistan, the sources said, adding that the total number was less than 2,000. The Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), which organised the referendum, failed to get even 100-150 voters in the first half and various outfits associated with the Khalistan movement - like Federation of Sikh organization (FSO) and World Sikh Parliament (WSP) - pressed their workers to come and vote, said UK watchers. The organisers had pressed into service buses to ferry people from different parts of the UK, but even they could not bring a large number of people, said the source. | |||||||||
| 19-Sep-2021 | The Ludhiana Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, legal advisor for US-based pro-Khalistan organisation Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), and two local youths after some pro-Khalistan slogans were painted on the walls at Gill village in Dehlon area in Ludhiana District. | |||||||||
| 17-Sep-2021 | Punjab Police busted a secessionist module of the banned outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and arrested three SFJ members during a raid at Rampur village in Khanna in Ludhiana District on September 17. Those arrested are identified as Gurwinder Singh, Jagwinder Singh, and Sukhdev Singh. Police have recovered over 2.8 lakh pamphlets carrying propaganda material related to ‘Referendum 2020’ from their possession during the raid conducted at Rampur village in Khanna. A printer, spray pump and spray bottles for writing secessionist graffiti on walls, one laptop, three mobile phones and one Honda City car were also recovered. During investigation, it has been found that the accused Gurwinder Singh was radicalised and motivated over a YouTube channel, US Media International, being operated by JS Dhaliwal, who introduced him to Pannun. A Police spokesperson added that on Pannun’s instructions, Gurwinder hoisted Khalistani flags on the premises of the Government school in Rampur village. Police claimed that Gurwinder had enrolled 20-25 persons to promote ‘Referendum 2020’ by distributing pamphlets for different groups in the vicinity of Doraha in Ludhiana. All these persons were paid for their service at the behest of Pannun. | |||||||||
| 11-Sep-2021 | The US-based Pro-Khalistan organisation Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) issued a statement targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Government over violence against farmers who are protesting against the three controversial farm laws. The group said that it is “gearing up to chase PM Modi from White House to UN to raise a ruckus over India’s use of brutal force against protesting farmers of Punjab in which several hundred have already died”. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, General Counsel to SFJ, in a statement said, “SFJ is planning to lobby with the White House and US Congress to “Hold Modi Accountable” for: (a) using violence against farmers; (b) suppressing the freedom of speech of the US Citizens by filing criminal charges in India for holding pro-farmer rallies at Indian Consulates; (c) and for filing sedition charges against Khalistan Referendum campaigners based in India and abroad.” Also, in a video message, Pannun said, “Modi will face legal consequences for ordering violence against protesting farmers and Khalistan Referendum activists”. | |||||||||
| 31-Aug-2021 | The Punjab police on August 31 registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)-backed Khalistan ideologue Sikh for Justice (SFJ) ‘chief’ Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and other members for their continued attempts to promote violence in the State and the recent assassination threat against Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Captain Amarinder Singh. The Director general of Police (DGP), Dinkar Gupta, said that Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and his associates had been found promoting violent extremist action and threatening assassination of the Chief Minister, an elected constitutional Head of government of the State of Punjab. | |||||||||
| 07-Aug-2021 | Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, leader of the pro-Khalistan outfit Sikh for Justice (SFJ), in an audio message, threatened Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Captain Amarinder Singh and Governor VP Singh Badnore of their political death if they hoist the Indian tricolour on the occasion of Independence Day on August 15. In this audio message, Pannun was discussing about the farmers' movement and it has been said that 'Our farmers are dying, in such a situation the hoisting of the tricolour on August 15 will not be tolerated.' | |||||||||
| 06-Aug-2021 | The pro-Khalistan outfit, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), in an audio message, threatened Uttar Pradesh (UP) Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath that he will not be allowed to hoist the national flag on Independence Day. According to reports, an audio message in the name of SFJ's Gurpatwant Singh Pannun from an international phone number (+6478079192) has been received by UP Police which not only warned CM Adityanath against hosting the national flag on August 15 but also said that thermal plants will be shut down on the same say. It also warned that western areas in Uttar Pradesh i.e., from Saharanpur to Rampur will be taken over by Khalistan. | |||||||||
| 02-Aug-2021 | Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun through recorded phone calls, threatened Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national president Jagat Prakash Nadda. The pre-recorded audio calls were received on the phones of journalists based in Una, Hamirpur, Kullu and Solan districts of Himachal Pradesh. The caller, introduced himself as Pannun, said that JP Nadda is personally responsible for the death of thousands of farmers in the country and JP Nadda is associated with the BJP and because of the BJP, no hearing is being given to the agitating farmers. | |||||||||
| 30-Jul-2021 | The pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) issued a threat that Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Jai Ram Thakur will not be allowed to hoist the national flag on the occasion of Independence Day on August 15. The threat was made through a recorded phone call to a majority of Shimla-based journalists, and the caller identified himself as the general counsel for SFJ, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. In the audio message the person said, “Himachal Pradesh was part of Punjab and we are seeking a referendum in there. We will liberate Punjab, and make sure that we take over Himachal which was part of Punjab". He then, sought the support of pro-Khalistan Sikhs, and the farmers and said, "We will not allow Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur to hoist Indian Tricolour." | |||||||||
| 21-Jul-2021 | The banned Khalistani organization Sikh for Justice (SFJ) threatened the Delhi Police to stay away from the farmers' movement. SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in an audio message said that “the farmers of Punjab are going to capture the Parliament on July 22. If Delhi Police tries to stop them, the result will be bad.” | |||||||||
| 10-May-2021 | According a report in Newsweek, a weekly American magazine, New Delhi has prevented a United States (US) based Sikh advocacy group, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) from providing financial support to the Indians who are unable to afford the high cost of oxygen. The SFJ said the Indian government blocked its COVID-19 relief website, oxygenfund.org, which was aimed at connecting the needy Indians with Sikhs in the US, Canada and other countries willing to donate money. Amid the block, according to the report, the group now operates through WhatsApp to reach the Indians in desperate need. | |||||||||
| 10-May-2021 | According a report in Newsweek, a weekly American magazine, New Delhi has prevented a United States (US) based Sikh advocacy group, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) from providing financial support to the Indians who are unable to afford the high cost of oxygen. The SFJ said the Indian government blocked its COVID-19 relief website, oxygenfund.org, which was aimed at connecting the needy Indians with Sikhs in the US, Canada and other countries willing to donate money. Amid the block, according to the report, the group now operates through WhatsApp to reach the Indians in desperate need. | |||||||||
| 04-May-2021 | According to sources, the outlawed pro-Khalistan group, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) is indulging in what officials call an “oxygen conspiracy”. Punjab officials allege that SFJ is trying to fish in troubled waters to increase its followers in the border state. Over two dozen calls have been tracked down that show Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s organisation promising Rs 3,000 to Punjab Covid-19 patients in need of oxygen. Pannun has announced that Sikhs for Justice will provide “Oxygen money” (Rs 3,000) to each Covid patient in Maharashtra, UP, West Bengal and Punjab. SFJ has launched a website www.oxygenfund.org for registration to get oxygen money of Rs 3,000. Police believe that at least 200-250 random calls with the message have been made. But the desperate attempt by SFJ has not paid dividends as average calls were cut a couple of seconds into the conversation. It is the same organisation that has also tried to milk the farmer agitation. | |||||||||
| 30-Apr-2021 | The pro-Khalistani separatist group, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) said that the government of India has blocked a Canadian website that aims to raise funds for COVID-19 patients abroad. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a lawyer and chief of SFJ, said it launched a website (OxygenFund.org) on April 27 to connect patients in four Indian states with donations to buy liquid oxygen. However, the group launched another site April 29, Oxygen4Punjab.org, which was blocked again within hours. Though the government of India didn’t respond to it, Anshuman Gaur, India's deputy high commissioner to Canada, said that his government has labelled SFJ a terrorist group, but could not comment on whether the state blocked its site. | |||||||||
| 13-Mar-2021 | The United Nations (UN) has received a USD 10,000 “donation” from the pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), an outfit banned by India. SFJ is simultaneously lobbying the UN to set up a “commission of inquiry” to investigate alleged mistreatment of farmer protesters in India.A spokesperson for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva, said, “We confirm we received a contribution of USD 10,000 on 1 March from an individual representing the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) group via our online donation function. In general, we do not decline online contributions, unless they are from groups or individuals listed on UN sanctions lists or the organisation/individual is engaged in activities manifestly contrary to the UN Charter or its principles.” US-based Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, SFJ’s general counsel, said a further USD 1.3 million had been pledged from the Sikh community to establish a UN commission of inquiry (CoI) “to investigate India’s use of violence and sedition charges against protesting farmers”.“As of my knowledge the UN has not established the commission. But we are pursuing the matter through the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights,” Pannun said. | |||||||||
| 10-Mar-2021 | The banned pro-Khalistan organization Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), in a video message, announced INR 100,000 to the deceased and INR 25,000 for the injured farmers who have been protesting at Delhi's borders since December 2020 against the recently introduced farm laws. | |||||||||
| 02-Mar-2021 | Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) donated USD 10,000 to the UN Human Rights High Commissioner to request for a ‘commission of inquiry’ to be set up to probe the curbs allegedly imposed by the Central government on farmers from Punjab. In a video released by SFJ, the outfit's General Counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun revealed that the USD 10,000 donation had been made to the UN to seek the formation of an inquiry committee to investigate ‘curbs’ imposed on farmers by the Centre, including sedition and to hold India accountable. | |||||||||
| 11-Feb-2021 | The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a chargesheet against six accused persons in a case (RC-30/2020/NIA/DLI) dated September 5, 2020, relating to hoisting of ‘Khalistani’ flag at Deputy Commissioner Office Complex in Moga District of Punjab by cadres of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) before NIA Special Judge at Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar District of Punjab. The six accused include - Inderjit Singh, Jaspal Singh alias Ampa, Akashdeep Singh alias Munna, Jagwinder Singh alias Jagga, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, and Harpreet Singh alias Rana alias Ranjit Singh alias Harmeet Singh. Investigation in the case revealed that accused Inderjit Singh, Jaspal Singh and Akashdeep Singh were radicalized members of SFJ and conspired with Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and Rana Singh of SFJ. In furtherance of conspiracy accused Inderjit Singh, Jaspal Singh and Akashdeep Singh were involved in hoisting ‘Khalistani’ flag at DC Office Complex, Moga on August 14, 2020, and also tearing of Indian National Flag hoisted in premises of DC Office, Moga. They have made video of the incident and sent it to Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and Rana Singh of SFJ which was broadcasted by them on various social media platform like YouTube, US Media International and SFJ Channel to propagate the secessionist agenda of SFJ and in support of ‘Referendum 2020’ for making separate State of Khalistan. Accused Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and Rana Singh have also sent funds through money transfer services to accused Inderjit Singh and Jaspal Singh after the commission of crime. | |||||||||
| 04-Feb-2021 | The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that India had issued a Mutual Legal Assistance Request to the US for investigation in the case of ‘Referendum 2020’ (secessionist campaign) by the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). As per procedure, the request has been sent directly by the Indian authorities concerned to the US Department of Justice (DoJ), it added. | |||||||||
| 26-Jan-2021 | The US-based pro-Khalistani outfit, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), announced a reward of USD 350,000 for unfurling the "Khalistani flag" on the Indian Parliament on February 1, when the Union Budget 2021-2022 will be presented. In a video statement, SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun hailed the hoisting of the 'Nishan Sahib'—which he referred to as a "Khalistani flag"—during the "siege" of the Red Fort in Delhi on January 26. He announced a reward of USD 350,000 (INR 25 million) for unfurling the "Khalistani flag" at the Parliament on February 1. | |||||||||
| 14-Jan-2021 | The banned US-based secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) announced a reward of USD 2,50,000 for protesting farmers of Punjab for hoisting ‘Khalistan flag’ at India Gate in the national capital on Republic Day. While announcing the reward, SFJ’s chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in a video tried to link the farmers' protest with 1984 anti-Sikh riots. “26 January is coming and on the Red Fort, there is an Indian tricolour. Remove the tricolour on 26th of January and replace it with the Khalistan flag,” he said while announcing that SFJ will give USD 2,50,000 to those who will remove the Indian tricolour. Besides this, SFJ also used the bait of giving foreign citizenship to lure the protesters. “The laws of the world are with you. If the Indian Government points a finger at you, you and your families will be brought to the foreign countries under the United Nations laws,” he further said. | |||||||||
| 21-Dec-2020 | The banned US-based pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) filed a civil defamation lawsuit against the Ottawa-based think tank Macdonald-Laurier Institute (MLI), with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice over the institute’s report ‘Khalistan: A Project of Pakistan’, claiming it was a “malicious attempt to undermine the legitimacy of Referendum 2020 and to threaten SFJ’s viability as a not-for-profit organisation”. “MLI’s report is defamatory, malicious, misleading… feeds into a narrative that is being propagated by the government of India. Contrary to MLI’s allegations, Khalistan Referendum is a gross root initiative led by Sikh sovereigntists,” SFJ’s general counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said in a statement. The MLI, on the other hand, has said that the defamation lawsuit filed by the SFJ is a “meritless attempt to silence public debate”. | |||||||||
| 18-Dec-2020 | The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a chargesheet against 10 accused persons including designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of the banned secessionist organization - Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) before the NIA Special Court at Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar District. Originally registered by Punjab Police at Sultanwind Police Station, Amritsar (City) on October 19, 2018, the case was subsequently re-registered by NIA on April 5, 2020. The case relates to series of acts of violence including acts of arson in Punjab during the year 2017-18, carrying out of propaganda activities both online and on ground campaigns in support of SFJ and ‘Referendum 2020’. These acts were committed by a gang of radicalised Sikh youth under direction and financial assistance from SFJ handlers located abroad as part of an organized conspiracy by the accused for launching a concerted secessionist campaign for the creation of ‘Khalistan’. The charge sheeted accused are – Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, r/o New York USA, Pargat Singh, Sukhraj Singh aka Raju, Bikramjit Singh aka Vicky, Manjeet Singh aka Manjit Singh aka Manga, Jatinder Singh aka Goldi, Gurwinder Singh aka Gurpreet Singh aka Gopi, Harmeet Singh aka Happy, Kuldeep Singh aka Kuldip Singh aka Keepaand and Harmeet Singh aka Raju. | |||||||||
| 09-Dec-2020 | The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a chargesheet against 16 foreign-based Khalistanis, who are members of the banned US based secessionist organization - Sikh for Justice (SFJ), before a NIA special court in New Delhi. The chargesheet relates to a case pertaining to an alleged organised conspiracy by the 16 accused to launch a concerted secessionist campaign under the banner of 'Referendum 2020' for the creation of ‘Khalistan’. The charge-sheeted accused are – Gurpatwant Singh Pannun (resident of New York, USA), Avtar Singh Pannun (New York, USA), Gurpreet Singh Baagi (UK) Harpreet Singh alias Rana Singh (New York, USA), Paramjit Singh alias Pamma (UK), Sarabjit Singh Bannur (UK), Amardeep Singh Purewal (California, USA), J S Dhaliwal (Canada), Kulwant Singh Mothada (UK) Dupinderjit Singh (UK), Hardeep Singh Nijjar (Canada), Kulwant Singh alias Kanta (UK), Harjaap Singh alias Japhi Singh (California, USA), Sarabjit Singh aliasSabi Singh (California, USA), Jatinder Singh Grewal, (Canada) and S Himmat Singh (New York, USA). In a statement, the NIA said, “Investigation in the case has revealed that Sikhs for Justice, a secessionist outfit floated in the garb of ‘Human Rights advocacy group’ with its offices in various foreign countries like the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia etc, is a frontal organization of Khalistan terrorist outfits operating from foreign soils including Pakistan. Under this campaign, numerous social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, YouTube Channels and a number of websites have been launched, which are being used to propagate sedition as well as enmity on the grounds of region and religion, to radicalise impressionable youth, to cause disturbance to peace and harmony and to raise funds for terrorist activities.” | |||||||||
| 05-Dec-2020 | In a letter, addressed to the External Affairs Minister (EAM) Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs Vellamvelly Muraleedharan, the banned Sikh secessionist organization - Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) has conveyed to block Indian Missions in US, Canada, UK and Europe to 'stand in solidarity' with the protesting farmers of Punjab. Further, declaring their support for the Bharat Bandh called on December 8, SFJ alleged that the Indian government was 'unabashedly suppressing and gagging the protesting, criticizing and dissenting voices, with impunity'. SFJ also said that they would protest on December 10 - Human Rights Day - to bring global awareness of the alleged human rights violations made by the NDA government on Punjab's farmers. | |||||||||
| 29-Nov-2020 | Amid the escalated protests by farmers against the farm laws passed in the parliament, the banned secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has offered support of USD 1 million to the protestors. SFJ’s Chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun released a video, promising aid to the protestors who are injured or whose tractors have been damaged during the protests. In an attempt to hijack the farmers' agitation and provoking the residents of Punjab, Pannun asked the protestors to register their vote for freedom of Punjab from the Union of India. He attempted to mislead the citizens by calling it a “fight between Punjab and Hind”, adding that the solution to it was “Khalistan and Freedom (Azaadi)” and appealed “to support the referendum to free Punjab from India”. | |||||||||
| 25-Nov-2020 | The banned secessionist organization – Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) announced to organise a “global referendum” from the United Kingdom (UK) on August 15, 2021. SFJ’s chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun circulated the anti-India message on some specific internet platforms regarding the move. The message was followed by a short video shot by Pannun who claimed to leave SFJ’s mark in the national capital on November 25 by raising pro-Khalistan slogans. In the header of the video message, the SFJ mentioned, “Khalistan slogans at Delhi Metro and Khalistan flag raised at Yamuna Bridge Crossing.” Also, the message further claimed “the supporters of secessionist group SFJ have left their mark in the Indian capital by writing Khalistan slogans at Delhi Metro and also a flag has been raised at the Yamuna bridge crossing. Khalistan flag at Yamuna crossing is message to Modi government about the boundaries of independent Punjab for which SFJ is organising global referendum starting from London on 15th August 2021.” However, the security agencies refuted any such activity in the national capital and are keeping a strict vigil in the suspected areas across the capital city to avoid any untoward activity. | |||||||||
| 24-Nov-2020 | Security agencies have issued alerts in Delhi to keep strict vigil in the national capital as the banned secessionist organization – Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) in its latest move has given a call to farmers of Punjab and Haryana to raise ‘Khalistan’ flags on November 26 at India Gate. SFJ’s chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in a video message, advised farmers to reach Delhi on November 25 where arrangements for their night stay would be made at Gurudwaras Bangla Sahib; Rakab Ganj Sahib; Sis Ganj Sahib and Majnu Ka Teela and where Khalistan flags would be supplied to them for hoisting on India Gate. Also, SFJ called for the move on November 26 as it would be observed as the 12th anniversary of the terrorist attack in Mumbai. | |||||||||
| 04-Nov-2020 | Delhi Police said that the US-based pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) threatened to disrupt two Air India flights which were scheduled to leave for London from Delhi on November 5. The SFJ also called upon the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots to occupy the airport to "internationalize" the issue. | |||||||||
| 02-Nov-2020 | The Government of India issued orders to block 12 websites linked to pro-Khalistani outfits that were being directly operated by the banned secessionist organisation Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). The banned websites include SFJ4Farmers, pbteam, seva413, pb4u, sadapind, among others with "org" extension. | |||||||||
| 02-Nov-2020 | The Chief Minister of Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Lal Krishna Advani received death threats from the Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). The leader of SFJ, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on November 2, 2020, released posters to kill the Chief Minister and LK Advani after which the Security agencies have become cautious. | |||||||||
| 22-Oct-2020 | The pro-Khalistan outfit, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) released a video offering the students in Punjab free iPhone 12 Mini with pre-installed ‘Punjab Referendum’ apps for raising pro-Khalistan flags on the occasion of the 36th death anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. In the video SFJ had said, “To commemorate the 36th martyrdom year of Beant Singh, the assassin of Indira Gandhi, the secessionist group Sikh For Justice gave a call to the students to raise Khalistan flag in schools, colleges and universities in Punjab on October 31. SFJ General Counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun offered the students free iPhone 12 Mini with pre-installed ‘Punjab Referendum apps’ and VPN to safely connect with SFJ’s Voter Registration database circumventing the Ministry of Home Affairs’ ban.” | |||||||||
| 13-Oct-2020 | The National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out searches at six locations in Punjab in connection with a case linked hoisting of Khalistani ‘flag’ by Sikhs for Justice (SJF) cadres at the Deputy Commissioner's Office in Moga on the eve of Independence Day on August 14, 2020. The NIA conducted the searches in Ferozpur, Ludhiana and Moga Districts. The searched premises belonged to accused Akashdeep Singh, Jogwinder Singh, Inderjeet Singh, Jaspal Singh and Ram Tirath, the NIA said. It also searched a cyber cafe belonging to accused Jaspal. During the searches, the NIA seized various electronic items like pen drives, laptops, hard discs and other incriminating documents. The NIA said that the crime was committed by miscreants who were offered cash rewards at the behest of Sikh For Justice (SFJ)'s General Counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. | |||||||||
| 03-Oct-2020 | The Khalistani secessionist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) has announced a reward of $10,000 for hoisting Khalistan flag at Shambhu toll plaza at Punjab-Haryana border in Patiala district during farmers rally on October 4. Intelligence aAgencies warned both Punjab and Haryana police to be on alert as the US-based SFJ's General Counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has given the call for raising Khalistan flag at Shambhu border to highlight its agenda that "independence from India is the only permanent solution". During the farmers rally at Shambhu border, SFJ's referendum ambassadors will try to register votes for the outfit's 'Referendum 2020' agenda and will distribute literature to educate farmers about the permanent solution to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's agricultural reform bills, agencies informed. | |||||||||
| 31-Aug-2020 | According to reports, two people who were arrested in Punjab for putting up a Khalistani flag on a building, were planning to go to Pakistan with the help of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to receive terror training. According to police, the two arrested persons, Jaspal Singh and Inderjeet Singh Gill were planning to go to Nepal from Delhi. From there, the ISI sleuths would have taken them to Pakistan for terror training. The plot involved luring more youth from Punjab to join them in Pakistan. According to the police, both Singh and Gill used to watch YouTube channels supported by pro-Khalistani outfits and had become members of Sikh For Justice (SFJ) group through WhatsApp. | |||||||||
| 26-Aug-2020 | Baljinder Singh, the father of 19-year-old Akashdeep Singh who was recently arrested for allegedly raising a Khalistan flag atop the Moga DC office and desecrating the Indian flag, said that the banned pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) has been misleading youths in Punjab. “These pro-Khalistan outfits such as SFJ and their leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. These people are misleading youths in Punjab in the name of Khalistan. Children of poor people are being misguided by these people in the name of Khalistan. Jehde eh Khalistan de bhaashan de rahe ne, oh ethe aap aake lain jhandey (these people who are giving pro-Khalistan speeches, why don’t they come here themselves and put Khalistan flags)? If you (Pannun) are a true Khalistani, then why don’t you come to Punjab and put Khalistan flags all around? My family and I have always saluted the tricolour for which Bhagat Singh laid down his life. We do not believe in any Khalistan ideology,” Baljinder said. Baljinder also claimed that Akashdeep only shot the video of the incident, that too after being “misled” by his cousin Jaspal Singh and his friend Inderjeet Singh, the other accused booked in the case. | |||||||||
| 26-Aug-2020 | Baljinder Singh, the father of 19-year-old Akashdeep Singh who was recently arrested for allegedly raising a Khalistan flag atop the Moga DC office and desecrating the Indian flag, said that the banned pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) has been misleading youths in Punjab. “These pro-Khalistan outfits such as SFJ and their leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. These people are misleading youths in Punjab in the name of Khalistan. Children of poor people are being misguided by these people in the name of Khalistan. Jehde eh Khalistan de bhaashan de rahe ne, oh ethe aap aake lain jhandey (these people who are giving pro-Khalistan speeches, why don’t they come here themselves and put Khalistan flags)? If you (Pannun) are a true Khalistani, then why don’t you come to Punjab and put Khalistan flags all around? My family and I have always saluted the tricolour for which Bhagat Singh laid down his life. We do not believe in any Khalistan ideology,” Baljinder said. Baljinder also claimed that Akashdeep only shot the video of the incident, that too after being “misled” by his cousin Jaspal Singh and his friend Inderjeet Singh, the other accused booked in the case. | |||||||||
| 25-Aug-2020 | Intelligence agencies issued an alert after information was received that secessionist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) has given a call for a 'Punjab Bandh' on August 31. SFJ, which was declared an ‘unlawful association’ by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs in July 2019, in a recent message called for a "Punjab Bandh" on August 31 to commemorate the 25th death anniversary of Dilawar Singh, the assassin of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. In its bandh call, the SFJ has offered reimbursement of travel expenses for return trip to Amritsar to Sikhs who will attend Ardas at Akal Takht on August 31. SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in his call, mentioned that Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) appointed Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Gurbachan Singh in 2012 had declared Beant Singh's assassin Dilawar Singh as a "Qaumi Shaheed". "SFJ is humbled to offer this seva to Sikhs in Punjab who wish to attend Ardas at Akal Takht on August 31," said the call. Citing an Amnesty International report on the situation in Punjab during 1992-95, Pannun stated that "Bhai Shaheed Dilawar Singh indeed put a halt to the genocide of Sikhs under Beant's rule. We urge people of Punjab to shut down all businesses except essential services such as clinics and pharmacies on August 31 in respect of Quami Shaheed Dilawar Singh," added Pannun. | |||||||||
| 24-Aug-2020 | The Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh said, “Arresting Sikh youths for performing ardas in gurdwaras is not fair.” “Performing ardas is the religious duty of every Sikh. A Sikh always vows to the concept of Raj Karega Khalsa (Khalsa will rule) through ardas. However, performing it or getting it performed for money is not Sikhism. The Sikh youths should be conscious of the provocative statements,” said Giani Harpreet Singh. Earlier, police arrested a youth for performing ardas of Khalistan at Takht Damdama Sahib and Akal Takht on the call of a US-based secessionist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). | |||||||||
| 23-Aug-2020 | Punjab Police arrested one Khalistani terror sympathiser, identified as Gurmeet Singh from the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar district after he allegedly organised prayers for the Referendum 2020. According to the reports, Gurmeet Singh also shot a video of the prayer he organised at the Golden Temple. He organised prayers after the pro-Khalistan group Sikh For Justice (SFJ) had claimed that it would offer $5000 to anyone performing prayers for Khalistan at Akal Takht on August 23. Later, Gurmeet Singh, a resident of Tarn Taran, works as a Sikh preacher (granthi), confessed to the police that he was promised $5000 by Pannun if prayer is held for Khalistan at the Golden Temple. | |||||||||
| 23-Aug-2020 | A Sikh man based in the US, Surjit Singh, alleged that the chief of pro-Khalistani extremist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun extorted $15,000 from a Dalit youth from Punjab. In a video shared on social media, Surjit Singh of California has alleged that Pannun cheated him of $15,000 which he had paid to him in an immigration case of a Dalit youth last year. Surjit Singh is heard saying in the video that he gave Pannun $15,000 for getting the US residency status for a Punjabi youth of the Valmiki community (Dalit). However, after Pannun received the money, he did not fulfill his commitment and did not deliver what he had promised. Surjit is also heard saying in the video that whatever Pannun has been doing, he does it only for money. | |||||||||
| 22-Aug-2020 | The pro-Khalistan separatist outfit, Sikh For Justice (SFJ) offered money to anyone performing ardas for Khalistan at Akal Takht on August 23. In a release issued on August 22, SFJ’s Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has tried to lure people into offering such arads at Akal Takht by offering $5,000, and $500 for offering ardas at other local Gurudwaras. Recently, Pannun had offered $200 for removing Indian tricolour and raise Khalistan flag instead at gram panchayat on August 15, the Independence Day. | |||||||||
| 16-Aug-2020 | According to reports, Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is facing a massive setback due to the pro-active policies of the Indian government for the welfare of the Sikh community. Consequently, it is overburdening its proxy organizations like Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) to launch smear propaganda against India amongst the Sikh diaspora. The sinister attempts of the ISI as well as its proxies are proving to be absolute failure, adding to the frustration of Pakistan. | |||||||||
| 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. | |||||||||
| 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. | |||||||||
| 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". | |||||||||
| 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. | |||||||||
| 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. | |||||||||
| 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. | |||||||||
| 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.” | |||||||||
| 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. | |||||||||
| 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. | |||||||||
| 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. | |||||||||
| 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. | |||||||||
| 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. | |||||||||
| 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." | |||||||||
| 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. | |||||||||
| 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”. | |||||||||
| 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. | |||||||||
| 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. | |||||||||
| 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. | |||||||||
| 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. | |||||||||
| 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. | |||||||||
| 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. | |||||||||
| 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. | |||||||||
| 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. | |||||||||
| 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. | |||||||||
| 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.” | |||||||||
| 12-Jul-2020 | Haryana Police registered a second FIR against the leader of the banned pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, on charges of sedition and secessionism. The FIR was registered at Kurukshetra on the complaint of a state police official. The complainant has alleged that Pannun has been blaming the Haryana government and its people for being inimical to the interests of Sikhs and Punjabis. Haryana police spokesperson said that they have got all websites allegedly created by Pannun and launched in the past one week blocked. | |||||||||
| 12-Jul-2020 | Anti-Terrorist Front India president Viresh Shandilya on July 12, 2020, received death threat over the phone. Shandilya received a phone call in the night with the caller threatened him for speaking against pro-Khalistan sympathisers. Shandilya alleged that the caller said he will be eliminated like former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, who was assassinated way back in 1995. He said, ““I have been speaking against pro-Khalistani elements. I have been raising my voice against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of the banned pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs for Justice and the secessionist campaign he has started from the foreign soil.” | |||||||||
| 11-Jul-2020 | Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in an audio message claimed to organise an event related to the secessionist movement ‘Referendum 2020’ at Gurudwara Patshahi Chhevin in Kurukshetra in Haryana on July 11. It prompted Kurukshetra Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dhirendra Khadgata and Superintendent of Police (SP) Astha Modi to contact the management of the Shiromani Gurdwara Management Committee (SGPC)-run Gurudwara. Later, Gurudwara Patshahi Chhevin manager Amrinder Singh said that “Gurdwara Patshahi Chhevin in Kurukshetra is managed by SGPC. We have no link with SFJ. After consulting with higher officials of SGPC, we released a video message refuting the claims made in the audio message.” DC Khadgata said that, “These audio messages are being circulated with a motive to spread hatred.” | |||||||||
| 07-Jul-2020 | Pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), the organisation continues to reach out to Indians, particularly opinion-makers like journalists and lawyers, with pre-recorded, international calls to push its secessionist agenda and propagate its notorious Sikh Referendum 2020 campaign. Many journalists in Delhi have lately been receiving pesky calls originating mostly from numbers in the US, seeking their support for SFJ's Khalistan cause and Referendum 2020, under which popular vote is being solicited in support of Punjab’s secession from India. The messages that are played out every time you accept the international call - that may show Michigan or Georgia or any other location in the US as the point of origin of the call - contain anti-India statements and invoke radical Sikh feelings to push their 'Khalistan' agenda. | |||||||||
| 06-Jul-2020 | Political parties in Punjab demanded stern action of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). Sunil Jakhar, president, PPCC, said, “Intelligence reports had indicated that the SFJ was backed by Pakistan-based ISI. He said terrorism has to be fought jointly.” SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal said, “Referendum 2020 was just a drama by those who hate India.” Ashwani Kumar, president of the BJP’s state unit, said, “Pannu is irrelevant not only in Punjab, but also in Canada”. Leader of Opposition Harpal Cheema said, “The state government failed to curb the SFJ’s activity. The government should have approached the TRAI and got the calls blocked that urged people to respond.” | |||||||||
| 05-Jul-2020 | The Government of India blocked 40 websites of pro-Khalistan group, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and foiled its campaign of registering supporters for its cause. The websites were blocked on the recommendation of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA). "Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), an unlawful organisation under the UAPA,1967, launched a campaign for registering supporters for its cause. On recommendation of MHA, MEITY has issued orders under Sec. 69 A of the I.T. Act, 2000, for blocking 40 websites of SFJ," a UMHA spokesperson said. The SFJ was registering supporters for 'Referendum 2020' to demand Khalistan, which seeks a separate homeland for the Sikhs. It had launched its voter registration in Punjab through a Russian portal. The SFJ chose July 4 to launch the campaign in memory of Sikhs killed during the 1955 attack at Darbar Sahib. | |||||||||
| 05-Jul-2020 | Bholath MLA and former Leader of Opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira came out in support of Joginder Singh Gujjar alias Goga, days after he was booked and arrested by the Punjab Police on charges of sedition and waging war against India. In a letter to Chief Minister (CM) Amarinder Singh, Khaira said, “The truth is that this man living in Italy for the past 18 years is 65 years of age, illiterate and a heart patient with no criminal record throughout his life. The village panchayat, elders and his family have approached me for justice and have vehemently vouched for his innocence”. Earlier Punjab Police on July 2 had booked Gujjar, whom it said is a prominent and active member of the banned Sikh for Justice (SFJ) in a case under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). | |||||||||
| 04-Jul-2020 | Dalit organizations based in Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur and other districts in Punjab staged protests against Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for his anti-Dalit action of burning a copy of the Constitution and insulting Dr BR Ambedkar. The organizations which took part in the protests included the Bharatiya Valmiki Mahasabha, Patiala, Bhawadas Sanstha, Bhim Army, Dalit Bhalai Sangathan and Bharatiya Valmiki Samaj, Sangrur. | |||||||||
| 04-Jul-2020 | No representative of the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) visited Akal Takht to perform the ardas before the beginning of online voter registration for ‘Refrendum-2020’. The Punjab Police have blocked 17 web portals so far which were being used for spreading the “anti-India” campaign of the SFJ. | |||||||||
| 04-Jul-2020 | Heavy security arrangements were made around the Golden Temple in Amritsar due to apprehension of pro-Khalistani group, Sikh For Justice (SFJ) trying to start their voters’ registration for its Khalistani ‘Referendum 2020’ campaign. Police vehicles in large numbers and policemen in plain clothes were seen in the Golden Plaza, from where they kept a watch to foil any anti-national activity. Security sources said that the arrangements were made in view of possibility of some disillusioned SFJ supporters gathering and creating ruckus or making an attempt to begin the voter registration process to attract media attention. | |||||||||
| 04-Jul-2020 | Sikh For Justice (SFJ) launched its ‘referendum’ voter registration in Punjab through a Russian portal. It appealed to the people in Punjab aged 18 or above from any religion, as well as Sikhs living anywhere else in India to register their votes. Detailed information regarding the registration process was put up in English and Punjabi languages on the Russia-based website - www.punjabfree.ru, which mentions three steps for registration of votes and the sign-up to receive updates about the ‘Referendum 2020’. Meanwhile, the Indian government has since been in touch with the authorities concerned as to how the SFJ used Russian cyberspace to launch the voter registration for Referendum 2020. | |||||||||
| 03-Jul-2020 | The legal advisor of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is now making ‘new worded’ recorded calls to people, including journalists in Punjab. In the nearly two-minute voice call made from a US number, Pannun made claims of “dismantling” the Indian system. Ahead of the beginning of the registration process for “Referendum 2020” from July 4, police have strengthened and alerted the intelligence network to look for the remnant support system of SFJ. | |||||||||
| 03-Jul-2020 | The Punjab and Haryana high court asked the states of Punjab, Haryana and the Union government to take necessary action against banned organization Sikh For Justice (SFJ)’s bid to provoke public sentiment. The division bench of chief justice Ravi Shanker Jha and justice Arun Palli passed the order while disposing of a petition filed in public interest seeking directions for taking steps against SFJ. During the hearing, the counsel for Punjab government informed that SFJ was banned by the state in July 2019 only and its legal adviser Gurpatwant Singh Pannun was also declared a designated terrorist by the government of India on July 1. The court was also informed that 116 WhatsApp groups relating to the organisation have been blocked and further steps in this regard are being taken. Further, the counsel said, as many as 16 FIRs have been registered against the organisation and further details regarding the steps being taken by the government cannot be shared for security reasons. | |||||||||
| 02-Jul-2020 | Punjab Police registered two separate FIRs, in Amritsar and Kapurthala, against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and his associates, including an active SFJ member, Joginder Singh Gujjar, who reportedly came to India from Italy in February this year. The Dalit Suraksha Sena (DSS) had filed a complaint against Gurpatwant Pannun and his associates, and got a case (FIR 168) registered against him at police station B/Division, Police Commissionerate Amritsar for burning the Indian Constitution and Indian national flag, and instigating others to do so too, which had hurt the sentiments of the entire SC community in the country. The second FIR, registered at PS Bhulath, district Kapurthala, is based on reliable inputs of entry of Joginder Singh Gujjar alias Goga in India in February 2020, a police spokesperson said, adding that Pannun and his associates have been charged with seditious and secessionist activities in the case. | |||||||||
| 02-Jul-2020 | The Gurugram (Haryana) police booked the chief of banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, on charges of sedition for allegedly indulging in unlawful activity by “openly supporting the secession of Punjab from the Union of India by inciting the Sikhs and in activities aimed at threatening the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of India and inciting ill-will and hatred against people of Haryana.” The Gurugram police also invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against Pannun. In the FIR, the complainant stated that he received information from a “secret source” that a pre-recorded audio-video message had been circulating on social media, in which Pannun, who identified himself as General Counsel of SFJ, allegedly blamed the Government of Haryana and the people of Haryana for “being inimical to the interests of Sikhs and Punjabis.” | |||||||||
| 02-Jul-2020 | A day after he was designated as a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), Sikh For Justice (SFJ) leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun released a video statement on YouTube, saying that he was not a terrorist. He said in the video that, “Indian government has designated me and many other pro-Khalistan Referendum 2020 activists and campaigners as terrorists. I want to tell the world that we are not terrorists. A terrorist is the one who kills civilians and common people with bombs and guns. It is the Indian government that is unleashing terrorism against Sikhs, Kashmiris, dalits and other minorities.” He said the Indian government is afraid of their “legal activities” which challenge its hegemony and terrorism. “That is why India labels Referendum 2020 campaign as 'terrorism'. We will dismantle the Indian system that has committed the genocide of Sikhs. We will root out that Indian system which attacked the Akal Takht Sahib. We will erase that Indian system which raped our women and made a 'widow colony',” he stated. | |||||||||
| 01-Jul-2020 | Government of India declared nine individuals, including pro-Khalistani leader and the key member of banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun as terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UAPA]. Pannun, who organized the Khalistan 2020 referendum, has been seen actively running a campaign against India and motivating Sikh youngsters in his home state of Punjab to join militancy. The others who have been designated by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) as individual terrorists under the UAPA include Paramjit Singh (Babbar Khalsa International), Hardeep Singh Nijjar (Khalistan Tiger Force), Gurmit Singh Bagga (Khalistan Zindabad Force), Wadhawa Singh Babbar (Babbar Khalsa International), Lakhbir Singh (International Sikh Youth Federation), Ranjeet Singh (Khalistan Zindabad Force), Paramjit Singh (Khalistan Commando Force), Bhupinder Singh Bhinda (Khalistan Zindabad Force). Following an amendment in the UAPA recently, the UMHA declared a total of 13 persons as individual terrorists till date. In an official statement the U said, “These individuals are involved in various acts of terrorism from across the border and from foreign soil. They have been relentless in their nefarious efforts of destabilising the country, by trying to revive militancy in Punjab through their anti-national activities and through their support to and involvement in the Khalistan Movement.” | |||||||||
| 29-Jun-2020 | The Director General of Police (DGP) of Haryana, Manoj Yadava said that the state police will take appropriate action against banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ)’s Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for making automated phone calls and instigating people. He said “As per initial investigations, It appeared that US-based Pannu had made automated telephonic calls to people of the state claiming Haryana people they have always stood against the interest of Punjab and Sikhs.” “This person intentionally tries to spread mischievous and unsubstantiated information, disturb the peace and brotherhood among the people of both the states. Any attempt by him to disturb the peace would not be tolerated,” Yadava said. | |||||||||
| 28-Jun-2020 | Intelligence agencies warned the government of pro-Khalistan activities in the country backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) outfit. According to sources, the warning mentions that these anti-India activities are being guided by one ISI handler named Abdullah in close coordination with SFJ’s founder Avtar Singh Pannu, who is learnt to have been residing in the United Kingdom (UK). Abdullah’s name was also revealed during questioning of three arrested suspected sympathisers of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), who were planning to execute targeted killings in various northern states. The KLF supporters were arrested by the special cell of Delhi Police in a week-long operation across Delhi, Punjab and Haryana. Intelligence agencies have also shared inputs about another person named Pak-based Gopal Singh Chawla, a close aide of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind and Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Hafiz Saeed, for his role in pro-Khalistan activities in India. It has been suggested in the warning, which was shared earlier this month, to keep the national capital on high alert ahead of Independence Day. Inputs were shared that KLF group has been tasked by ISI and SFJ for terrorist activity in the national capital, said the source. | |||||||||
| 27-Jun-2020 | According to sources, around 20 months after the Amritsar police booked Pargat Singh (23) in a sedition case for his alleged links with outlawed Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) radical outfit, the National Investigation Agency (NIA)’s move to arrest him has brought the focus on 18 others named in the same 2018 sedition case. However, no police action was initiated against these 18 after the FIR was lodged in 2018. They are now believed to be on NIA’s radar after Pargat’s arrest, who is alleged to be the key recruiter of radical Sikh youths for SFJ. While Punjab Police had booked 30 accused in original case, it had submitted challan only against 11 at an Amritsar court in March 2019, keeping 19, including Pargat Singh and banned outfit SFJ’s Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, out of it. NIA told Mohali court earlier this week that Pargat Singh, a Sikh priest from village Tarmala in district Sri Muktsar Sahib, was one of the key conspirators and recruiter of radical Sikh youth while working under the directions of handlers located abroad to further the activities of SFJ which has already been declared an unlawful association. The original case was registered at Sultanwind Police Station, Amritsar (City) vide FIR No 152 dated October 19, 2018. The case was subsequently re-registered by NIA on April 5, 2020. | |||||||||
| 23-Jun-2020 | The key conspirator behind recruiting youth for the banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), Pargat Singh (23), who was arrested recently, was produced in a National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Mohali which remanded him to NIA custody till June 29. According to NIA, the case was related to a series of acts of violence, including arson, in Punjab during 2017-18, carrying out of propaganda activities online and on ground, and organising campaigns in support of ‘Referendum-2020’. | |||||||||
| 22-Jun-2020 | According to Indian intelligence report, Pakistan is using its diplomatic missions, particularly in London to ‘fund and foment’ anti-India hate campaigns. The role of the Pakistan High Commission in London, primarily of a colonel rank officer of Pakistan Army posted as an advisor there, has come to light, the report reveals. The colonel is assigned the task of re-uniting splinter groups of pro-Khalistan Sikhs, operating from Britain, Germany, the Netherlands and some other countries of Europe. At the behest of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the colonel has been instrumental in funding Khalistan groups, including Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) which has an office in London. Report said that Gurmeet Singh Bagga, based in Germany's Hamburg, has links with Khalistani militants operating from Britain and the US including Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of SFJ. The colonel, who works under a senior official of Pakistan Navy posted at High Commission, has been a key person in organizing several anti-India protests at the Indian High Commission office in London. ISI-backed Khalistani groups have attacked several Indians outside the Indian High Commission office, near Bush House in London in March 2019. Later it was found that SFJ organized the attack with help of the Overseas Pakistani Welfare Council, backed by the ISI and the Pakistan High Commission. Pannun and his close aides have been frequent visitors to the Pakistan High Commission, located at Lowndes Square. | |||||||||
| 21-Jun-2020 | The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested a key member of a gang allegedly involved in recruiting radical Sikh youths for the outlawed Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) group on directions from foreign handlers in a bid to create unrest in the country. The accused, identified as Pargat Singh (23), a resident of Sri Muktsar Sahib, was produced before a special NIA court in Mohali on June 22 which remanded him to NIA custody until June 29. Singh is one of the key conspirators and recruiter of radical Sikh youths while working under the directions of handlers located abroad to further the activities of SFJ. The case was registered at the Sultanwind police station in Amritsar (City) in 2018 under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). During investigation, sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Arms Act were added, the official said. Punjab Police filed a charge sheet against 11 arrested accused in March 2019, he said. | |||||||||
| 20-Jun-2020 | Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Amarinder Singh said that pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ)’s leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun was not only propagating but actively involved in promoting separatism and terrorism in India. The CM asserted that he would not allow Pannun to succeed in his divisive agenda and disturb the state's peace at any cost. He challenged the "pro-Khalistani propagandist to come to Punjab instead of hiding out in other countries to spread his vicious campaign". | |||||||||
| 19-Jun-2020 | Punjab Cooperation and Jails Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said that Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) leader Pannun is a traitor and should be dealt with hard hands. Randhawa, on Pannun approaching China for getting its support for the separatist agenda, said that “Traitors have no religion. Pannun talks about Khalistan.” “Satnam who was killed by Chinese troops, was an ‘amritdhari’. His wife, son and father are also ‘amritdharis’,” he said. “Pannun should be ashamed of supporting China. The entire country should condemn this and Pannun’s family should be boycotted wherever they reside in country,” the minister said. “Pannun is propagating Khalistan just to gather money from Pakistan, ISI, China and other anti-national forces. He should be brought to India and punished,” added Randhawa. | |||||||||
| 18-Jun-2020 | Punjab Police booked pro-Khalistani leader and legal adviser of the banned organization Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for sedition and unlawful activities, instigating youth of Punjab in favour of ‘Referendum 2020’, provoking the secession of Punjab from India and attempt to spread dissatisfaction among the country’s armed forces or abetting mutiny. Pannun has been instigating people of Punjab through pre-recorded audio message (IVR) from different international numbers mainly from the US for last few months. He was booked under Sections 124-A (waging war against India), 131 (abetting mutiny) 153-A (promotion disunity and disharmony) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Sections 10(a), 13(1) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). According to reports, the trigger point for registration of the case took place after Pannun reportedly approached the Chinese government for helping him in his anti-India activities. Also, a number of pre-recorded calls emanating from Pakistan were also received by number of citizens, including advocates, journalists and police officials. Some callers claimed they were calling from China or were Chinese and supported Pannun. Police had earlier also lodged two FIRs against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for his anti-India activities. | |||||||||
| 18-Jun-2020 | Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta said that the calls on behalf of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) from Pakistan proved that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of that country was planning the whole conspiracy. Also, the attempts to involve China, at a time when a bloody clash has taken place between armed forces of both countries, suggests there is a bigger conspiracy against the country through Pannun. “It is highly insensitive that when brave Punjab soldiers had achieved martyrdom fighting Chinese army, Pannun and others were carrying their nefarious designs in causing bloodshed and violence in Punjab. We will never let it happen as Punjabis are living in peace,” said the DGP. He added that it was also unfortunate that the trouble was being created when each resident of the state was fighting against the spread of deadly coronavirus. | |||||||||
| 17-Jun-2020 | The US-based pro-Khalistan group, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) made recorded calls to the people in Punjab in Chinese and English languages, instigating Punjabis to register for its 'Referendum 2020' beginning from July 4. In the phone call, a girl identifies herself as a supporter of SFJ from Beijing and asks the people of Punjab to register themselves for Referendum 2020 both in English and Chinese languages. | |||||||||
| 16-Jun-2020 | The US-based separatist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) urged Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh to perform ‘ardas’ on July 4, when it will begin voter registration for ‘Referendum 2020’ to seek people’s opinion on separate Punjab from rest of India. SFJ has deliberately chosen the date, as it was on this same day in 1955 that police had arrested Sikh leadership demonstrating in support of Punjabi Suba. SFJ’s leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said “SFJ is opening voter registration in Punjab on July 4, 2020, for non-governmental Referendum 2020 and we seek Sri Akal Takht Sahib’s blessings in this endeavour for Sikhs’ rights.” Sikh scholars in India are of the view that acting Jathedar’s and the SGPC president’s comments on Khalistan had given the Sikh separatists an opportunity to “rope in” Sikh religious leadership. | |||||||||
| 15-Jun-2020 | Indian intelligence agencies identified more than twenty phone numbers of Khalistan extremists, originating from the US, Pakistan and other destinations, used in spreading audio messages in various districts in Punjab. Sources revealed that maximum calls have originated from numbers bearing US code such as (+1 253 533 71XX, +1 405 835 23XX, +1 833 779 04XX). Most of these numbers are being used by banned extremist outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). A man identified himself as Imran Malik, based in Karachi, called several people in Punjab and Chandigarh, including journalists, and informed them about the secret referendum of Sikhs relating to demand for creating an independent Khalistan state. | |||||||||
| 10-Jun-2020 | Canada’s Ontario Superior Court of Justice rejected the principle of universal jurisdiction for online defamation claims by the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) simply because internet publications may be accessed or downloaded anywhere. The SFJ in its case, alleged that the Republic of India, alongside India-based media organizations such as ANI Media Private Ltd., conducted a smear campaign against the plaintiff as a response to the plaintiff’s referendum for an independent Sikh nation in Punjab, India. On the other hand, the defendant ANI Media moved to dismiss or to permanently stay the action, arguing that the Ontario court neither has jurisdiction over the subject matter nor is the convenient forum for the action. | |||||||||
| 06-Jun-2020 | According to reports, no Sikhs converged at Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib on the call given by US-based pro-Khalistani group, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). Sources said that "We have information that attempts are being made to allure poor Paksitani Sikhs with cash rewards for protesting against India. However, none reached Kartarpur Sahib on Saturday morning". The presence of several Sikh youth and some unknown faces during Saturday's protest only confirmed their belief that these were being paid to stage demonstration and raise slogans against India, they claimed. | |||||||||
| 06-Jun-2020 | According to reports, empowered by the Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh’s statement on Khalistan, the US-based secessionist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) vowed to continue with its plans to hold voting for its unofficial Punjab Independence Referendum in the year 2020 while complying with the COVID-19 safety guidelines of WHO. On the 36th martyrdom year of Sant Bhindranwale, SFJ held a global conference addressed by pro Khalistan activists and international experts of democracy and referendum and announced that from July 4, 2020, people living in Punjab and Sikhs living anywhere in India will be able to register their votes for non-governmental Punjab Independence Referendum. | |||||||||
| 05-Jun-2020 | The US-based Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) leader, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in a message to Sikhs of Pakistan appealed to them to converge at Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib on June 6 to perform ardas and also raise slogans for Khalistan. He said that Sikh for Justice (SFJ) would be holding a conference on June 6 to update Sikh community regarding their divisive ‘Referendum 2020’. However, the president of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), Satwant Singh didn’t comment on Pannun’s call to Sikhs of Pakistan. However, sources didn’t rule out the possibility of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) facilitating a video conference between Sikh militants of Pakistan and those abroad. “There is likelihood of forging of new ties especially SFJ exhorting Pakistani Sikhs to hold anti-India protest at Kartarpur and we are of view that Pakistan’s Khalistani leader Gopal Singh Chawla will be playing a key role,” said sources. | |||||||||
| 04-Jun-2020 | According to a confidential report prepared by the Indian intelligence agencies, Indo-Canadian crime syndicates, dominated by NRIs from Punjab, are funding separatist groups, including Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), in a bid to rekindle the Khalistan movement in India. The report revealed that crime syndicates like Dhaliwal and Grewal gangs, involved in drug trafficking and operating out of the Canadian state of British Columbia, are linked to SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and his aides. Dhaliwal and Grewal gangs founded a Vancouver-based notorious mafia syndicate ''Brothers Keepers''. Besides drug trafficking, contract killing and gun running, Brothers Keepers also fund SFJ leaders and those associated with the Khalistan movement. The report also said that with the support of illicit funds, extremist Sikh leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is conspiring to bring several Khalistani factions under one umbrella, and on this Sunday (June 7), he would be addressing a global video conference in this connection. | |||||||||
| 01-Jun-2020 | A day after Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Captain Amarinder Singh warned China that India wouldn’t tolerate any bullying by Bejing and had also cautioned it to not take India lightly, the Sikh for Justice (SFJ) leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun wrote a letter to Chinese premier Xi Jinping justifying China’s position against India and extending support of pro Khalistani Sikhs. "We consider China's counter military action against India as legitimate and justified to protect its territorial integrity under international laws", writes Pannun to Jinping. In an attempt to rope in China in SFJ’s separatists campaign Referendum 2020, Pannun urged the Chinese president to take up before the UN Security Council, the issue of Sikhs right to ‘self-determination and secession’ of Punjab from India through referendum. Pannun in his letter also said that a delegation of SFJ’s Referendum campaigners would reach Bejing in the third week of August 2020. Meanwhile, according to sources, intelligence agencies are of view that Pannun feared action against SFJ in US since India and US enjoys a cordial relation and Pannun was exploring to get support from China, at least in media, that has tense relations with both India and US. “SFJ’s claims of being a human rights group with several million followers in Punjab and around the globe is also questionable and has no evidence of same” said sources. | |||||||||
| 31-May-2020 | According to reports, the pro-Khalistan group, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and their activities has been earning criticisms across several nations and this is evident from various incidents that are taking place in recent times. The latest is an ugly incident at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Surrey, BC Canada where Hardip Singh Nijjar, President of the gurdwara was involved in a brawl. Sukhi Chahal, CEO and chairman of California-based JDS Unified LLC said that “In a May 28, 2020 tweet, one of my latest questions put to Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, self-styled Legal Adviser of so-called 'Sikhs For Justice' (SFJ) was to comment on the recent reported fight between Hardeep Nijjar and others at Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Surrey, BC Canada.” He said, “Hardeep Nijjar is learnt to be a ‘proclaimed Offender’ and a wanted criminal in India." “I fail to understand why such criminals are at all allowed to enter other countries and granted asylums as in Nijjar’s case. How do such criminals manage to occupy important positions of Gurdwaras abroad?”, asked Chahal. | |||||||||
| 29-May-2020 | According the reports, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ)’s scheduled referendum 2020 programme - an exercise to know the opinion of Sikhs for a separate Sikh state - has been deferred to 2022. According to a Pakistani private TV channel, Referendum 2020 was scheduled to be held in November 2020 but has been deferred due to coronavirus pandemic. The new date for holding the referendum would be announced soon, the report said. Interestingly, Pakistan’s Khalistani Sikh leader Gopal Singh Chawla had earlier hinted at a delay in holding the referendum, saying that, “Neither is it written in Quran nor in Guru Granth Sahib that Referendum 2020 has to be held in 2020 only.” | |||||||||
| 27-May-2020 | The Ontario Superior Court has recently applied the Supreme Court of Canada’s 2018 ruling to dismiss a defamation action brought by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) against an Indian based news outlet and the Republic of India (the Republic), on the basis that Ontario does not have jurisdiction. The decision in ‘Sikhs for Justice v The Republic of India, 2020 ONSC 2628’ provides important guidance on what the court considers when determining whether Ontario is an appropriate jurisdiction for online-based defamation claims, and therefore on the factors that parties should consider in starting litigation in Ontario. | |||||||||
| 12-May-2020 | The Kapurthala police said that pro-Khalistan groups are giving unnecessary twist to the death of a kabaddi player on social media to disturb peace in the state. Police, in the press conference, said “Some miscreants on social media are trying to politicise the matter. We convey our deep concern on the false rumours and request the public not to follow such fake news. Those spreading these rumours should refrain from the same.” The statement has come after hardliners from banned organizations, including Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), have been circulating posts against the police citing the incident as a deliberate act of terror by Punjab Police to ‘target Sikhs’. Earlier, the SFJ, in one of its social media posts said, “A Sikh has been killed by police as he exposed the ASI for selling drugs. Punjab Police are selling drugs to the people of Punjab and according to reports, 76% of youth is addicted to drugs. Punjab police are killing the youth with drugs. This is not acceptable. We want Khalistan.” | |||||||||
| 10-Apr-2020 | Punjab Police registered two cases against pro-Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and his banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) for seditious automated calls aimed at instigating the people, particularly youth, against the state government during the Covid19 lockdown. The Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta said that the cases have been registered against Pannun and the US-based SFJ under Section 124A of the IPC, and Sections 10 (a) and 13 (1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, at the State Special Operations Cell, Mohali. According to Mohali police, preliminary probe revealed that Pannun was involved in the commission of seditious acts of advocating secession of Punjab through automated calls as well as pre-recorded audio messages to various residents of Punjab and nearby areas in March and April 2020, with the intention to foment trouble in the state. | |||||||||
| 09-Apr-2020 | When the State authorities are busy with all the efforts to check the spread of the corona virus outbreak, the US-based pro-Khalistan outfit, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) is pushing its secessionist agenda by promising Rs 2000 each for coronavirus positive persons in the state and asking people if they support SFJ or the governments led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. For the past many days, residents of Punjab, including lawyers, the top police officers, media and others, were getting recorded interactive voice response (IVR) messages of SFJ ‘legal advisor’ Gurpatwant Singh Pannun from phone numbers having US ISD code. These call messages, which promise Rs 2000 aid to patients, also ask the receiver to ‘press 1’ if they agree with the policies of SFJ or ‘press 2’ if they agree with the policy of Centre government led by PM Modi and Punjab government. The chief of Punjab Police Intelligence Wing, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Varinder Kumar, said that police were seized of the matter and had discussed the issue with Centre also. He said the police had earlier got blocked one of the numbers, but Pannun started using another number to send the recorded voice messages. Police believe that recorded messages are being routed through some Call Center. | |||||||||
| 08-Apr-2020 | Lawyers of Punjab and Haryana High Court are receiving recorded calls from the New York-based pro-Khalistani group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), which was banned by India last year, seeking their opinion about its so-called movement to "free" Punjab from India. According to reports, the recorded calls instigate listeners against the central government and the Punjab administration using the novel coronavirus pandemic as an excuse. Referring to the tough action taken by Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi against those violating lockdown norms, the pro-Khalistan group has also accused them of ‘torturing’ youngsters. SFJ also claimed that it is paying Rs 2,000 to Punjab's Covid-19 victims. However, it could not be substantiated. Sources in the intelligence agencies confirmed that similar calls are being made on behalf of SFJ for the past one week in other parts of Punjab. These calls are made from only one US-based number +18336101020. The lawyers' numbers seem to have been taken from the e-directory or may have been provided by somebody. "Votaan raahi Punjab nu Bharat de kabje ton Azaad karvana chahnde haan, par Captain te Modi di sarkar corona kahar de hondeyan bhi Punjab de naujawana te tasdaat kar rahi hai. Sikhs For Justice corona kahar de peeditaan nu Rs 2,000 de rahi hai te Captain di sarkar ik bar pher bharma rahi hai sirf vadeyaan naal. (We want to free Punjab from the occupation of India through votes. Captain and Modi governments are using force against the youth of Punjab despite the current crisis due to coronavirus. SFJ is paying Rs 2,000 to the victims of Covid-19 but Captain's government is still misleading with mere promises)," goes the recorded call. The recording also includes a simple poll. "Asi tuhade tonh ek sawaal puchhna chahnde haan, je tussi SFJ di nitiyaan naal sahmat ho to ek dabao, je Modi or Captain di nityaan to sahmat ho taan do dabao. (We want to ask one question, if you endorse the ideology of SFJ, then press one and if you support Modi or Captain, then press two)." The recording is apparently in voice of its legal adviser Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, but it could not be confirmed. | |||||||||
| 20-Feb-2020 | A delegation of the pro-Khalistani group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), a proscribed group in India,met with White House officials ahead of the US President Donald Trump’s visit to India. The meeting was held hours after Trump announced that the trade-deal between India and the United States will not be taking place during his India visit. Though, Government of India has not made any official statement regarding this, top Government sources revealed that India is definitely disappointed by the meeting between the secessionist group leaders and the White House officials. It would have been better if the US administration had called off the meet at such a crucial time, because it can strengthen the anti-India forces. | |||||||||
| 06-Feb-2020 | The National Investigation Agency (NIA) special court sought a report on the medical treatment being given to Malkit Singh alias Shera, who was arrested by the NIA in connection with the September 5, 2019 Tarn Taran blast case. The court has directed the Amritsar jail superintendent to file the report by March 5, 2020. Meanwhile, NIA also sought permission from the NIA court for procuring mobile data and Facebook records of the accused named in the Tarn Taran blast case. NIA had so far arrested five persons, identified as Malkit Singh alias Shera, Mandeep Singh alias Massa, Amritpal Singh, Chandeep Singh, and Amarjit Singh in the case. NIA sources said that the accused had support of the Sikh For Justice (SFJ) organisation and wanted to revive terrorism in Punjab. NIA had also said two accused, Bikram Singh alias Bicky alias Bikkar Singh and Harpreet Singh alias Happy, died on the spot while Gurjant Singh and Malkit Singh sustained injuries while they were trying to dig out an explosive buried by them in a vacant plot on the outskirts of Pandori Gola village in Tarn Taran District on September 5, 2019. | |||||||||
| 29-Jan-2020 | The Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has changed its nomenclature from Sikh Referendum 2020 to Punjab Referendum 2020 and invited members of other religions, besides Dalits. According to report, after failing to get any response for their referendum 2020, SFJ, through their posters circulated on social media, has extended the program to all communities and invited Dalits to join the campaign. According to Punjab Police, SFJ had abandoned the Sikh referendum movement and shifted its stance after it got no response from the Sikh community over its separatist agenda. Police officials also said that there was an outcry over anti-national activities of the SFJ. The SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in his recent video posted on a Facebook group titled 'Sikh Referendum 2020' besides the Sikhs and Muslims, can be seen appealing to all Christians and Hindus to vote for his dream project referendum 2020. "This is also for all the Muslims and Christian brothers that the referendum is not closing. We will be sending the registration forms to every household and the voting will start on June 6, 2020. Hindus having immovable property in India cannot vote as there are some restrictions," Pannun said. | |||||||||
| 26-Jan-2020 | The followers of poet-saint Guru Ravidas staged a protest outside the office of the pro-Khalistan group, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) in New York on January 26 against the alleged burning of the Indian Constitution and demands for a referendum in Punjab. The protesters raised slogans against the SFJ and burnt the effigy of its leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannu. The president of Guru Ravidas temple in New York, Ashok Kumar Mahi, who had called for the protest said that "Our protest is against them burning the sacred Constitution. They provoked us by sending this video." Earlier, SFJ sent a video of tearing a copy of the Indian Constitution and burning it. The Dalit leader, Ashok Kumar Mahi, also told the local media India America Today that they were offended by Pannu’s move and had reached out to his organisation also to underscore their “strong feelings” associated with the Constitution and Dr BR Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution. However, SFJ went ahead with its attempted burning of the Indian Constitution, which has hurt the feelings of the community, he said. | |||||||||
| 26-Jan-2020 | The websites of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) was suspected to be hacked by a group called ‘Dalit Hacker’. The group said that it celebrated India's Republic Day by hacking the website. | |||||||||
| 24-Jan-2020 | Around 15,000 British Kashmiris plan to attend the protest outside the Indian high commission building in London on January 26 as India celebrates Republic Day. The protest, which starts at 1 pm was called by the groups like Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and the World Sikh Parliament. Pro-Khalistan Sikhs, British Pakistanis and Britons who originate from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) are expected to take part in the protest.. | |||||||||
| 17-Jan-2020 | According to sources, Indian diplomats and British Indians fear violence and damage to the Indian high commission building in London when up to 5,000 protesters are expected to protest outside it on Republic Day on January 26. The protest named as “Rise for Kashmir” will take place outside the Indian high commission on January 26 from 1 pm to 3 pm. According to the president of Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK, Fahim Kayani, Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and the World Sikh Parliament are the organizers of the protest. However, the British Indians has sent emails to the Metropolitan police and London mayor Sadiq Khan expressing concerns about the security of the mission building and asking for the protest to be moved. | |||||||||
| 13-Jan-2020 | According to reports, after the ban on pro-Khalistan group Sikh for Justice (SFJ), the group has formed a new faction named 'SFJ International'. Some foreign journalists were also included in to the new SFJ International faction to give impetus to the activities of 'Referendum2020' against India.It is also reported that Pakistan’s ISI has set up centers in Spain, Canada and Thailand to fund SFJ International. | |||||||||
| 09-Jan-2020 | The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UAPA] tribunal headed by Delhi High Court Chief Justice D N Patel upheld the Central Government's ban on pro-Khalistan group, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). The tribunal observed that it was clear from the evidence on record that activities of the group were ‘unlawful’, ‘disruptive’ and ‘threaten the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of India’. Justice Patel said that the evidence proves that SFJ was "working in collusion with anti-India entities and forces… Thus, the Central Government had sufficient cause to take action under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for declaring Sikhs For Justice as an unlawful association.” Earlier, the Central Government on July 10, 2019 had declared SFJ as an unlawful association and had banned it for five years. | |||||||||
| 09-Jan-2020 | The Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta said that the ban on the SFJ was good news for Punjab, where it had been fishing for young and gullible youth, and radicalising them. He said, "With the SFJ being declared as an unlawful association, people will not fall prey to their objective of radicalising youth and unleashing violence in the state.” | |||||||||
| 01-Jan-2020 | The Director General of Police (DGP), Punjab, Dinkar Gupta in an interview said that “We have been fortunate that 2019 has gone without any terror crime.” However, he cautioned that “It is difficult to say what the future holds for us, but when you are dealing with a neighbour like Pakistan, there will be attempts to foment trouble in Punjab. So, we have to be always vigilant.” He also said that “the SFJ tirade, however, has no resonance in Punjab. Some see it as a bogey created by security agencies.” | |||||||||
| 01-Jan-2020 | Regarding the “Referendum2020” campaign the DGP, Dinkar Gupta said, “It has no takers here. SFJ has been banned by the government of India and its chief protagonist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has been declared proclaimed offender in a few cases. The only worrying part is that they are beguiling and trying to provoke the youth to commit violence which is not a good sign. It vitiates the peace.” | |||||||||
| 18-Sep-2019 | According to reports, the organizers of Howdy Modi event in Houston on September 22, in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend, said that they have averted the protesters backed by Khalistani activists, Kashmiri separatist and Pakistani groups’ plan to picket outside the NRG stadium venue. However, several groups including ‘Friends of Kashmir’, ‘Sikhs For Justice’ and “International Humanitarian Foundation” have reportedly hired buses and trucks and plan to drive around close to the venue, and are offering “tickets” for the protest on an online events management website. | |||||||||
| 05-Sep-2019 | The day after Pakistan announced to levy USD 20 service fee for the pilgrims going to Kartarpur Sahib via under construction Kartarpur corridor, the US-based pro-Khalistani organization Sikh For Justice (SFJ) offered to reimburse the fee. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun who claims to be the legal advisor of SFJ informed “People of Punjab who will visit Kartarpur Sahib between November 1 and 30 will have to submit proof of their visit to SFJ and receive USD 20 service fee reimbursement via Western Union.” | |||||||||
| 24-Aug-2019 | An official spokesperson stated that the tribunal set up by the Government of India to adjudicate ban on SFJ issued a show-cause notice to the pro-Khalistan group. He said that a notice has been issued to SFJ as to why the association declared unlawful, be not adjudicated to be so and why the order confirming the declaration be not made. The association has been given 30 days to respond from the date of service of the notice. The objections, reply or affidavits may be filed before the next date of hearing. | |||||||||
| 20-Aug-2019 | The Punjab and Haryana High Court put Punjab Government on notice on a plea seeking release of 8-year-old son of Malaysian woman arrested by Punjab Police for funding terror activities. The woman, Kulbir Kuar was arrested from Delhi airport on August 15 for her linkage with a pro-Khalistan group SFJ. The court was told that Diljot Singh is son of Kulbir Kaur, who was deported to India from Malaysia and was arrested at the Delhi airport. The police sent the child to a shelter home in Gurdaspur. The state’s response has been sought by August 27. | |||||||||
| 15-Aug-2019 | A woman, identified as Kulbir Kaur was arrested for her linkage with a pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), from Delhi airport in New Delhi. According to Police, the arrestee had moved to Malaysia from Barnala city (Barnala District) in Punjab in 2008 and was one of the active members of the SFJ. Police said that, Kaur is accused of brainwashing some youths, who set fire to two liquor vends in Harpur Dhandoi and Panjgrayan villages in Gurudaspur District. Police was verifying whether she was also involved in funding of Referendum 2020 activists or not. However, Police official stated that during investigations it was revealed that the funding was made from someone in UK. | |||||||||
| 08-Aug-2019 | The Government of India has set up a tribunal to adjudicate whether or not there is sufficient reason to impose a ban on pro-Khalistan group SFJ, which was declared as an unlawful organisation last month. The UMHA, while imposing the ban, had said the group’s primary objective is to establish an “independent and sovereign country” in Punjab and it openly espouses the cause of Khalistan and in that process, challenges the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India.“Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 5 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), the central government hereby constitutes an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal, consisting of Mr Justice D N Patel, Chief Justice, High Court of Delhi, for the purpose of adjudicating whether or not there is sufficient cause of declaring the SFJ as an unlawful association,” a notification issued by the UMHA said. | |||||||||
| 25-Jul-2019 | The Government of India has empowered eight states, including Punjab and Delhi, with a “sizeable presence of Sikh population” to take action against Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) if they try “to brainwash Sikh community in favour of Khalistan movement”. In its order, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) noted, “..In exercise of the powers conferred by section 42 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), the central government hereby directs that all powers exercisable by it under section 7 and section 8 of the said act shall be exercised also by the state governments of Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and Chandigarh administration”. “Centre doesn't have the wherewithal or jurisdiction to implement the notification in these states. This notification deals with only those states which have a sizeable Sikh population and where the organisations like SFJ can play foul and try to brainwash Sikh community in favor of the Khalistan movement, through various means,” a senior UMHA official said. | |||||||||
| 15-Jul-2019 | After being banned by the Government of India, the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) said the group would now lobby with the United State (US), Canadian, United Kingdom (UK) and European Governments, ‘exposing how India brands mere expression through peaceful means of a peaceful political opinion as ‘terrorism’ and seeks to curb dissent’. Rejecting Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s charge that the Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was backing the SFJ, it’s legal adviser Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said, “We filed defamation charges against Capt when he said it during his visit to the USA and Canada. | |||||||||
| 14-Jul-2019 | India, in a dossier to Pakistan, has mentioned nearly 30 instances in the past four years when Sikh pilgrims visiting the neighbouring country were subjected to ‘anti-India propaganda’ such as espousing the Khalistani cause. The 23-page dossier was handed over to the Pakistani delegation during the Kartarpur corridor talks held at Wagah. Gopal Singh Chawla, a key “Khalistani element”, instigated the Sikh community to support Kashmiris for the formation of “Azad Kashmir”, says the dossier. The paper also contained a “pictorial catalogue of his anti-India activities on social media”. India accused that the recently banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) was given a free hand to promote secessionism during visits of pilgrims. The dossier also mentioned names of others like Tara Singh, Bishan Singh and Maninder Singh were named in the dossier for displaying Khalistani propaganda and leading a protest against India at Wagah border in July 2017. | |||||||||
| 11-Jul-2019 | Punjab Chief Minister Chief Minister Amarinder Singh described the ban on the pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) as the first step towards protecting the nation from the anti-India and secessionist plans and designs of the Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)-backed organisation. He said the association should be declared a terror organisation. Punjab Police and National Investigation Agency (NIA) have busted several modules of SFJ found indulging in various subversive activities in Punjab. Investigations revealed that the activists were radicalized and funded by abroad based SFJ handlers - Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Harmeet Singh, Paramjit Singh Pamma, etc. Ten cases have been lodged with Punjab Police while one case is with NIA in which 39 accused have been arrested. | |||||||||
| 11-Jul-2019 | The Government of India downplayed the threats by al Qaeda and Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) saying, they are not to be taken seriously. Terming the pro-Khalistan group “Sikhs For Justice” a fringe group, External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that the organisation has no traction within the mainstream Sikh community and India takes no cognisance of what such fringe elements say. | |||||||||
| 11-Jul-2019 | The legal adviser of the pro-Khalistan group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun had approached the Chinese authorities and claimed that there was ‘suppression of indigenous people's democratic movements of self-determination’ not only in Punjab but also in Kashmir and north-eastern states. According to an intelligence report, SFJ had started new propaganda warfare against India through social media,especially by launching “Burn the tricolour” videos to instigate the Khalistan issue, disrupt peace, social harmony and to create unrest in India. The report says,"Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, attorney of law, New York, legal adviser, SFJ, wrote a letter to Yao Jing, ambassador of China to Pakistan informing them about the role of an Indian intelligence agency in attack on Chinese consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, on November 23, 2018”. | |||||||||
| 10-Jul-2019 | The Government of India banned the pro-Khalistan radical group, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) for five years and declared it as an “unlawful association” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The US-based secessionist outfit with the primary objective of establishing an independent and sovereign country has its top leadership based in US, UK and Canada, with just 8-10 active members and negligible support base in India. SFJ enjoys strong online presence through social media accounts run in its own name or by its leaders — main promoter Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a New York-based attorney, apart from Hardip Singh Nijjar and Paramjit Singh Pamma who are principal proponents of “Referendum 2020” in Canada and UK respectively. A senior Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) official said all the major Sikh bodies consulted ahead of the five-year ban had supported the action and that the Centre had largely relied on the “material” sent by Punjab Government to impose the ban. | |||||||||
| 18-Jun-2019 | Micro-blogging site Twitter has suspended pro-Khalistan propagandist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun's account following a complaint by the Indian Government. The legal adviser of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) -Pannun's account was suspended after a complaint by Sikh community claiming that Pannun is radicalizing Sikh youth with the help of illegal immigrants in the US and Canada. UK police arrested him in 2000, when he was entering England via Germany while returning from Pakistan after receiving terror training. He was sentenced to 30 months in prison as he was associated with proscribed organization Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). | |||||||||
| 27-Apr-2019 | Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh states that the appointment of a wanted Khalistani terrorist to spearhead the ‘Khalistan Referendum 2020’ campaign by ‘Sikhs For Justice’ (SFJ) has exposed the true motive and intent behind the separatist movement. He also urges the Government of India (GoI) and global community to join India in cracking down on this grave threat to its peace and security. | |||||||||
| 14-Mar-2019 | India did not raise the issue of Pakistan supporting the Khalistani movement during delegation-level talks to discuss the modalities of the Kartarpur Corridor. An official stated that ‘We did not want to give Pakistan an opportunity to deviate from discussing the modalities of the corridor, which is a priority for us. Indian security agencies had raised concerns about Pakistan using the corridor to push the Khalistani agenda of secessionist groups, including Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a U.S.-Canada based group who are planning to organise a convention on ‘Khalistan-Referendum 2020’ at the Kartarpur shrine. | |||||||||
| 18-Dec-2018 | The Chief Minister of Punjab Capt. Amarinder Singh said that the statement by the US based pro-Khalistan group—Sikhs For Justice [SFJ] has revealed the relation between the group and Pakistan’s Army and ISI to ‘liberate’ Punjab from India. Pakistan’s decision to open the Kartarpur Corridor was an ISI game-strategy to support anti-India elements which includes SFJ outfit. | |||||||||
| 06-Dec-2018 | Pro-Khalistan elements based in Pakistan stepped-up the agenda of “Referendum 2020” influencing Indian pilgrims visiting Sikh-religious sites such as Nankana Sahib, in Nankana Sahib District of Punjab in Pakistan. The Indian pilgrims who arrived on November 23 at Nankana Sahib had spotted the banners featured provocative slogans such as “Referendum 2020 will end India’s occupation of Punjab” and “Referendum 2020 is resistance against Indian occupation of Punjab”. Khalistan flags and life-size images of Sikh terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who was killed during the 1984 Military operation in the Golden Temple in Amritsar [Punjab], were placed on several buildings. Pakistan’s Security establishment keeps very close tabs on pro-Khalistan groups and there is no way that one of such groups—Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) could have gone ahead with these pro-Khalistani activities without the support from Pakistan’s Intelligence agency—Inter-Services Intelligence [ISI], said an Indian official [identity undisclosed]. | |||||||||
| 28-Nov-2018 | The US based pro-Khalistan group—Sikh For Justice (SFJ) has appreciated the Kartarpur Corridor as a ‘bridge’ to the mission of Khalistan and has announced to host ‘Kartarpur Sahib Convention-2019’ in Pakistan, on November 28. SFJ runs a pro-Khalistan campaign with support from Pakistan’s ISI towards creation of a separate Sikh land from India | |||||||||
| 12-Aug-2018 | The Sikhs for Justice (SFJ)— a United States (US) based Human Rights advocacy group with pro-Khalistan ideology, held a “London Declaration” on an independence referendum for the Indian state of Punjab at Trafalgar Square in London on August 12, 2018. | |||||||||
| 24-Jul-2018 | The Dal Khalsa and ShrimoniAkali Dal (SAD) (Amritsar) inquired the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ)—a pro-Khalistan organisation, to clarify the doubts in its Sikh Referendum 2020 proposal. The ‘president’ of Dal Khalsa—Harpal Singh Cheema and ‘president’ of SAD-Amritsar—Simranjit Singh Mann expected that the SFJ leadership would announce their thoughts to the people of Punjab regarding the practicality of their ‘Referendum 2020’ proposal during an upcoming event on August 12, 2018 in London, UK. However, Punjab’s Chief Minister (CM) Captain Amarinder Singh has stated that the organisation such as SFJ are seeking to divide the State with its campaign—Referendum 2020, and there is a need to counter this propaganda more aggressively. | |||||||||
| 12-Jul-2018 | The pro-Khalistan campaign—Referendum 2020 was launched in London, UK, to determine if Sikhs shall have an independent State—Khalistan. The announcement of the campaign made by the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ)—a pro-Khalistan organisation was welcomed with a ‘sharp reaction’ from the Indian government. The Indian government has seen the reports regarding this and the matter has been taken up with the UK government. We [Indian government] have also issued a demarche to them. In response, we expect that the UK government would not allow any group whose intentions is to spread hatred and to impact the bilateral relations of India and UK, said the Ministry of External Affairs’ Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar. | |||||||||
| 10-Jul-2018 | The pro-separatist Sikh organisation—Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) - offered the Sponsor category Visa of the UK to youth and political activists from Punjab to attend a gathering regarding the pro-Khalistani campaign of “Referendum 2020” which is scheduled on August 12, 2018, in London, UK. SFJ is organising the free stay for the visitors from Punjab (India) from August 10 to 14 for the pro-Khalistani activities in London, said the New York-based legal advisor of SFJ Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. | |||||||||
| 10-Jun-2018 | The Member of Parliament (MP) from Ludhiana Constituency—Ravneet Bittu received a threat on his twitter handle, from Sikh radicals during an event - ‘Referendum 2020 Khalistan’ organised in California State, US. Ravneet Bittu is trying to label US and Canada based campaigners as terrorists. Bittu’s attempts to thwart the legal process will be answered with equal force, read the tweet posted by the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). Punjab’s Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s twitter handle was also ‘tagged’ in the tweet. I have brought it to the notice of the concerned authorities, said Bittu. | |||||||||
| 02-Jun-2018 | The Punjab Police on June 2 arrested two Sikh radicals, Dharminder Singh aka Commando Singh and Kirpal Singh from Batala Tehsil, Gurdaspur District in Punjab. Both, Dharminder Singh and Kirpal Singh were planning to create unrest in Punjab ahead of 34th anniversary of the 1984 Operation Blue Star on June 6. Reportedly, Dharminder Singh has been serving in the Territorial Army—105 TA Rajputana Rifles in New Delhi. The Police has recovered a .30 calibre revolver, a .30 calibre pistol, stencils of ‘Khalistan Zindabad’ slogans, posters of the Sikh referendum 2020, and some spray paint bottles from Dharminder Singh’s possession, said IG (Border Range- Amritsar) S.P.S Parmar, and SSP of Batala—Opinderjit Singh Ghumman. Acting on specific information, a Police team arrested Dharminder Singh from his residence in Harpura Village, Batala Tehsil, Gurdaspur District in Punjab. Later, Kirpal Singh was arrested from his village upon confession of Dharminder Singh. In their confession, the accused revealed that they were radicalised and were being funded by their foreign-based Khalistani handlers, including Gurpatwant Singh Pannun who is a legal adviser of the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) organisation, Paramjit Singh Pamma from United Kingdom (UK), Mann Singh from UK, and Deep Kaur from Malaysia, to promote the propaganda of ‘Liberation of Punjab’—funded by Pakistan’s ISI, said IG Parmar and SSP Ghumman during a press conference. A case under Sections 307, 438, 427, 148, 149 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered at the Ranger Nangal Police Station. | |||||||||
| 02-Apr-2018 | The Punjab Police’s Counter Intelligence Wing, spoiled an alleged attempt of Pakistan’s ISI to highlight the pro-Khalistan campaign of ‘Referendum 2020’ by setting buses and liquor vends afire at Banga-Mukandpur road and arrested four persons—Manvir Singh, Jaspreet Singh, Sukhwinder Singh, and Randhir Singh from Gunachaur village in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar District in Punjab. All accused were radicalised by an unknown ISI agent through social-media. The ‘Referendum 2020’ is a project initiated by the US based Sikh radical group—Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and supports the ideology of Khalistan—a separate nation of Sikhs. The accused were conspiring to showcase the ‘Referendum 2020’ posters during the upcoming cricket match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in Mohali (Chandigarh) in a bid to gather the attention of international visitors, said Assistant Inspector-General (IG) of Counterintelligence H.P.S Khakh. All accused are in their early twenties of age and were lured by the offer of lucrative jobs. The accused were frequent visitors to the Facebook page and came in contact with a Malaysia-based woman—Deep Kaur. Through a group on WhatsApp, Deep Kaur introduced all four accused to her leader—Fateh Singh, who instructed them to create chaos by setting up liquor shops and public transport buses on fire. Because, ‘Referendum 2020’ is not popular among Punjab’s youth, they [accused] wanted to highlight the issue through criminal means, said Khakh. Initially, the accused were paid INR 70,000 as funds, some of which was used to buy a motorbike, whereas rest of the money was given to an Amritsar resident—Asis, for buying illegal weapons. | |||||||||
| 03-Jul-2017 | The pro-Khalistani group, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) has put out a statement as a direct threat to Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) if they try to remove its hoardings of referendum 2020 or pose any hindrance in their movement. SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said in a statement that "BJP will face serious consequences if they remove the Referendum 2020 hoardings." | |||||||||
| 22-Dec-2015 | Sikh For Justice (SFJ) who was under the radar of Intelligence agencies for aiding militants and funding of terror and the UK and Canada government would be contacted to act against the outfit. Now the Sikh for Justice raising funds to prevent the deportation of BKI militant Paramjeet Singh Pamma who is also associated with KTF and arrested in from a hotel in Portugal last week. Paramjeet was reportedly based in England on 'political asylum' since 1994-95. Paramjeet was reportedly the main fundraiser for BKI. Around INR 25, 00,000 has been raised from gurudwaras in France and the UK over the past few days, apparently to help Paramjeet engage a formidable legal defense to contest his deportation. Avtar Singh of Sikhs for Justice, a New-York based Sikh rights outfit, arrived in Paris from Canada on December 20, 2015, a couple of days after Paramjeet--wanted for 2010 twin bomb blasts in Patiala and Ambala and murder of Rashtriya Sikh Sangat leader Rulda Singh in 2009, was arrested by the Portugal Police. |