KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
07-May-2023
A report by Colin Bloom, an Independent Faith Engagement Advisor, reveals that pro-Khalistani activities across the globe are being fuelled by a small group of terrorists and extremists, aided and funded by Pakistan. The Khalistani movement uses the freedom provided in Western nations, especially the United Kingdom (UK), to spread hate and extremism and to coerce moderate Sikhs to support their ideology. The majority of Sikhs and Indians living abroad do not support extremism and the call for a separate Khalistan. The Khalistanis use gurdwaras to spread their messages of hate and extremism and to collect funding for their operations.
06-May-2023
Lord Indarjit Singh, a British Sikh peer, will present King Charles with the Coronation Glove, which symbolizes the Sovereign's role as an advocate and challenger for the protection and honour of the people, during the coronation ceremony. Lord Singh will join other faith leaders in the procession and gift presentation.
03-May-2023
A Sikh restaurant owner in London, United Kingdom (UK), Harman Singh Kapoor, received threats to his life after posting a video on TikTok against Khalistan movement. Reports indicate that his restaurant was targeted by supporters of Khalistan and he and his family have been repeatedly harassed and intimidated on social media, including receiving death threats. Harman said that his wife and his daughter received rape threats. Despite reporting the incidents to the authorities, Harman and his family continue to experience a sense of insecurity. Harman has accused the police of stating that they can only intervene if physical harm or loss of life occurs.
02-May-2023
The Sikh Group, a UK-based organization, released 'The Sikhs 100' list of influential Sikhs from around the world in various fields. Takht Hazur Sahib Jathedar Giani Kulwant Singh retained the top position, followed by Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh. Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Harjinder Singh Dhami feature at the third and fourth spot, respectively. Other notable names on the list include former PM Dr Manmohan Singh, Union Minister Hardeep Puri, and actor Diljit Dosanjh.
01-May-2023
The United Kingdom (UK) government-commissioned "Bloom Review" report on how the government should engage with faith groups in England has sparked backlash from British Sikhs and Hindus. The report's chapter on "faith-based extremism" included Sikh extremism and Hindu nationalism alongside Islamist extremism, white supremacy, black nationalism and Buddhist nationalism. The report calls for a more comprehensive understanding of subversive and sectarian Sikh extremist activity in the UK.
30-Apr-2023
According to a report titled “Does government do God” by the United Kingdom (UK) government, Khalistani groups are proliferating in the UK. The report states that Khalistani groups are found often masquerading as human right groups to avoid public scrutiny. The report further indicates that these groups are getting support from some political figures within the parliament. People interviewed for the report stated that they ‘live in fear’ if they disagree with the ideology of these activists. Additionally, the report includes a recorded testimony of a witness who stated that these groups were trying to brainwash the youth to create divisions and promote hatred in India.
30-Apr-2023
An Indian-origin crime gang leader, Raj Singh alias Rajinder Singh Bassi was sentenced to eight years and ten months in prison by a British court after admitting to drug smuggling, money laundering, and assault charges. The United Kingdom (UK)'s National Crime Agency (NCA) proved that Singh ran an organised crime group with Waqas Iqbal and regularly dealt in Class A drugs and firearms. Singh also assaulted a police officer. Iqbal was sentenced to 12 years in prison after admitting to similar charges. The duo were intercepted through their communications on the platform EncroChat by the NCA.
29-Apr-2023
According to report, no one showed up for a protest called by Khalistani extremists outside the Indian High Commission office in London on April 29. The protest was against the use of the term "Sikh extremism" in a report submitted by Colin Bloom, an independent faith engagement adviser. Bloom's report emphasized the need for the United Kingdom (UK) government to define and tackle harmful extremism, highlighting the negative effect extremist groups create on Sikh communities. Despite the call for protests on social media, none turned up.
28-Apr-2023
Colin Bloom, a faith advisor in the United Kingdom (UK), expressed that the Sikh community in the UK is composed of individuals who are generally kind, hardworking, and generous, describing them as beautiful people. However, he also pointed out that there is a small but vocal minority among them who are involved in pro-Pakistan extremism, and are disproportionately aggressive and threatening. Bloom sees the rise of pro-Khalistan extremism as a significant challenge that the British government needs to address and crack down on. He believes that this small extreme minority is letting down the larger Sikh community. Earlier on April 26, the UK government released a report called "Does Government 'do God'?: An independent review into how government engages with faith", authored by Colin Bloom. The report includes a section that focuses on the concerns of some members of the British Sikh community, who have expressed their worry about a small yet highly vocal group that they feel is attempting to co-opt the Sikh faith to advance a subversive pro-Khalistan agenda.
26-Apr-2023
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson commissioned an independent report known as the Bloom Review, which has brought attention to a "small, extremely vocal, and aggressive minority of British Sikhs who can be described as pro-Khalistan extremists." The report analyzes the government's engagement with faith groups in England and calls for a more nuanced understanding of "subversive and sectarian activity" within the Sikh community. The report cautions against certain pro-Khalistan Sikh groups that seek to amplify their influence by lobbying political bodies under the guise of human rights activism, thereby presenting a false image of legitimacy. Additionally, it highlights the use of various aliases by some groups to "subvert the British political order," a tactic historically employed by white supremacist and Islamist terrorist groups. According to the report, the subversive, sectarian, and discriminatory activities of these groups are not representative of the majority of British Sikh communities. However, it recognizes that such activities have negatively impacted these communities, underscoring the need for the government to take measures to address and define such harmful extremism.
25-Apr-2023
Chris Blackburn, a British political analyst, expressed concern about Dal Khalsa, an organization that is promoting the Khalistan movement and its supporters across Europe. He tweeted, “Dal Khalsa is doing a lot of heavy lifting for the Khalistan movement in Europe. It’s a blatant lie to say they aren’t instrumental to the leadership of the movement. Their open ties to #Pakistan and their radicalism are the issues. Would you agree?” He also shared images of Dal Khalsa events featuring Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the leader of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), who has been observed campaigning with members of Dal Khalsa for the referendum on several occasions.
25-Apr-2023
In an open letter addressed to United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, 230 Sikh organizations based in the UK have voiced their concerns, as stated by a spokesperson for the Sikh Federation (UK). The organizations have expressed worry over Sunak's recent actions and described them as troubling, given what they perceive as a trend of suspicion towards the British Sikh community by the UK government, allegedly under pressure from the Indian government.
24-Apr-2023
According to sources, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) plans to travel to London to investigate the pro-Khalistani protests and acts of vandalism that occurred outside the Indian High Commission on March 19. As part of this investigation, the NIA intends to interview several individuals and review CCTV footage captured by cameras installed outside the Commission's premises.
02-Apr-2023
According to reports, Avtar Singh Khanda, who is believed to have orchestrated the violent incident at the Indian High Commission in London on March 19, leads a dual life in the United Kingdom (UK). There is evidence to suggest that Avtar Singh Khanda alias Azaad who is seeking political asylum in the UK, is actually Ranjodh Singh, the self-proclaimed leader of the designated terrorist group Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF). It is worth noting that Khanda's father, Kulwant Singh Khukrana, was also a KLF terrorist who was killed by security forces in 1991. Reports from both London and New Delhi indicate that it is likely that Khanda, using the alias Ranjodh Singh, is responsible for issuing KLF press statements that accuse the Indian government of committing acts of violence against the Sikh community worldwide. Khanda, who was at the forefront of the March 19 protests in London and is mentioned in the First Information Report (FIR) filed by the Delhi Police regarding the incident. It is also reported that the UK security establishment and police did not take any action at the time. Intelligence sources also indicate that Khanda, who uses the names "Avvtar Singh Azaad" and "Ranjodh Singh" on his Facebook profile, is planning to claim responsibility for future terrorist attacks in India, particularly targeting Punjab. His objective is to radicalize young people in Punjab, as well as in countries such as the UK, Canada, the US, Germany, and Australia, and incite support for the so-called Khalistan movement against India.
31-Mar-2023
As per reports from Pakistani media, the pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and its leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun have initiated legal proceedings at the London High Court (LHC), United Kingdom (UK) against Indian-origin Tory Party's Lord Rami Ranger for making false allegations that they are agents of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and are receiving money from the state of Pakistan for running high-profile Khalistan movement.
25-Mar-2023
A group of Khalistani supporters gathered outside the British parliament in London, United Kingdom (UK) on March 25 to protest against the police actions against fugitive Waris Punjab De (WPD) leader Amritpal Singh, as part of similar protests in Canada and the United States (US). The protesters carrying pro-Khalistan flags and banners in support of Amritpal Singh were chanting for the release of Amritpal Singh, who has yet to be arrested by the police.
25-Mar-2023
Bob Blackman, a Member of Parliament (MP) from the British Conservative party, requested a ban on the Khalistani group within the United Kingdom (UK). He expressed concern that the country is currently sheltering Khalistani terrorists and has called for a discussion in the government to determine what measures can be taken to hold these individuals accountable and prevent their presence in the country.
22-Mar-2023
In support of Waris Punjab De (WPD) leader Amritpal Singh, a fresh pro-Khalistan protest was held on March 22 at the Indian High Commission in London, United Kingdom (UK). The protest, which lasted for three hours, turned violent as some of the protesters threw water bottles and smoke flares at the main gate of the Indian High Commission. It is worth noting that the High Commission building had previously been attacked by pro-Khalistan supporters during a related demonstration. Despite this, the Metropolitan Police were able to prevent the protesters from reaching the building this time around.
22-Mar-2023
The Indian envoy to the United Kingdom, Vikram Doraiswami, addressed all Sikhs residing in the United Kingdom (UK), providing an explanation of the ongoing crackdown against Amritpal Singh in Punjab and appealing to them to refrain from believing and spreading unfounded rumors and false information on social media.
22-Mar-2023
Harman Singh Kapoor, a Sikh restaurant owner in London's Hammersmith area in the United Kingdom (UK), has stated that he was forced to shut down his establishment following an alleged attack on March 22 by pro-Khalistan supporters. According to Kapoor, a group of individuals arrived at his restaurant with "concealed weapons" and began pounding on the glass doors while shouting racial obscenities in Punjabi. The attack occurred after Kapoor, who has a significant social media following of over 30,000 on TikTok, uploaded videos that criticized the Khalistan movement and mocked Amritpal Singh.