KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
01-Aug-2024
United States (US) State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel on August 1 reiterated the expectation for accountability from India regarding the alleged involvement of an Indian government employee in a failed assassination attempt against US citizen and Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Patel confirmed that the US continues to address these concerns directly with the Indian government.
25-Jul-2024
Harmeet Dhillon, a conservative activist who faced criticism from some conservative Christians after delivering a Sikh prayer at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, recently defended her actions by emphasizing that the Republican Party is inclusive and welcoming to people of all faiths, including her own, while speaking to The Christian Post. She stated that her intention was to show that Sikhs and their beliefs are welcome within the party. Critics online labelled her prayer to Waheguru, the Sikh name for God, as incompatible with Christian beliefs, while Dhillon argued that Waheguru is the same God worshipped by all monotheistic religions.
22-Jul-2024
Dr. Rajwant Singh, Chairman of the Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE), welcomed Kamala Harris's candidacy for United States President on July 22 in Washington, DC. He praised President Joe Biden's endorsement and decision to step down. Singh highlighted Harris's leadership, her stance against hate crimes, and her support within the Sikh community in the US. He expressed confidence that Harris would gain widespread support and help change America's political direction.
19-Jul-2024
Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi on July 19 denounced the “racist response” to Republican National Committeewoman Harmeet Dhillon’s recital of the Sikh prayer 'ardas' in the presence of the party’s presidential nominee Donald Trump, which took place on July 15 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the United States (US).
19-Jul-2024
Jake Sullivan, the United States (US) National Security Advisor (NSA), on July 19, while speaking at the Aspen Security Forum in Aspen, Colorado, stated that discussions with India regarding the alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun have been "respectful" and "effective." Sullivan highlighted the constructive and confidential nature of the dialogue, noting that the US has clearly communicated its stance to India, which has denied the allegations but is conducting an internal investigation. Additionally, he stressed the importance of deepening the US-India relationship, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
17-Jul-2024
Sarah Adams, a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Targeting Officer, revealed in an episode of the Shawn Ryan Show that India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) is actively conducting operations in Pakistan and Afghanistan. She claimed that RAW has formed ties with the Afghan Taliban, allocating USD 10 million to protect Taliban leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada. In return, the Taliban targets Kashmiri and Sikh militant leaders in Pakistan. Adams stated that RAW agents, primarily Afghans and some Pakistanis, operate from militant camps in Afghanistan, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) serving as a strategic base for these operations.
17-Jul-2024
Pakistani journalist Jahanzaib Ali raised the question of possible foreign government involvement in the assassination plot of former United States (US) President Donald Trump, linking it to the assassination attempt on Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, during a Department of Defense press briefing in Washington, DC, on July 17. Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder referred him to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Secret Service for further information, underscoring Secretary Austin's condemnation of violence and its incongruence with democratic principles.
15-Jul-2024
On July 15, American lawyer and Republican Party official Harmeet Dhillon concluded the Republican National Convention with a Sikh prayer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States (US), sparking a social media backlash from users who deemed it anti-Christian. Ironically, Dhillon, who has previously expressed pro-Khalistani sentiments and has a history of supporting Khalistani figures, has consistently targeted India with unsubstantiated accusations of extrajudicial killings of Khalistani activists, human rights violations, and suppression of press and religious freedoms.
14-Jul-2024
Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned outfit Sikh For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, condemned the assassination attempt on President Donald Trump by equating it with alleged actions by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that Modi boasts of killing his political opponents both domestically and abroad. He also accused the Indian government of using political violence and transnational repression against pro-Khalistan Sikhs in Canada and the United States.
11-Jul-2024
Jasdip Singh Jassee, head of Sikh Americans for Trump, said that the June 27 presidential debate impacted Donald Trump's popularity and expressed strong support for him ahead of the Republican National Convention. As the community heads to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Jassee highlighted the increased support for Trump among the Sikh and broader South Asian communities, attributing it to dissatisfaction with current policies under President Biden. Jassee emphasized the importance of a fair and legal election for Trump's potential victory, while also noting the challenges in immigration, crime, and economic policies.
28-Jun-2024
Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national accused of plotting to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, appeared before Federal Senior Judge Victor Marrero on June 28 in New York, United States (US). The judge scheduled the next court date for September 13. Prosecutors alleged that Gupta conspired with an Indian government employee to target Pannun.
26-Jun-2024
United States (US) Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, during an online press briefing on June 26, stated that the US believes India is carefully considering potential institutional reforms following allegations of a plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Campbell highlighted that the US has consistently sought updates from India on the inquiry and emphasized the importance of accountability. He acknowledged India's responsiveness and confirmed that discussions have been held at the highest levels of leadership.
19-Jun-2024
United States (US) Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, criticized the Biden administration in an interview on June 19, stating it would be a "huge mistake" to prioritize its geopolitical relationship with India over holding Prime Minister Narendra Modi accountable for the alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. US prosecutors have accused an Indian government agent of directing the plot as part of a broader effort to target critics abroad. Despite ongoing US-India cooperation, Van Hollen emphasized the need to uphold US standards and laws.
17-Jun-2024
Indian national Nikhil Gupta, a suspect in the attempted assassination case of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, pleaded not guilty on June 17 in a United States (US) federal court before Magistrate Judge James Cott in New York. Gupta was extradited from the Czech Republic on June 14, 2024. Gupta's lawyer, Jeffrey Chabrowe, emphasized the complexity of the case and cautioned against rushing to judgment, while Assistant Federal Prosecutor Ashley Nichols outlined the charges, including Gupta's alleged connections to narcotics and weapons trafficking.
17-Jun-2024
On June 17, a group of Democratic senators, including Jeff Merkley, Ron Wyden, Tim Kaine, Bernie Sanders, and Chris Van Hollen, sent a letter to United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging the Biden administration to respond strongly to allegations of an Indian plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the US. The senators emphasized accountability and human rights.
17-Jun-2024
Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national accused of plotting to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, pleaded not guilty on June 17 in a federal court in New York, United States (US). US Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized that the Justice Department will not tolerate efforts to harm American citizens. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray reiterated their commitment to protecting constitutionally-protected freedoms. Meanwhile, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Anne Milgram described Gupta as an international narcotics trafficker.
16-Jun-2024
According to sources, Indian national Nikhil Gupta, accused in the assassination plot against Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has been extradited to the United States (US) from the Czech Republic. The extradition followed a significant international legal process, highlighting cooperation between US and Czech law enforcement agencies.
10-Jun-2024
According to reports, American-Sikh lawyer Jaspreet Singh recently approached United States (US) Vice-President Kamala Harris to intervene in the release of Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh, who is jailed in Dibrugarh, Assam, on terror charges under the National Security Act (NSA). Singh argued that Amritpal Singh's detention is unjust and plans to engage over a hundred US Congressmen to pressure the Indian government for his release.
07-Jun-2024
An Indian-origin man identified as Bhushan Athale was charged with a federal hate crime for allegedly threatening employees of a Sikh non-profit organization in Dallas, Texas, in the United States (US) on June 7. According to the US Department of Justice (DoJ), Athale is accused of threatening to use a dangerous weapon and transmitting an interstate threat to injure another person on September 17, 2022.
18-May-2024
According to reports, Khalistani operative Kamal Singh Soorma was recently apprehended by United States (US) police with 50 kilograms of cocaine valued at USD 1.5 million. The arrest, captured on video, shows Soorma feigning unconsciousness twice in a failed escape attempt. Sources suggest that this cocaine trail is connected to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and its funding of anti-India activities.