KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
16-Dec-2023
Five Indian American lawmakers - Ro Khanna (CA-17), Ami Bera (CA-06), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), and Shri Thanedar (MI-13) - on December 16 expressed concern over the alleged actions outlined in the indictment of Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national charged in connection with a foiled plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Following a classified briefing, the representatives appreciated the US administration's update and welcomed India's announcement of a Committee of Enquiry to investigate the matter. They emphasized the importance of a thorough investigation, accountability, and assurances from India to prevent any recurrence. The lawmakers expressed concern that these actions could potentially damage the significant US-India partnership.
15-Dec-2023
A prominent Indian-American Sikh leader, Jassee Singh, from the Sikhs of America, stated in an interview with PTI that neither the Sikh community nor the United States (US) government supports the Khalistan movement. He commended the Modi government for unprecedented efforts but suggested addressing remaining issues directly with the Sikh community. Singh also emphasized the need for a comprehensive developmental package for Punjab, addressing challenges like drug problems among the youth.
15-Dec-2023
Officials from the Joe Biden administration on December 15 briefed five Indian-American lawmakers — Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Shri Thaneda — on the indictment of Nikhil Gupta, an Indian accused of plotting to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The lawmakers expressed deep concern over the allegations and welcomed India's decision to conduct an inquiry.
15-Dec-2023
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) on December 15 issued a statement urging the State Department to designate India a "Country of Particular Concern" (CPC) due to concerns about religious freedom violations. The USCIRF cited the murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and an alleged plot to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Despite four years of recommendations, the State Department has not designated India as a CPC, emphasizing the delicate bilateral partnership. The USCIRF expressed alarm over India's increasing transnational targeting of religious minorities and those advocating for them.
10-Dec-2023
During a rally car event held on December 10, over 1,000 pro-Khalistani attendees accused the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Indian Prime Minister (PM) Modi of involvement in the murder plot of Khalistani leaders and displayed wanted posters of Modi at San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge in the United States (US). At the rally, over 1,000 vehicles displayed Khalistan flags and 'Wanted' banners accusing Indian officials, PM Modi, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, and Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu. Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun also announced the commencement of a Khalistan referendum in San Francisco on January 28 and vowed to prosecute Modi for alleged crimes against Sikhs, Muslims, and Christians.
08-Dec-2023
United States (US) National Security spokesperson John Kirby, in Washington DC, US, on December 8 emphasized India's strategic partnership with the US while urging a thorough investigation into the alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. He also stressed that despite the gravity of the situation, the White House aims to continue and deepen the strategic partnership with India.
06-Dec-2023
Spokesperson for the United States (US) State Department Matthew Miller on December 6 deferred comments on the ongoing investigation into India's alleged assassination attempt on Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. He stated that assessments of India's cooperation would be made after the inquiries are concluded.
06-Dec-2023
According to reports, Sikh Americans are increasingly concerned about their safety following an alleged Indian government plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the United States (US). The recent federal indictment in New York, accusing an Indian government official of a foiled assassination plot, has heightened fears that Sikhs in the US are being monitored by the Indian government. Some Sikh temples in California and New Jersey are enhancing security measures, and individuals are taking precautions, such as tempering social media posts and considering self-defense measures. The Sikh community, already a target of hate crimes, feels deeply traumatized by the recent revelations.
06-Dec-2023
A bipartisan group of United States (US) Senators on December 6 criticized India during a Congressional hearing, citing disturbing allegations of an Indian official's involvement in planning to assassinate Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Senator Ben Cardin, the committee chairman, expressed concern over India's alleged role in the killing of Canadian Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and the labelling of critics as terrorists by the Modi government.
05-Dec-2023
According to a report by The New York Times, Sikh Americans are increasing security measures amid fears of Indian government interference. This comes in the wake of a foiled assassination plot against Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the United States (US). The indictment heightened concerns that Sikhs face surveillance and threats from India. Sikhs, easily identifiable by religious attire, have a history of discrimination in the US, exacerbated after 9/11.
01-Dec-2023
White House spokesperson John Kirby on November 30 emphasized that charges of Indian involvement in the alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani extremist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on United States (US) soil will not impact Washington's strategic ties with New Delhi.
30-Nov-2023
According to sources, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has identified around 30 Khalistani supporters involved in vandalizing the Indian High Commission in San Francisco in the United States (US) during attacks on March 19 and July 2. Through crowdsourcing, the NIA ascertained the identities of the accused, who were allegedly radicalized online in Punjab and Haryana before being sent abroad to carry out the attacks. The investigation is expanding to explore links to fundraising, smuggling, trafficking, and broader instances of radicalization, with collaboration between the NIA and San Francisco authorities.
29-Nov-2023
The United States Department of Justice (DoJ) on November 29 charged an Indian national identified as Nikhil Gupta alias Nick, with murder-for-hire in connection with a foiled plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The charges were filed at the Southern District Court of New York in the US. The plot was allegedly directed by an Indian government employee referred to as CC-1. Gupta was arrested in the Czech Republic, in Europe.
29-Nov-2023
A female staff writer for TIME magazine, Rajvanshi, on November 29 deleted her social media account on site X after allegedly receiving online attacks from assets associated with the Indian government, following her interview with Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun about the foiled Indian assassination attempt on United States (US) soil.
27-Nov-2023
Sikhs of America, an American Sikh body, on November 27 condemned the heckling of India's Ambassador to the United States (US), Taranjit Singh Sandhu, during a visit to a New York gurdwara over the weekend. They urged the shrine's management to take strict action against those involved in the incident, which included Khalistani supporters disrupting Sandhu's prayers and violating the sanctity of the gurdwara.
27-Nov-2023
Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, on November 27, in an interview with the TIME, alleged that the Indian government seeks to kill him for leading the global Khalistan referendum campaign. He argued that the video in which he was threatening Air India passengers was a call for boycott, not violence. Pannun placed the responsibility on the Joe Biden administration for his protection, asserting that his case challenges American sovereignty and poses a threat to freedom of speech.
26-Nov-2023
A group of Khalistani supporters on November 26 attempted to heckle India’s Ambassador to the United States (US), Taranjit Singh Sandhu, at Guru Nanak Darbar in Long Island in New York. Despite the disturbance, Mr. Sandhu celebrated Gurpurab, emphasizing Guru Nanak's message of togetherness. According to sources, the hecklers accused Ambassador Sandhu of involvement in a failed plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and the Khalistan Referendum campaign, as well as India's role in the assassination of another Khalistani terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Canada.
23-Nov-2023
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and a designated Khalistani terrorist, on November 23 termed the alleged plot to assassinate him as 'transnational terrorism' in a statement. He stated that it poses a threat to United States (US) sovereignty.
22-Nov-2023
A report by the United Kingdom (UK)-based daily Financial Times on November 22 claimed that the United States (US) reportedly foiled an assassination conspiracy against Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on its soil and warned India about potential involvement. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, stated that during recent discussions on India-US security cooperation, the US shared concerning inputs about the nexus between organized criminals, gun-runners, and terrorists. Both countries are taking the information seriously, and India is already examining the issues raised by the US. White House spokesperson Adrienne Watson stated that Indian counterparts expressed surprise and concern, disavowing such activity as not their policy.
22-Nov-2023
White House spokesperson Adrienne Watson on November 22, in Washington DC, stated that the United States (US) has informed India about an alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil. The statement emphasized the need for accountability and mentioned that the US has filed a sealed indictment against at least one suspect.