KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
23-Mar-2025
Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of the banned terror outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), on March 23, in Los Angeles, California, United States (US) thanked the Donald Trump administration for allowing the Khalistan Referendum despite alleged pressure from India to halt it. During the event, he also labelled Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval as “political targets” facing an impending “political death.
08-Mar-2025
The BAPS Hindu Temple in Chino Hills, California, was vandalized with inflammatory messages on March 8, just days before a so-called 'Khalistan referendum' in Los Angeles. BAPS Public Affairs condemned the act, reaffirming their commitment to peace and unity. The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) highlighted the recurring pattern of temple desecrations and called for an investigation. Similar incidents last year, including vandalism at BAPS temples in Sacramento and New York, have raised concerns over rising anti-Hindu hate.
05-Mar-2025
According to sources, Indian national Nikhil Gupta, accused of plotting to assassinate Khalistani terrorist and Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York, is set to go on trial in the United States (US) by mid-2025. A US court has directed Gupta and the prosecution to propose a trial date in June or July. Extradited from Prague, Czech Republic, in 2023, Gupta has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder-for-hire and conspiracy, each carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years. The indictment alleges he was in contact with former R&AW agent Vikash Yadav to orchestrate the assassination.
01-Mar-2025
The Khalistani terrorist outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) on March 1 organized a pro-Khalistan car rally in Fresno, California, United States (US) with over 500 vehicles displaying Khalistan flags and banners. The rally featured slogans supporting Khalistan and an effigy of Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi in shackles. It also promoted the upcoming Khalistan Referendum vote scheduled for March 23 in Los Angeles, US.
20-Feb-2025
Khalistani terrorist and Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in response to allegations of mistreatment of Sikh migrants by the Donald Trump administration, stated, “I have nothing to do with the civil rights of Sikhs. I’m not working on civil rights at all," effectively disowning Sikh human rights issues. Sources questioned his silence, calling it “selective advocacy” despite his claims of championing Sikh rights. Pannun, who faces multiple charges in India, including sedition and terrorism, has been actively promoting Khalistani extremism and receiving foreign funding for subversive activities. His failure to condemn migrant mistreatment has raised concerns over his true motives.
13-Feb-2025
Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agent Ghulam Nabi Fai on February 13 led a pro-Khalistan protest outside the White House ahead of Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s meeting with United States (US) President Donald Trump in Washington, DC. Fai, a convicted criminal previously jailed in the US for operating as an undisclosed agent of Pakistan, has a history of lobbying against India. His protest is seen as Pakistan’s attempt to push its propaganda during PM Modi’s crucial visit. Experts have dismissed the Khalistan issue as irrelevant, highlighting Pakistan’s desperation in raising baseless concerns.
13-Feb-2025
United States (US) President Donald Trump was questioned about the presence of Khalistani elements in the US during a press conference with Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on February 13 in Washington, DC. While he did not directly address the question, he highlighted US-India collaboration in combating crime. He also emphasized the approval of Tahawwur Rana’s extradition to India, a key suspect in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, reinforcing both nations’ commitment to addressing security threats and organized crime.
13-Feb-2025
Sukhjit (Sukhi) Singh Chahal, founder and CEO of The Khalsa Today, a Sikh advocacy organization and think tank in the United States (US), on February 13 congratulated former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard on her US Senate confirmation as Director of National Intelligence (DNI). Last month, Chahal had joined an interfaith coalition urging the media to reject anti-Hindu prejudice ahead of Gabbard’s confirmation hearing. The coalition, comprising Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jewish, and Sikh leaders, condemned biased portrayals of Hindus in the media.
06-Feb-2025
According to reports, judges in the United States (US) have rejected asylum claims of illegal immigrants seeking refuge under the pretext of being Khalistani supporters. Many have been deported, as even Khalistani leaders refused to support their claims in court. A deported Sikh warned others against entering the US illegally, stating that courts have become stricter. Reports also reveal that false persecution certificates were issued in exchange for money to facilitate asylum claims abroad.
28-Jan-2025
According to sources, the United States (US) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has recently intensified its crackdown on illegal immigrants, including visits to gurdwaras in New York and New Jersey. This move has drawn sharp criticism from Sikh organizations and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). The DHS action follows the removal of protections for “sensitive” areas like places of worship, causing anxiety among immigrant communities, particularly Punjabis who entered the US illegally. Sikh groups have condemned these actions as a threat to religious sanctity, urging authorities to reconsider and ensure accountability in enforcement practices.
28-Jan-2025
Davinder Singh Bhoprai of the Sikh Cultural Centre Gurdwara in Richmond Hill, New York, on January 28, refuted media reports about raids by the United States (US) Department of Homeland Security at gurdwaras in New York and New Jersey, calling them false. He stressed that no such incidents had occurred and that gurdwaras remain places of worship and peace. Giani Dharamvir Singh, head priest of Gurdwara Sikh Cultural Society, also denied the claims, stating that misinformation was causing unnecessary panic. Sikh activist Japneet Singh confirmed that while a gurdwara in New York was visited by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), no raids took place.
22-Jan-2025
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on January 22 pressed for accountability over the 2023 arson attack on India’s consulate in San Francisco by Khalistani extremists during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, DC. Jaishankar described the incident as a “very serious matter” and called for the perpetrators to be held accountable. The U.S. has condemned the attack, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) prioritizing the investigation, though progress remains unclear.
20-Jan-2025
Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, attended the swearing-in ceremony of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States (US) at Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on January 20. Reports indicate that Pannun gained entry to the high-profile event by purchasing a ticket. A video has surfaced online showing him chanting pro-Khalistan slogans during the ceremony.
17-Jan-2025
Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national jailed in the United States (US) for his alleged role in a murder-for-hire plot targeting Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, claimed in an interview with The Print that he has been falsely implicated and pressured to plead guilty. Gupta, who was arrested in Prague in June 2023 and later extradited to the US, denied all allegations, including any association with former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officer Vikash Yadav. He criticized the lack of consular support and described harsh prison conditions, emphasizing his urgent need for a competent lawyer to contest the charges. Gupta further alleged that the accusations are politically motivated and aimed at tarnishing India's reputation.
17-Jan-2025
The United States (US) Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York on January 17 announced plans to seek a waiver of the "rule of specialty" under the extradition treaty with the Czech Republic in order to expand charges against Indian businessman Nikhil Gupta. Gupta, extradited in June 2024 for conspiracy and murder-for-hire charges, now faces additional counts of money laundering in a superseding indictment. The Czech Ministry of Justice stated no waiver request had been received but noted that domestic law allows for the extension of extradition upon request. Legal experts have pointed out inconsistencies in US court rulings regarding waiving the rule of specialty in extradition cases.
15-Jan-2025
Sikh activist Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa passed away at 91 on January 15 in New York, United States (US). Renowned for his dedication to the release of captive Sikh prisoners, he began a hunger strike on January 16, 2015, which continued until January 14, 2023, marking one of Punjab's longest and most significant non-violent protests. The Akal Takht and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami extended condolences, honoring his life as a beacon of sacrifice and his unwavering fight for justice and human rights.
13-Jan-2025
According to sources close to Nikhil Gupta’s family, the Indian national was arrested in Prague, Czech Republic, in June 2023 and extradited to the United States in June 2024 for his alleged involvement in a murder-for-hire plot targeting Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Gupta, a handicraft business owner, has pleaded not guilty and requested a government-appointed lawyer due to financial constraints. His family claims no support from the Indian government, while Gupta continues to face challenging prison conditions, maintaining his innocence.
11-Jan-2025
Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national indicted in the US for a murder-for-hire plot against Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has claimed innocence, alleging fabricated evidence and mistaken identity. He stated he received consular access in Prague but none since his extradition. Gupta, unable to afford private legal representation, criticised his court-appointed counsel's lack of expertise. Denying any connection to alleged co-conspirator Vikash Yadav, he described his imprisonment as a traumatic experience.
09-Jan-2025
Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national extradited to the United States (US) in June 2023 for his alleged role in a murder-for-hire plot targeting Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has claimed in an interview with The Indian Express that he has not received consular access from the Indian government since his extradition. Gupta, currently detained at a Brooklyn facility in New York, denies the charges, alleging that the evidence against him has been fabricated. His family has reportedly submitted multiple requests for consular assistance but has yet to receive a response.
02-Jan-2025
The Stockton Police Department is investigating the December 23 killing of Sunil Yadav, a drug smuggler allegedly targeted by a Punjabi gang linked to violence against pro-Khalistan leaders, in Stockton, United States (US). Although police have not confirmed local gang involvement, the incident has raised concerns within the Sikh community. Authorities, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), are working with community leaders to address safety concerns and further investigate the case.