KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
24-Oct-2024
A New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) spokesperson stated on October 24 in Auckland that New Zealand recognizes India's sovereignty and territorial integrity, responding to a non-official “referendum” call by the Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) for a separate Sikh state in India.
23-Oct-2024
Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on October 23 called for united global efforts to combat terrorism and criticised double standards on the issue, while speaking at the BRICS summit in Kazan in Russia. He indirectly addressed countries like China, Canada, and the United States (US) for not acting decisively against terrorists and extremists. Modi also emphasised the need for reforms in global institutions like the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts.
15-Oct-2024
According to reports, Indian National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval informed Canadian officials about Lawrence Bishnoi's extensive reach and ability to orchestrate violence even while incarcerated, during a secret meeting in Singapore. The discussions also included evidence suggesting that India had leveraged Bishnoi's gang networks in Canada to carry out violent acts, including the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
12-Oct-2024
A report in The Globe and Mail states that Canada proposed a de-escalation strategy to India on October 12 during a meeting in Singapore. The strategy included suggestions for India to voluntarily withdraw six diplomats, instruct gangster Lawrence Bishnoi to cease his syndicate’s activities in Canada, and expand India’s inquiry into the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Alternatively, Canada proposed conducting a joint investigation into Nijjar's death.
10-Oct-2024
On October 10, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos. After the meeting, PM Trudeau stated that there was no substantive discussion but acknowledged that both sides had work to do to improve relations. Indian government sources emphasized that ties cannot be repaired unless Canada takes strict and verifiable action against Khalistani separatists and prevents anti-India activities on its soil.
15-Sep-2024
Surinder Singh Parmar, a member of the Austrian Sikh community, highlighted on September 15 in Vienna, Austria, that while Sikhism is officially recognized, it lacks comprehensive judicial protection. Sikhs must comprise at least 2% of the population for their faith to achieve full legal recognition, which poses challenges in addressing sacrilege issues through the courts. Despite this, Sikhs can use "Singh" and "Kaur" in official documents and list Sikhism as their religion. Parmar emphasized that judicial recognition would significantly benefit the community in practicing and promoting Sikhism.
28-Aug-2024
Authorities in Qatar on August 28 handed over two swaroops of Guru Granth Sahib, which had been seized from an Indian national in a case related to running a religious establishment without approvals, to the Indian Embassy in Doha. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had taken up the issue with Qatar and prioritized the matter due to its significance to the Sikh community.
16-Aug-2024
A report by The Saturday Paper claims that the 'nest of spies' uncovered by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO), initially speculated to be Russian, was actually linked to India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). The report alleges that RAW's aggressive actions against the Indian diaspora include attempts to assassinate Sikh separatists and other covert operations. Despite the evidence, Australian authorities have not officially confirmed the expulsion of Indian intelligence operatives.
19-Jul-2024
The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of the Rajasthan Police arrested an accomplice of notorious gangster Rohit Godara, identified as Amarjeet Singh Bishnoi, in Sicily, Italy. The arrest was facilitated through collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA), leading to his detention by Italian authorities on July 8. Bishnoi had been evading capture since December 2022, following the murder of rival gangster Raju Theth by the Rohit Godara gang, and had been living in Italy without proper documents.
24-Jun-2024
According to Pakistani sources, the Sikh community recently organized an anti-India protest in Paris, France, joined by the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Forum. During the demonstration, protesters condemned what they described as Indian atrocities against minorities in India and in the region referred to as “Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.”
18-Jun-2024
A report by ABC News titled "Four Corners" alleged that Indian spies, posing as diplomats, were expelled from Australia for spying on the Indian diaspora and targeting Khalistani activists like Harjinder Singh, who received threats. This follows the controversy over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. The report claims Indian intelligence sought sensitive defence information and infiltrated Australian politics, involving figures like Rahul Jethi of Overseas Friends of the BJP (OFBJP), who allegedly holds influence in the Liberal Party.
17-Jun-2024
The Czech Republic Police released a video on June 17 showing Indian national Nikhil Gupta being extradited to the United States (US), which occurred on June 14.
16-Jun-2024
According to Australian media reports, the situation between Australia and India is becoming increasingly tense due to accusations from the Australian Sikh diaspora that India is using espionage and intimidation against them. This comes amid broader concerns about India's influence operations abroad, including the infiltration of Australian politics by pro-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organizations and ongoing surveillance of the Sikh community. Despite these challenges, Australia continues to value its relationship with India, balancing economic and strategic interests against the troubling allegations of foreign interference.
14-Jun-2024
When Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau met on June 14 during the G7 Summit in Bari, Italy, for the first time since Trudeau made allegations against India regarding the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the leaders discussed their bilateral relations but avoided public comments on sensitive issues. Amidst strained relations following the accusations and the arrest of four Indians in Canada linked to Nijjar's death, both leaders expressed a commitment to address significant concerns collaboratively.
14-Jun-2024
Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau met on June 14 for the first time since Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed in Surrey, Canada, at the G7 Summit in Bari, Italy. According to sources, the discussion highlighted ongoing concerns over Canada's tolerance of anti-India Khalistani elements.
12-Jun-2024
On June 12, a statue of Mahatma Gandhi was discovered to have been vandalized by a pro-Khalistani group in Brindisi, Italy, ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the country for the G7 Summit. The statue was defaced with graffiti referencing Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra confirmed India's swift response, stating that the matter was taken up with Italian authorities, who have initiated necessary actions.
09-Jun-2024
After being elected as a member of the Bundestag from the Bergedorf district on June 9, Parmod Kumar, originally from Amritsar, expressed his plans to advocate for the official recognition of Hinduism and Sikhism in Germany. His initiative includes proposals to integrate Hindi and Punjabi languages into the German educational system and to address local district issues.
01-Jun-2024
According to reports, the lawyers of Nikhil Gupta, who is currently detained in Prague, Czech Republic, for allegedly plotting to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and faces extradition to the United States (US), argued that Gupta acted under orders from the Indian secret service. However, Czech courts rejected this claim, emphasizing India's adherence to the rule of law. Both the Municipal and High Courts ruled in favour of extradition, and the Constitutional Court upheld these decisions, leaving the final decision to the Czech Ministry of Justice.
23-May-2024
On May 23, a spokesperson for the Czech Ministry of Justice stated to The Indian Express that Indian citizen Nikhil Gupta’s extradition will now be decided “expeditiously, without undue delay,” a day after the Czech Constitutional Court rejected his plea against extradition to the United States for allegedly plotting to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
22-May-2024
The Czech Constitutional Court in Brno on May 22 ruled that Indian national Nikhil Gupta, arrested for a murder-for-hire plot targeting Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, can be extradited to the United States (US). Czech Minister of Justice Pavel Blazek will make the final decision on the extradition.