KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
02-Dec-2023
Three Khalistan supporters, identified as Sarvjeet Sidhu, Sukhpreet Singh, and an individual with an interim name suppression, were recently sentenced for the attempted murder of popular Auckland-based radio host Harnek Singh, who opposed Khalistan ideology in Auckland, New Zealand. The attackers ambushed Singh on December 23, 2020, inflicting over 40 stab wounds. Sarvjeet Sidhu pleaded guilty to attempted murder, Sukhpreet Singh was found guilty of being an accessory, while the third unnamed individual planned the attack, harboring resentment against Harnek Singh for his vocal opposition to Khalistan. The court emphasized community protection and deterrence against religious fanaticism in the sentencing.
01-Dec-2023
According to sources, on December 1, a high-ranking Indian delegation led by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director Praveen Sood, which includes National Investigation Agency (NIA) director-general Dinkar Gupta, urged other member countries in the 91st Interpol General Assembly in Vienna, Austria, to deny safe havens to crime, criminals, and the proceeds of crime. The plea follows India's efforts to extradite or deport alleged terrorists, including pro-Khalistan elements, from countries like Canada, the United States (US), and the United Kingdom (UK).
01-Dec-2023
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on December 1 declared that India has geolocated 184 criminals in various countries and initiated formal proceedings for their return with the help of Interpol and the respective countries’ law enforcement agencies at the 91st General Assembly of Interpol in Vienna, Austria.
01-Dec-2023
According to sources, Indian citizen Nikhil Gupta, accused by the US of plotting to kill Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, was transferred from a high-security prison in Prague to the United States (US) jurisdiction in mid-November, days before the indictment was filed in a New York court. Gupta, who was arrested in Prague on June 30, faced allegations of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire at the behest of an Indian official.
30-Nov-2023
A prominent Sikh campaigner, Bhabishan Singh Goraya, has recently called for justice, expressing concern about his community being unfairly accused after a Hindu temple was vandalized on March 3, 2023, with graffiti implicating Sikhs, in Brisbane, Australia.
29-Nov-2023
The United States (US) Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, on November 29, in Tel Aviv in Israel, stated that he welcomed the Indian government's decision to investigate allegations of an Indian official's involvement in a foiled plot to murder Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Blinken called the investigation 'good and appropriate,' emphasizing the seriousness of the matter and noting that it has been raised with the Indian government in recent weeks.
25-Nov-2023
A Sikh man identified as Gurdev Singh was shot dead on November 25 in Manila city, Philippines, where he worked as a financier. Gurdev was returning home from work when unidentified assailants attacked him. He had been living in Manila for nearly five years, operating a financial business, and had recently visited his family in India. The family has sought the Indian government's assistance in repatriating Gurdev's remains and suspects financial issues might be a motive behind the killing.
16-Nov-2023
A Sikh restaurateur Jarnail Singh has reported multiple incidents of racial targeting in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, including dog excrement smeared on his car handles and racist graffiti in his driveway telling him to 'Go home, Indian.' Singh, who has lived in Australia for around 15 years, expressed the mental stress caused by the incidents and reported the matter to the police. Tasmania Police Commander Jason Elmer stated that the incidents are under investigation, and legislation allows for considering racial motivation as an aggravating factor in sentencing.
13-Nov-2023
K S Mohammed Hussain, the first secretary at New Delhi’s permanent mission to the United Nations (UN), on November 13 urged Canada to prevent the misuse of freedom of expression for inciting violence and to curb the activities of extremist groups, during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Canada's human rights records at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Switzerland. India specifically urged Canada to address Khalistani extremists who are running a secessionist campaign from within Canada. Additionally, India called on Canada to safeguard places of worship for religious and racial minorities and to address hate crimes.
12-Oct-2023
During an Asia Society event in Sydney on October 12, Manpreet Vohra, the Indian High Commissioner to Australia, stated that Canada's claims regarding India's involvement in the assassination of a Sikh separatist leader have had minimal impact on India's diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific region. He mentioned that while Australia initially called for an investigation following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's accusations, there has been limited response from Southeast Asia and other areas.
03-Oct-2023
The Queensland Police recently clarified that they have not concluded that Hindus orchestrated the vandalism of a temple in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, in March 2023. They have not released any such statement, despite media reports alleging Hindus' involvement instead of Khalistan extremists. The police explained that the case was filed due to a lack of evidence and that they will continue to investigate if new information becomes available. Initially, the temple vandalism was attributed to Khalistan extremists, and despite five Hindu temples being vandalized in the past eight months, no arrests have been made.
02-Oct-2023
Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee France and the European Sikh Organization on October 2 organized a protest against the alleged persecution of Sikhs in India under the leadership of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, in Paris, France. The protesters displayed Khalistan flags, placards, and banners featuring prominent Khalistan leaders, including Amritpal Singh. The protesters chanted pro-Khalistan, anti-India, and anti-Modi slogans, expressing their determination to achieve Khalistan, a separate homeland for Sikhs.
26-Sep-2023
According to sources, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) special team has located Khalistani terrorists Satnam Singh Satta in Greece, and Amrik Singh and Mandeep Singh in the Philippines. Cases have been registered against them under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for their involvement in supporting and fundraising for the Khalistan movement. The NIA has shared this information with Indian agencies, including the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), as well as authorities in Greece and the Philippines. These individuals are also on a list of fugitive Khalistani terrorists subject to property confiscation due to their anti-India activities.
25-Sep-2023
The diplomatic dispute between India and Canada sparked a debate on Chinese social media regarding China's stance on the issue. Chinese users were divided between supporting India and the Khalistan movement, reflecting a limited understanding of India's ethnic diversity. Chinese state media extensively covered the tensions, with discussions on the topic gaining significant attention. While some suggested that China should support the Khalistan movement, others cautioned against such involvement, emphasizing the need to avoid causing trouble for India.
18-Sep-2023
A spokesperson for Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed deep concern over Prime Minister Trudeau's allegations against India. Australia is actively engaging with its partners regarding these developments and has conveyed its concerns to India at senior levels.
07-Sep-2023
According to a New Zealand Herald report, a Sikh rapper in New Zealand with 40,000 TikTok followers sought refugee protection due to threats from India after insulting another artist in his songs. Despite his fears for his safety if he returned to India, the Immigration and Protection Tribunal declined his appeal and upheld the earlier refusal of his refugee status application.
15-Aug-2023
Khalistan supporters disrupted an Indian Independence Day observance by staging protests at a celebration venue in Sydney, Australia on August 15.
13-Aug-2023
On August 13, two alleged Indian terrorists, identified as Manpreet Singh Gill and Mandeep Singh, were deported from the Philippines to India, according to Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco. They were arrested in Iloilo City in the Philippines on March 7 and were believed to be involved in terrorist activities in Punjab, India.
08-Aug-2023
A video circulated on social media on August 8, showing Khalistan supporter Laddi Lahoria being reportedly beaten inside his car by three unidentified youths with sticks after he made derogatory remarks against Hindus in Australia. Lahoria was sitting inside his car in an underground parking where this incident took place.
30-Jul-2023
According to reports, a Delhi Police Special Cell is expected to reach Azerbaijan by July 30 to facilitate the arrest of gangster Sachin Bishnoi, a key conspirator in the Punjabi singer Siddhu Moose Wala murder case. Sachin Bishnoi, nephew of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, had been on the run since the murder in May last year and had fled the country using a forged passport. His extradition is expected to reveal crucial information about the murder case. Sachin was detained in Azerbaijan a few days ago, and now the process of bringing him back to India will be initiated with the arrival of the Indian security team.