Videos of Punjab Police confiscating “weapons” of Sikhs prompt concern

A viral video of Punjab Police officers randomly raiding the homes of Sikhs in Amritsar and confiscating what they claim are weapons is concerning countless Sikhs worldwide.

Punjab Police are the main branch of government used to carry out India’s Sikh genocide through the 80s and 90s and beyond. Many Sikhs fear the confiscation of weapons is a sign there will be an uptake in these murderous tactics of the Punjab Police. Sikhs are also mandated to keep and revere shastar (weapons) as per the Guru’s command, making Punjab Police’s operation discriminatory towards this faith practice.

A senior officer was recorded saying the “search operation” was being carried out across Amritsar, although the exact reason for it is unclear, as well as who specifically is being targeted. Currently, the raids seem to only be targeting Sikh homes arbitrarily. However, the recent assassination of a Hindutva (Hindu extremist) ultranationalist leader in the city is believed to be connected, whilst an ongoing Indian media campaign portraying Punjab as excessively violent and dangerous – which locals have challenged – will help justify these fascist actions of Punjab Police. India is ranked 150th of 180 countries for press freedom.

Tellingly, at one home the “weapons” confiscated included farming tools and pipes/rods used for construction, along with kirpans (swords part of the Sikh Amritdhari [initiated] uniform). It is likely near all Sikh families in an area like Amritsar, a sacred city for Sikhs, will house kirpans, meaning any Sikh family could be targeted for these raids.

A recent motion to ban not legally owned guns in Punjab but also the display and propagation of firearms in music from Punjab was pushed through last week by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. This Indian government crackdown on Punjab singles out the state despite stats showing gun ownership and violent assaults are higher in other states of India.

Sikhs remain anxiously fixated on events in Punjab. Updates on this situation will be published by Sikh PA when possible.