UK Gurdwara looking to take “legal action” against Indian nationalist influencer agitator

Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Southall, one of the world’s largest Sikh institutes outside of India, is looking to “initiate legal action” against a man who took to social media with defamatory statements about the Gurdwara and esteemed Sikh leader Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale.

The statement by SGSSS, made on 31st March, was referring to the previous week when Indian nationalist social media influencer Harman Singh Kapoor came outside both SGSSS Gurdwaras and made TikTok videos containing defamatory and malicious statements targeting the Gurdwara and Sant (Saint) Jarnail Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale, a Sikh leader revered by the Sikh community worldwide.

Although Kapoor is not specifically mentioned in the Gurdwara statement, it is understood he is the person being referred to. Kapoor is a known agitator that has long posted disrespectful anti-Sikh content on social media, insulting respected Sikh figures, organisations and movements. Other Indian nationalists accounts have referenced the statement, acknowledging it is about Kapoor. Sikh PA will not be sharing any links to his disrespectful content.

Kapoor has been amplified by orgs such as Indian State propagandists the Henry Jackson Society, pushing his claims his life is under threat from “Khalistanis” (supporters of a free Sikh homeland). Despite his claims of a threat to his life, he has himself admitted police say there is nothing to investigate. However, his provocation towards the Sikh community continues, with regular posts mocking and insulting respected Sikh figures, as well as ideas of Sikh sovereignty (specifically the Khalistan movement and supporters of it).

In the video which prompted the legal action, Kapoor shows both SGSSS Gurdwaras, on Guru Nanak Road and Park Avenue, claiming that images of Sant Ji (as Bhindrandwale is affectionately known within Sikh circles) had been taken down by the Gurdwara’s committee because of pressure from the UK and Indian governments. Kapoor makes the false claim despite the video clearly showing that scaffolding is up where a 7ftx4ft picture of the Sikh saint was previously up on Guru Nanak Road, and thus the picture was removed to prevent damage during the building work. Kapoor constantly refers to Sant Ji with derogatory and demeaning nicknames throughout the video in a manner typical of his divisive ways.

The Gurdwara committee expressed their disgust towards the slander said against Sant Ji saying, “We unequivocally state that any form of disrespect directed towards revered Sikh personalities will be met with the strongest possible legal recourse. Our commitment to preserving the dignity and honour of these figures is unwavering.” A social media statement from the committee said they are now “consulting with legal experts” to take preventative action against the agitator.

In a move concerning many Sikhs, UK Government Faith Advisor Colin Bloom, who was last year heavily criticised for an inadequately researched report referencing “Sikh extremism”, responded to Indian nationalist troll influencer Puneet Sahani, saying he would be “pleased to hear more about your concerns”. Many have wondered why Bloom is more keen to engage with an American overseas-Indian, rather than one of the biggest Gurdwaras in the UK.

Read more about concerns on Bloom’s report: https://www.sikhpa.com/citing-wikipedia-lol-sikhs-react-to-uk-govt-sikh-extremism-report/

Bloom has shown an obvious desire to connect with Indian nationalist supporters and media outlets since his report was released last year, prompting various Sikh orgs to call for more focus on Indian interference in the UK, amid ongoing geopolitical focus on India’s anti-Sikh transnational repression.

The Sikh Press Association has been told the picture of Sant Bhindranwale that was previously hung outside Guru Nanak Road Gurdwara will be put back up once the construction is over. Updates on the legal action from SGSSS will be published as they are announced.