Sikh man murdered by govt approved “landgrabber” mob in front of family

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NOTE- An earlier version of this article stated the father of the deceased mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi as being to blame for the situation. This was incorrect. Whilst the father did mention “Modi”, this was actually a nickname for local police officer Sheikh Mahmood (known as Moodi), who is part of the “landgrabber” police-criminal nexus.

A New Zealand based Sikh man was murdered in Kashmir by “landgrabbers” who were helped by Jammu and Kashmir police, in a crime aided by systemic anti-Sikh bigotry in the region.

The whole incident was documented by victim Avtar Singh on his Facebook page before he succumbed to his injuries (30.04.2024). According to Sikh locals, a mob of 50-60 people targeted Avtar Singh’s family land, owned by his father Balbir Singh, raiding the property and acting violently, with support of police led by an officer named Puneet Sharma.

See a link to the some of the posts, showing dozens of landgrabbers in the property whilst standing with Jammu and Kashmir police, here.

During the attack, Avtar Singh’s family reported he was hit on the head with an iron rod and also dragged into a room by 15 men who beat him. Some of the violence is still viewable in snippets on Facebook and seemingly occurred because he livestreamed the robbery. During a conversation with his father in the presence of the mob, the two began listing names of figures connected with landgrab, including retired SSP of Jammu Police Sheikh Mahmood (known as Moodi). He was then approached and assaulted by some members of the mob.

He later bled profusely whilst in the presence of the police who did nothing to help, before he died from his injuries. In one distressing video he is seen brutally beaten, surrounded by destruction of his property. Avtar Singh, who was also a resident of New Zealand, has left behind his wife Mandeep Kaur and four young children.

In an interview, Avtar Singh’s mother, who lived on the property with other family, said, “We have registry of our plot since 20 years. The goons damaged our CCTV cameras, broke plot’s gate locks and were painting the walls. They have thrown out our goods.

“What kind of justice can be given to that mother whose son has been murdered?  Accused Parshottam sent four women to attack me. A gang of 15 men forced my son in our room and killed him. If there is govt then it must provide me justice.”

The “accused” Parshottam Singh is a man who has laid claim to the land being supported by local authorities, despite son Avtar Singh saying he could prove the land ownership with government documents.

On Thursday (02.05.2024) Avtar Singh’s family and other community members protested, demanding justice for their son. They blocked the Jammu-Pathankot National highway in the Greater Kailash area in Jammu. Greater Kailash police have suspended Puneet Sharma and Harvinder Singh in connection with the murder.

Landgrabbing in Jammu and Kashmir has been a big problem in recent years, where authorities attempt to confiscate land for it to be sold to industrialists from other states. In a statement reported by Kashmir media, local police even noted their own “inaction” during the incident, yet claimed they would still pursue the “murder case”.

The issue is connected to BJP government legislation which allows the State to seize land on the claim it was previously taken without due rights, ignoring ancestral claims. This has happened to countless families, also as part of the “bulldozer politics” being used to oust minorities from land across India. In one academic report on the issue, the crux of the issue of landgrabs is phrased as “hostilities from the Indian government” towards farmers.

There is also a wider history of violence against Sikhs in the region, both within the Indian State’s nationalist agenda and at the hand of Islamic militants, as well as being the target of general criminality with perpetrators knowing authorities can be corrupt.

US India consulate California events cancelled after Sikh protests

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Two planned California based events platforming the Indian Consulate of San Francisco were cancelled after Sikh protest last week, as American Sikhs continue to demand action against India’s anti-Sikh transnational repression campaign.

The Indian Student Association of were to host the consulate at University College (UC) Davis on 9th May, whilst on 11th May Sikh Gurdwara Selma were set to do the same, both allegedly for Visa related discussions. However, amid ongoing concerns about Indian Consulate’s leading on spying and targeting Sikh communities, protests against the events were planned.

US authorities revealed they foiled an Indian State plot to have American Sikh activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun assassinated last year in November, finally affirming a longtime held accusation by Sikh diaspora communities regarding India’s transnational repression. Recent investigations from the likes of Washington Post have also revealed that dozens of intelligence personnel also note that Indian consulate officials play a role in this, again confirming a long-held accusation of Sikh communities.

As the US continue to go through the process of prosecuting Indian State terrorist Nikhil Gupta for the assassination plot, an investigation which is certain to open up more about the role of Indian diplomats in the terrorism, Sikh groups are more vehemently than ever standing against Indian Consulate platforming within spaces frequented by Sikhs. Sikh groups have expressed concern about the normalization of Indian State anti-Sikh terrorism on foreign soil through such events, as well the issue of actually placing Sikhs in danger from exposure to the Indian officials. Currently, it is established that various other Sikh activists remain at threat of assassination from the Indian State, with the arrested Gupta noted as saying to a US intelligence informant that India has “many” Sikh targets in the US.

The UC Davis Jakara Chapter, a student faction of national Sikh advocacy and community group Jakara, released a statement saying the event “legitimizes a regime actively involved in repressing Sikh activism”, before issuing a “demand” for the event to be cancelled, and also stating the group would “mobilize” to raise awareness of the danger of the event.

On the morning of the day of the event (9th May), the Indian Student Association of UC Davis released a statement saying they decided to “cancel” the event in view of “fostering a safe, inclusive environment”.

The Indian Consulate had also planned to do a similar event at Selma Gurdwara, which saw plans for a protest outside the Gurdwara circulated by groups such as the US faction of Waris Punjab De, calling the consulate reps “killers”. Waris Punjab De are a Sikh-centred Punjabi community social reform group who head Bhai Amritpal Singh is a current political prisoner in India.

Just as in the UC Davis situation, on the morning of the event with protestors gathering at the Selma Gurdwara the committee of the Gurdwara cancelled the event. Protestors welcomed the Gurdwara committee’s understanding of the oversight of inviting Indian Consulate reps amid the ongoing US-India transnational repression investigation.

Speaking to The Sikh Press Association, respected Sikh community activist Bobby Singh, one of the American Sikh activists noted as being a target of India, said:

“The cancellation of these events reflects the mood of the Sikh community, after a year which saw India’s anti-Sikh terrorism reach North America. The Indian Consulates are not merely complicit but actually entirely responsible for carrying out the targeting of Sikh diaspora communities, which last year saw Sikhs murdered.

“Sikh groups are now being more stern about deplatforming of these criminals. There are ongoing investigations in Canada and the US which will result in prosecutions of Indian State terrorists, and those should lead to further prosecution of the Indian Consulate officials who facilitated this. Until that happens, it is duty for Sikhs to protest Indian Consulate events. Their terrorism should not be ignored, nor normalized.”

Media inquiries for more on the Sikhs targeted by India’s transnational repression can be made at media@sikhpa.com.

“BJP leader” murders Sikh at #FarmersProtest demonstration

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A Sikh protester was killed at a #farmersprotest2024 demonstration against a Punjab BJP candidate this week, by a man described as a “BJP leader” by Indian media.

50-year-old Surinderpal Singh (also being spelled Surinder Pal Singh) was part of a #FarmersProtest group demonstrating against campaigning by Preneet Kaur, a BJP candidate for Patiala (Punjab) in the ongoing national election, when he was seen to be pushed over by BJP figure. Harwinder Singh Harpalpur, sustaining a head injury he did not recover from (4.05.24).

NOTE- Videos of the aftermath of the attack on Surinderpal Singh will not be shared by Sikh PA

Harpalpur has since been charged with “culpable homicide”, which does not translate into a murder charge. Sources state Harpalpur remains free, and the process of his prosecution are not expected to be swift due to his ties with the BJP, the far-right in-power party led by current Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Farmers groups have demanded that Preneet Kaur be arrested herself, as she is said to have ordered the heavy handed approach to protesters, who are against the presence of BJP in Punjab, as they are widely seen as anti-Sikh, anti-Punjab and anti-farmers. Preneet is the wife of former Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder, who represented his wife’s rival party Congress, showcasing the fickle nature of Indian politics. When news of the planned demonstration against Preneet got out, authorities put up barricades and checkpoints to prevent it taking place, resulting in over 200 being detained and violence used by police against protestors. Preneet’s connections to Punjab’s elite politicians are expected to mean she will also not face legal consequences for her role in the murder of Surinderpal Singh.

Photos: Preneet Kaur joins BJP in Delhi
Preneet Kaur for BJP

Officials have promised financial compensation to the family of Surinderpal Singh. However, efforts for justice have now seen groups begin daily demonstrations outside the home of Captain Amarinder and Preneet Kaur.

A funeral procession for Surinderpal Singh took place today (9th May).

NOTE- Sikh PA as a matter of editorial policy do not share hyperlinks of Indian media outlets sourced for articles, due to their regular sharing of anti-Sikh propaganda

“Failure to punish” cause of latest Sikh sacrilege culprit death- SGPC

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After yet another attack on Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Sikh scriptural Guru), Akaal Takht Jathedar (Head of the supreme Sikh seat of authority) Giani Raghbir Singh spoke on the killing of the culprit by sangat (Sikh congregation), saying “when the rule of law fails miserably in performing its duty, then people are forced to seek justice in their own way”.

See the statement from the SGPC below and in full at the bottom of the article.

Leading Sikh body the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) released the statement after the incident in Gurdwara Baba Bir Singh in Bandala village in Ferozepur district (Punjab) last Sunday (05.05.2024), saying it is part of an ongoing “well-planned conspiracy”. Scenes of the violent scene quickly went viral, in images we will not share.

Since approximately 2015, The Sikh Press Association sources estimate 300+ instance of attacks against Guru Granth Sahib Ji in the manner seen on Sunday in Bandala. To date, dozens of the culprits have been handed over to police, without yielding any preventative investigation, nor any strong punishment to act as a deterrent. Many were local petty criminals and/or addicts who said they were paid to carry out the attack.

Guru Granth Sahib Ji is considered the current and last living Guru of the Sikhs, existing in the form of GurBani (Guru’s word-Sikh scripture). Guru Granth Sahib Ji is treated with regal protocol by all Sikhs. Any attempt to damage or destroy Guru Granth Sahib Ji is deemed the most serious attack on Sikhs possible.

Culprit Bakshish Singh, a 19-year-old local, was seen walking into the Gurdwara at approximately 2pm. Camera footage shows him discreetly and quickly entering the empty darbar (court- main prayer hall) and walking up to the scriptural Guru and tearing angs (limbs- pages). He then entered the langal (Sikh communal kitchen) where he was spotted with the angs, resulting in him being apprehended by sangat.

Video footage then shows Bakshish being severely beaten before he was handed over to police, who later pronounced him dead. India media report sangat saying they handed him over alive and then “don’t know what happened to him”.

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As well as the statement condemning lack of police action, Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh also “ordered the Sikh Sangat to socially and religiously boycott the family of the accused of sacrilege and not to allow the last rites of the accused to be held in any Gurdwara Sahib.”

The strong stance from the Akal Takht reflects wider Sikh mood regarding the ongoing attacks targeting the heart of the Sikh faith. As with previous instances, the family of the accused has claimed “mental health” challenges impacted Bakhshish’s state of mind.

However, some caught have reported they were paid to carry out the attacks by both the Ram Rahim cult (a group following pseudo-spiritual figure who mimics Sikh appearance) and other “agencies” (a reference to political/governmental factions working to cause division in Sikh communities for nationalist gain). Some cases have even revealed police have been behind criminal acts aiming to provoke Sikh ire and fuel disharmony, which has led to various Sikh communities agreeing on a need for action on the issue.

Last year one attack in April saw Gianis (meaning knowledgeable ones, referring to those leading Sikh practice in Gurdwaras) brutally assaulted before being handed over to police (with no update on his prosecution), whilst another in January also led to the death of the culprit.

The suggestion that “mental health challenges” could be behind hundreds carrying out the attacks, as opposed to a “well-planned conspiracy” as described by Giani Raghbir Singh, has been criticized by one anonymous mental health professional who spoke to Sikh PA.

“It is highly unlikely there is a mental health condition which is prompting behaviour this specific; to go to a Gurdwara and attempt to destroy Guru Granth Sahib Ji. After hundreds of cases of the beadbi (sacrilege), there is not yet any medical data which points to this being a diagnosable psychological condition. Police should not hesitate to investigate these crimes for sake of a belief they are random acts of the mentally challenged.”

Whilst police investigate for possible murder charges, the SGPC called for police to focus on the cause of the sangat retaliation, instructing authorities, “instead of troubling the Sangat or any Sikh regarding the death of the accused of sacrilege, the truth should be brought before the Sangat as soon as possible as to who sent the accused of sacrilege and under what conspiracy.”

SGPC statement

Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Raghbir Singh today expressed deep grief over the incident of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji at Gurdwara Baba Bir Singh in Bandala village in Ferozepur district and termed the death of the accused of sacrilege as a reaction to the ‘failure to punish the culprits and give exemplary punishments by law’. Moreover, the Jathedar has also ordered the Sikh Sangat to socially and religiously boycott the family of the accused of sacrilege and not to allow the last rites of the accused to be held in any Gurdwara Sahib. Today in a statement issued from the Secretariat, Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh said that for a long time, incidents of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji have been taking place under a well-planned conspiracy. He said that the government’s law is neither proving successful in stopping the incidents of sacrilege nor in punishing the culprits. He said that today’s incident of sacrilege at Gurdwara Baba Bir Singh in Bandala village of Ferozepur district is a very unfortunate incident in this series which has hurt the sentiments of Sikhs. He said that for Sikhs there is nothing above Sri Guru Granth Sahib and incidents of sacrilege badly harm the soul and mentality of Sikhs. The Jathedar said that when the rule of law fails miserably in performing its duty, then people are forced to seek justice in their own way. He also warned the government that instead of troubling the Sangat or any Sikh regarding the death of the accused of sacrilege, the truth should be brought before the Sangat as soon as possible as to who sent the accused of sacrilege and under what conspiracy.

Reaction: Nijjar assassins arrested and charged

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UPDATE: A fourth man (Amandeep Singh, 22) was arrested by Peel Police (Ontario) in connection with the Nijjar assassination on 11th May.

Yesterday (03.05.24) Canadian authorities confirmed the arrest of members of an alleged hit squad investigators believe were tasked by the government of India with assassinating Shaheed (Sikh martyr) Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar was the President of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Surrey and Delta, as well as a leading Khalistan (free Sikh homeland) activist, when he was gunned down in the Gurdwara carpark last June. Nijjar openly talked about the threat to his life posed by the Indian State for his activism, portraying him as a terrorist, allegations which were investigated and cleared by Canadian authorities.

Kamalpreet Singh (22-years-old), Karanpreet Singh (28) and Karan Brar (22) were arrested and charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in Edmonton regarding the assassination. Between the three, each acted as either the shooter, driver or spotter. All are Indian nationals and have been non-permanent residents of Canada for three to five years.

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Image by Punjab Beyond

Here we share wider Sikh reaction regarding the incident.

The news was broken by CBC News, whose lead journalist on the case Evan Dyer stated:

The statement dismisses the recent India claim that “rogue agents” were behind the assassination attempt on New York lawyer and Sikh activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

Despite the insight from Dyer, the news that the sole focus of the investigation is now on the Indian government has suspiciously been ignored by some media, who continue to put push baseless claims the killing was part of an internal Sikh conflict. The latest justification comes from the Sikh-Punjabi names of the men arrested. However, many have been quick to point out India have history of using those with Sikh identity to carry out attacks on the community.

Authorities also confirmed the trio are linked to the Bishnoi gang, named after notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, currently held in India’s high-security Sabarmati prison in Ahmedabad, in Gujarat, who has taken responsibility for Sidhu Moosewala assassination. Media reports have quoted intelligence officers confirming a nexus between India’s intelligence services and criminal networks, something Indian military/intelligence figure and Hindu extremist Major Gaurav Arya has bragged about on his hugely popular youtube channel.

Many Sikh reps were quick to point out that the Bishnoi gang are not only celebrated by Indian nationalists as a criminal enforcer network against critics of the Indian State, such as Khalistanis. Furthermore, the Bishnoi gang’s reach into Canada has already been documented, through extortion cases still being investigated by Canadian authorities.

The Sikh Press Association’s Senior Press Officer Jasveer Singh is one of many Sikh community figures who have received threats of being pursued by the Bishnoi gang.

In one of the most shocking revelations of the new updates, the Indian State assassins are also linked with the shooting of an 11-year-old child, whose father was the main target of a hit. The trio are believed to have become hitmen-for-hire for Canada’s underworld, whilst carrying out India’s transnational repression targeting Khalistanis.

The group are also being linked with the overly suspect killing of Sukhdool Gill. Indian media were first to report his death in Winnipeg last September, even before local authorities had made the news public, clearly suggesting at best an inside informant. Sikh PA chased an answer from local authorities and media about how Indian media could have gotten this information so quickly, but were ignored. Bishnoi took credit for the killing, whilst Indian media claimed Sukhdool was a Khalistani activist, although Punjab police denied this, and Canadian Sikh orgs say he was not known within sangat (Sikh congregation) circles.

Read about the case here- Punjabi Canadian appears on Indian “terror” hit list, murdered hours later, Indian media report it first- what’s going on? | SikhPA

Due to the fact those arrested were Indian national immigrants into Canada, some attempts were made to turn focus onto immigration in the country, which Canadian Sikh community figure and national spokesperson Moninder Singh was quick to counteract, as can be heard in the video below.

The statement from Moninder Singh of the Khalistan Center and BC Gurdwaras Council came at a press conference held by the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara of Surrey and Delta, where Nijjar was formerly President. At the press conference, other points raised included:

  • How Canada could have acted sooner against Indian interference
  • Reiterating demands made by Sikh orgs in October, including police action against senior Indian diplomats who orchestrated the killing, and not just their expulsion from Canada
  • Why the prosecution of individuals is not enough, and real reexamination of Canadian ties with India needs to happen

See a Gurdwara statement here:

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The World Sikh Organization also shared a press release on the news, which also highlighted other examples of India’s interference in Canada, which were confirmed in a report released today as part of the national interference inquiry a Sikh coalition have been involved in.

As always, NDP’s Jagmeet Singh and his brother Gurratan spoke out about the Sikh-centric news.

Meanwhile, Canadian opposition party the Conservatives released a statement, saying they will “fight” foreign interference, despite not mentioning India in the release.

Despite the welcome news of the arrests, many Sikh orgs continue to highlight the need for further examination and prosecutions.

Media inquiries- media@sikhpa.com.

Global push for Western Govts to commemorate Sikh Genocide 40th anniversary

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Efforts for the Canadian and UK government to commemorate the 1984 Sikh Genocide are amping up in both countries.

As the annual remembrance periods for the Battle of Amritsar (Operation Blue Star) approaches in June and the government orchestrated genocide pogroms in November, global efforts are being made by Sikh community groups for their governments to recognise the atrocities perpetrated against them by Indian authorities, with Canada and the UK leading the way.

Groups in Australia, the USA and New Zealand are making similar effort. Read more about June 1984 here and November 1984 here.

Jagmeet Singh as head of the New Democratic Party (NDP) is leading effort for official recognition of the 1984 Sikh Genocide in Canadian Parliament through an online petition.

The petition aims to acknowledge the 1984 Sikh genocide as this is the “first important step towards community healing – and addressing intergenerational trauma.” The topic remains pertinent to Canadian Sikhs, as they are examples of how the Sikh community are still facing oppression from the Indian government, recently notable through the transnational repression that emerged in the assassination of Shaheed (martyr) Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey (BC) last year.

A petition has also been running in the UK by Sikh Federation (UK), a Sikh NGO and Political lobby group. This is a parliamentary e-petition for the UK government to formally recognise and commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1984 Sikh genocide. So far constituents for over 430 MPs have signed, with over 10,000 signatures overall.

The 1984 Sikh genocide is recognised by several human rights organisations such as Amnesty International who have consistently called for justice. The Government of India’s own Nanavati Commission Report acknowledges that the killings that took place were systematic and organised, leading to an Indian court accepting that ‘genocide’ has been duly proved and established.

According to the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, the Indian government must take all reasonable measures to bring those responsible for this genocide to justice, including criminal prosecution.

International recognition of the events as a genocide would be welcome by Sikh communities. However, justice for the massacres remains illusive to many Sikhs, as countless figures involved in the 1984 Sikh genocide still remain unpunished in India.

New findings: India tried to kill American Sikh because they “knew they could get away with it”

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New findings on India’s anti-Sikh transnational repression suggest Indian intelligence motioned an assassination attempt on an American Sikh whilst Narendra Modi and Joe Biden “ate at the White House”, because they “knew they could get away with it”.

The revelations came from an ongoing Washington Post (WP) investigation into India’s state sanctioned overseas terrorism. New York based lawyer Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, lead of the Khalistan Referendum campaign, was the target of a failed Indian State assassination last year in November.

The new information will be a slap in the face for India, who last month attempted to blame “rogue agents” on the assassination attempt on Pannun. However, since then Senior Indian ministers have admitted to India carrying out assassinations in Pakistan, which a recent Guardian investigation revealed includes collaboration with Islamic extremist group ISIS. The WP have seemingly affirmed this, through interviews with “three dozen current and former senior officials in the United States, India, Canada, Britain, Germany and Australia” which reveal that “India’s spy chief cleared” the plot to kill Pannun, which leaves much of the world watching and waiting for more US sanctions against India.

The articles refer to former RAW (Research and Analysis Wing, Indian intelligence agency) Head Samant Goel, who resigned last year in June, just a day after the assassination of Shaheed (martyr) Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey (BC, Canada).

Goel’s move to target Sikh diaspora activists would have been cleared by Prime Minister Modi’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval according to the reports, although the US are yet to confirm this with evidence. However, RAW agent Vikram Yadav has been named as the first official Indian government representative who was involved in the attempted assassination on Pannun. Yadav was previously unnamed in US documents on the incident.

Goel, who is notorious for his role in the #SikhGenocide with at least 128 cases of extrajudicial killings linked to him, was also said to be warned by UK authorities regarding his harassment of British Sikhs when stationed in the UK, with the WP report saying “In Britain, RAW’s surveillance and harassment of the Sikh population — especially a large concentration near Birmingham — became so egregious in 2014 and 2015 that MI5, Britain’s domestic security service, delivered warnings to Goel, who was then serving as RAW’s station chief in London.” The issue led to Goel being threatened with expulsion from the UK, which Goel allegedly “scoffed” at, suggesting Indian influence in the UK is far stronger than many would believe.

Meanwhile, India’s work with criminals to target Sikhs was also emphasised, with the article revealing Doval “exhibited a willingness to engage with the criminal underworld” to carry out crimes for India. This is something Indian army affiliate and Hindu extremist Major Gaurav Arya was also criticised for exclaiming last year.

The article discusses the work of Indian agents across the world, including how ‘In Australia, two RAW officers were expelled in 2020 after authorities broke up what Mike Burgess, head of the Australian intelligence service, described as a “nest of spies.”’ Australian Sikhs have long complained of attempts by Indian nationalists to malign and divide the community. The article goes on to mention expulsions also happened in Germany, where Indian spies have been caught targeting Sikhs.

The news is guaranteed to upset advocates of US sovereignty and supporters of President Biden’s Democratic Party who now look weak, with many suggesting the incidents would not have been carried out under the reign of former Republican President Donald Trump. The position of Biden’s government looks extra suspect with news from WP that they warned India about the article before it was released, without informing WP of their dialogue with India about it. The official White House response to the findings so far has simply called them “very serious”.

An official Indian response to the WP findings said such actions are “not our policy”.

Confirmation of India’s interference targeting Sikhs in the UK is guaranteed to up pressure on Rishi Sunak’s government to address the issue, which thus far has been ignored.

Amritpal Singh stands for election whilst imprisoned

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An announcement from his mother has confirmed that Sikh leader and current political prisoner Bhai Amritpal Singh will stand for nomination for a seat in Punjab in India’s ongoing national election.

The head of social reform group Waris Punjab De (WPD), a prisoner of Assam’s Dibrugarh jail, over 2500km from Amritsar (Punjab), will contest for the Khadoor (also spelled Khadur) Sahib constituency, a town in Tarn Taran, Punjab, as an independent candidate (not representing any party), his mother Balwinder Kaur announced in a press conference on 26th April.

Bhai Amritpal Singh has been imprisoned for a year under the National Security Act, after being subject of the biggest manhunt in history for a month, when Indian forces shutdown Punjab in the situation labelled #PunjabUnderSiege last March. An incident in February 2023 which saw dozens led by Amritpal Singh raid Ajnala police station where torture was reported to be used against detainees was the incident which is cited as his major “crime”.

An advocate for Khalistan (free Sikh homeland movement) and general Sikh sovereignty, Bhai Amritpal Singh became a hugely popular figure for his village-to-village efforts taking on Punjab’s addiction epidemic and calling out the Indian State corruption allowing it. Since then, both Amritpal Singh’s mother and wife have been targeted in acts of intimidation by Indian authorities, whilst he himself has complained of suffering torture, along with the nine other members of WPD he is incarcerated with. However, support for Bhai Amritpal Singh continues, with the Akal Takht Jathedar (head of supreme Sikh authority) recently saying “If Amritpal is a terrorist, all Sikhs are terrorists”.

In previous interviews, Bhai Amritpal Singh said that he would never enter Indian politics due to its limitations for panthic (Sikh community/path focused) outcomes. However, the u-turn is cited as coming due to sangat (Sikh congregation) request. Bhai Amritpal Singh has previously said they will use India’s constitution where necessary for Sikh benefit.

The seat he is contesting for is seen as a panthic seat with history of voting in Sikh political prisoners, with current Shiromani Akali Dal President Simranjeet Singh Mann winning the seat whilst imprisoned in 1989. It is unclear though exactly what the campaign run and possible election will mean for his situation incarcerated. The decision also came after his father visited Amritpal Singh in prison, which saw both concerned about the lack of privacy during their conversation. The period open for votes began last week and end 1st June.

Various groups have come out to support Bhai Amritpal Singh’s decision, including diaspora groups such as a conglomerate of USA based orgs, stating “individuals facing state repression have the strategic right to participate in parliamentary elections to wield power from the authoritarian Indian regime”. However, whether this will translate into popularity in the election polls remains to be seen.

US Human Rights report highlights India’s anti-Sikh repression, sanctions follow

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The US Government’s internationally renowned Human Rights report formally acknowledged India’s transnational repression of Sikhs this week, preceding sanctions against Indian corporations announced today (25.04.24).

Every year the United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor publish reports on Human Rights Practices in a range of countries. This year’s (released 22.04.24) referenced India’s assassination of Canadian Sikh leader Shaheed (martyr) Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year, censorship faced by Sikh activists and several other violations.

Read the report in full at: India – United States Department of State.

Under section 1.f, titled Transnational Repression, the report states that the Indian Government “was alleged by other governments, diaspora communities, and human rights groups to have killed persons, or used violence or threats of violence against individuals in other countries, for reprisal.” It then uses the example of Shaheed Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar, specifying how the Indian government “alleged and designated” him as a terrorist because he “advocated for the creation of an independent Sikh state called Khalistan (free Sikh homeland movement).”

NOTE- It is believed that India’s attempted assassination of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York last year was not referenced as the prosecution process continues, currently through working on extraditing terrorist Nikhil Gupta.

It was acknowledged that the Indian state uses the label ‘terrorist’ to violate the human rights of individuals and communities who are considered ‘anti-India’, stating; “There were a number of press and civil society reports of representatives of political parties using disinformation tactics against civil society organizations, religious minorities, such as Sikhs and Muslims, and the political opposition, sometimes depicting them as security threats…There were numerous reports of threats and violence against human rights defenders, particularly those representing women, religious minorities, and marginalized communities.”

This has been the case for several Sikh individuals who have been targeted by the Indian authorities, such as Shaheed Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Bhai Amritpal Singh (currently imprisoned in India).

In March 2023, Punjab authorities went on a manhunt for Bhai Amritpal Singh and other members of Waris Punjab De who were combatting the drug epidemic in Punjab and supportive of Khalistan.

The report states how police conducted a manhunt for Waris Punjab De (Punjab based social reform group) leader Bhai Amritpal Singh, noting that “During the manhunt, authorities deployed thousands of paramilitary police and restricted internet and mobile messaging services for nearly 30 million individuals across the Punjab state. Authorities reportedly arrested more than 200 persons while conducting the search for Singh.” This is regarded as repression of the freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.

It was also noted that the manhunt saw “Punjab authorities suspended the social media accounts of several journalists and media organizations in Punjab, including the BBC’s Punjabi service. These suspensions came as part of broader blackouts on internet services and social media activity as authorities conducted a manhunt for Amritpal Singh, leader of Waris Punjab De, a Sikh-political group supportive of the Khalistan movement…Media bodies expressed deep concern over this “arbitrary” suspension of these social media handles, saying no due processes were followed and the suspensions were carried out against the principles of natural justice.” Censorship is one of the main ways in which India has been transnationally repressing Sikhs, as well as others critical of India.

The report states that “Civil society leaders noted the blocking of social media accounts in India and hashtags, takedown requests, and proliferation of conspiracy theories in the country were examples of transnational repression against diaspora activists working to advance human rights and religious freedom.” Countless Sikh human rights activists have found themselves censored on social media, particularly on X which Musk had to eventually challenge Modi on. Individuals have been “experiencing threats, harassment, arbitrary surveillance, and coercion, including online, that they attributed to the government or individuals alleged to be connected to the government” as a result of their vocal human rights advocacy, according to the report.

In an addition which will be welcome by countless Sikh groups, the report also detailed how the families of activists are targeted by India, saying; “They reported that some of their families, friends, or associates in India also experienced harassment and pressure from local authorities because of their human rights activities. They noted these activities created a “chilling effect” on their advocacy efforts and led to self-censorship, due to fear of reprisals against themselves and their families in India.”

An example of the callous extent of this tactic is seen through how Shaheed Bhai Avtar Singh Khanda’s mother and sister in India were arrested because of his advocacy of the Khalistan movement in the UK, before his suspected poisoning in June 2023.

Press and other media have also had to practice “self-censorship due to fear of government reprisals” on topics which were considered politically sensitive such as “human rights or environmental activism”, according to the report.

Whilst the report will be welcomed by many Sikh groups, the lack of focus on UK examples of India’s anti-Sikh transnational repression reach will concern some, with no mention of political prisoner Jagtar Singh Johal or the suspected poisoning of Khanda. Sikh groups have been vocally critical of the lack of acknowledgement of such issues by the UK’s Conservative Government, headed by Indian origin Rishi Sunak whose billionaire father-in-law has been turned into a pro-Modi voice.

Overall the report shows the US government’s acknowledgement of India’s human rights abuses and the transnational repression currently being experienced by the Sikh community.

The report on India’s anti-Sikh human rights abuses was released just days before India became the focus of “sanctioning” of three India based corporations for “facilitating and financing the clandestine sale of Iranian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL)”. The corporations are Zen Shipping, Port India Private Limited, and Sea Art Ship Management (OPC) Private Limited.

Speaking on the news, Sikh Press Association Senior Press Officer Jasveer Singh said:

“Many will be happy to see the USA so blatantly outline India’s anti-Sikh repression, and also recognize the types of tactics used to malign and target Sikhs. Many will also hope the sanctions related to Iran are followed by more action related to India’s breaches of US sovereignty, especially given the attempted killing of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York last year. The extradition process and inevitable trial against Indian nationalist terrorist Nikhil Gupta is being heavily anticipated.”

“However, in the meantime, as the report notes, activists and journalists highlighting India’s transnational repression remain in danger, pressing home the need for urgent action as a preventative act against Hindutva (Hindu extremist) terrorism.”

Trudeau grilled by Sikh rep, says “public servants” hid details of India’s interference

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Canada’s Prime Minister was questioned yesterday by a Sikh community representative as part of the country’s international foreign interference inquiry.

Lead of the Liberal Party, PM Justin Trudeau cited the assassination of Shaheed (martyr) Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar to say “we have stood-up for Canadians” when questioned about redactions which hid details of India’s interference in Canada, which Trudeau said were made by “public servants…not the political wing”.

Over the last two weeks Prabjot Singh, on behalf of a Sikh coalition of the World Sikh Organisation, British Columbia Gurdwaras Council and Ontario Gurdwaras Committee, has cross-examined Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (10.04.2024), the former New Democratic Party (NDP) National Director Anne McGrath (03.04.2024) and other government reps on foreign interference in Canada relating to the Sikh community. This is part of an ongoing Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions which began on the 7th September 2023, also looking into China, Russia, and Iran alongside India.

During the cross-examination of Trudeau, Prabjot Singh pulled up the 2019 annual report of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians which contained information on interference. However, a large amount of it was redacted, thus hiding details of interference from India. It was suggested by Prabjot Singh that “the redacted sections of this report outline details of Indian electoral interference and coercive activities against the Sikh community, as well as outlining governmental failures in combatting this specific threat”. Trudeau was unable to confirm this because of national security reasons.

Trudeau instead suggested a “cozy” relationship between the former in-power party of the Conservatives, led by former PM Stephen Harper was to blame for Indian influence in Canada.

Another intelligence report titled “Government of India Foreign Interference Activities in the 2021 general election” was also tabled. It states that “the Government of India (GoI) had intent to interfere and likely conducted clandestine activities” in Canada, which includes India’s use of “proxy agents” and the provision of “illicit financial support” to political candidates.

India’s response to this has been that the allegations of Foreign Interference in Canada’s 2019 and 2021 elections are “baseless”. In a statement to CBC, India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shockingly turned
to point the finger at Canada, stating “It is Canada which has been interfering in our internal affairs. We have been raising this issue regularly with them. We continue to call on Canada to take effective measures to address our core concerns”. The statement seems to guarantee an ongoing geopolitical rift between Canada and India which is the fallout of the assassination of Nijjar.

McGrath, former New Democratic Party (NDP) National Director, was questioned about the Indian disinformation campaigns targeting NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and the current threats faced by Sikhs from India in Canada, especially in the face of increased transnational repression.

Prabjot Singh asked her about the disinformation that has been propagated towards Jagmeet Singh since he was appointed leader of the NDP in 2017, including during the 2019 and 2021 election campaigns, to which McGrath acknowledged that these have come “primarily through the Indian media network”.

One of the targeted messages in Indian media is that Jagmeet Singh is an extremist or has sympathies for extremists. McGrath confirmed that “he has not been involved in any of the things that have been alleged through those sources”. McGrath did confirm though that Jagmeet Singh’s awareness work on India’s State perpetrated Sikh genocide was a “plausible reason” as to why he is targeted and also the reason Jagmeet Singh was refused a visa to visit India.

McGrath said that as a result of all of this, Sikhs feel wary of supporting the NDP because of fear of reprisal from India. It was also recognised that some Sikhs who work with the NDP feel an elevated risk from India because of their connection to the party. New members of staff who are from the Sikh community are warned upon their arrival of the
possibility of them being denied a visa from India amongst other repercussions from the Indian government.

McGrath’s answers shows the effect that current Indian anti-Sikh transnational repression is having on Canadians in their day-to-day lives. Prabjot Singh asked about the way in which the Canadian electoral process and democratic institutions have been affected “when a racialised community, many of whom have fled religious and political persecution from another country, feel that same intimidation and persecution for their engagement in Canadian politics and supporting a Canadian political party?”. McGrath agreed, saying “I believe that for several diaspora groups there are concerns about the ramifications of involvement in political activity in Canada.”

Further documentation from security experts presented in the inquiry also confirmed that Indian Officials “continue to conduct FI (foreign interference) activities in Canada, both directly and through their Canadian proxies, primarily against Canadian politicians, Canadian democratic processes, and against the Indo-Canadian diaspora community”.

Prabjot Singh also cross-examined figures government including Marta Morgan (Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs), David Morrison (former national security adviser) and Bo Basler (CSIS counter foreign interference coordinator), who admitted India’s interference is “corrosive to Canadian democratic processes” and to “regional community cohesion”. Despite this being on video, Indian nationalist propagandists cut some clips of the interrogation to pretend the inquiry found “No Indian interference”. The ridiculous false-claim was allowed to pick up traction on X, before being debunked by Sikh news outlet Baaz.

Further updates from the inquiry which relate to India’s anti-Sikh transnational repression campaign will be published as they come in.