A claim in a recent independent review of Prevent which stated the UK government counter-terror initiative should be “mindful” of “Pro-Khalistan extremism” in the UK was made to “appease…the Indian government”, according to the Sikh Federation UK.

In a press release, community legal and political advocacy group Sikh Federation UK stated the inclusion of alleged “Pro-Khalistan extremism” along with the omission of Hindutva (Hindu extremism) despite evidence of its growth in the UK showed “British politicians” were acting on “pressure being applied by the BJP Indian government”.

See the Sikh Federation UK statement in full here.

Last week (07.02.23) a government commissioned independent review of Prevent was released. The review was done by William Shawcross, a journalist by trade with an Eton-Oxford background who has also worked for The Sunday Times, BBC and the UK Charity Commission. The review by Shawcross has been widely criticised, with Amnesty International UK saying it is “deeply prejudiced” and “has no legitimacy”, due to bias from Shawcross and his history of “bigotry”.

The review included one sole paragraph on alleged “extremism” within the Sikh community, included as a footnote without any data or specifics to support the claims (see image below). The statement on Khalistan (free Sikh homeland movement) included that “the current threat is low”, making Shawcross’ claims against British Sikhs purely speculative.

The paragraph claims there is a “false narrative…that the UK government is colluding with its counterpart in India to persecute Sikhs”. At least three recent incidents in recent memory contradict this claim, proving that the UK has indeed colluded with India in efforts to target Sikh activists. These are:

1. Findings from journalist Phil Miller which showed Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government provided advice to India for their 1984 invasion of holy Sikh site Sri Harmandir Sahib, leaving thousands of civilians dead, seen as the beginning of India’s Sikh genocide
2. Claims by Indian media that “diplomatic pressure” was behind the UK’s counter-terror raids on five Sikh men in 2018, which has been linked by famed human rights lawyer Gareth Peirce to the torture of Scotsman Jagtar Singh Johal. The outcome of the raids was one single charge of a Charities Commission breach of one of the men who has never worked for a charity. The charge has still not been taken to trial five years later and remains in limbo.
3. Findings from non-Sikh human rights NGO Reprieve which show UK intelligence facilitated India’s capture and subsequent torture of British Sikh political prisoner Jagtar Singh Johal

Along with the above, random mentions of Sikh “extremism” by MPs Priti Patel, Boris Johnson and Bob Blackman (who was found to be taking money from Indian nationalist support groups) have suggested to Sikhs that the Indian government’s efforts to claim there is a Sikh extremism problem to silence Sikh activism against the state’s human rights breaches have crept into UK politics and even UK policing, evident from West Midlands Police’s Matt Ward’s comments on the non-issue. There were also concerns from UK Sikhs regarding a 2019 UK government Counter-Extremism Commission report on “Sikh activism”, due to its undue focus on minor incidents which many felt were undeservingly focused on through the “extremism” lens and using evidence from just 12 hand-picked interviewees. A report on similar issues given more credibility by grassroots Sikh organisations was the CREST review of “Sikh Activism in Britain” by Dr Jasjit Singh, which was created after various meetings with Sikh groups and lengthy reviews into specific incidents within the community. The findings of the CREST review showed there was no Sikh threat to the public.

Sikh Federation UK’s Principal Adviser Dabinderjit Singh highlighted how the UK would be better of turning attention to the very real threat of Hindutva in the UK, saying, “This reference to Sikhs contrasts with a deliberate oversight by William Shawcross of Hindu nationalism, known as Hindutva, in Britain that recently reared its ugly head in widespread violence and terror in Leicester”.

Media looking for more information on Sikh concerns about the unwarranted India state influenced speculative focus on “Khalistan extremism” can email media@sikhpa.com.

An Indian ultranationalist goon admitted he had turned up outside a Melbourne Gurdwara to graffiti Khalistan (free Sikh homeland) Referendum posters, after being caught red-handed by local Sikhs this weekend.

The incident was one of several attempts by Indian ultranationalists to disrupt Australian Sikh efforts to pursue their democratic right to hold the Khalistan Referendum in Melbourne. The Sikhs For Justice campaign has been peacefully and legally held in the UK, Italy and Canada without incident, underlining a growing Hindutva problem in Australia.

On the evening of 29th January a man was caught with four accomplices (three seen in this video by Sikh activist and influencer @Free5ab) acting suspiciously in a car outside Tarneit Gurduara Sahib (Davis Road, Victoria) when they were confronted by sangat (Sikh congregation). They were found with cans of spray paint and when pressured they quickly admitted they came to vandalise posters on the property. The men, who apologised amid their confession, were handed over to authorities. In India, goons caught before attempting beadbi (Sikh sacrilege, usually referring to attacking scripture) and worse have said they were paid to do so by Indian state authorities.

The depth of Australia’s Hindutva (Hindu extremist, which is entwined with Indian ultranationalism in belief of the Hindu rashtra [nation]) problem has been underlined in recent years through the actions of violent Indian mobs targeting Sikhs in various attacks, leading to the deportation of Hindu extremist Vishal Jood. After being kicked out of Australia for his anti-Sikh violence, Vishal Jood has become a figure celebrated by India’s media and countless ultranationalist fanatics.

Earlier this month, video evidence produced by Sikhs For Justice proved that Khalistan Referendum posters were being targeted for graffiti, in what are believed to be attempts to provoke the Sikh community. Pictures of Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale, the revered Sikh saint that became the face of Sikh activism in the 1980s), were particularly targeted by the vandals.

Previous to this, Hindu groups in the Melbourne area accused Khalistan supporters of being behind graffiti on Mandir (Hindu temple) property. However, no evidence has been found to connect any Sikh with the criminal act, and Sikh groups have unanimously come out to condemn the act. Many Sikhs have suggested the graffiti was done in an attempt to tarnish the Khalistan Referendum campaign as anti-Hindu, instead of simply in favour of Sikh rights, which is the essence of the movement. Questions are still being asked as to why no CCTV footage has been released by any Mandir to expose the crime.

In Brampton (Canada, Ontario), similar issues saw a man with an Indian Hindu name – Kartik Tugnait – arrested for anti-Sikh graffiti, whilst accusations of Sikhs being behind graffiti of a Mandir were revealed to be seemingly completely made up, embarrassing the likes of MP Chandra Arya, an Indian origin politician that amplified the accusation against Sikhs.

Video footage of skirmishes between supporters of the Khalistan Referendum and Indian ultranationalists that turned up to antagonise them on the day of the referendum have gone viral this week. However, whilst Indian and Australian media attempt to portray Sikhs as the instigators of the violence, more recent footage shows conflicts began when an Indian mob stormed the area. The situation in Melbourne’s Federation Square area was completely peaceful for hours as thousands of Sikhs came to vote during the day. The mood changed when the Indian mob arrived, screaming and making provocative chants about India being a Hindu nation whilst confrontationally standing before Sikhs in the area, which included women and children. Witnesses also state that the Indian ultranationalists were shouting insults towards Sikhs, which included references to recreating the Sikh Genocide of 1984, before some Sikhs retaliated.

Many Sikhs are concerned about India’s influence on Australian media’s coverage of such issues. With the in-power BJP group known to thrive of the ultranationalist rhetoric in India, the Indian state’s influence on Western media has long been a concern. The likes of Damon Johnston, Benn Packham (both of The Australian) and Stephen Dziedzic (ABC) seem to be regurgitating Indian ultranationalist anti-Sikh Indian propaganda, whilst completely ignoring the context of Australia’s Hindutva problem, or the well known fascism within India, which recently become a global topic after a BBC documentary was released on India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s genocidal actions. There is also concern about the impact of India’s ultranationalist online army swaying perception of the issue, through both social media bot networks and also pseudo-media accounts designed to look like regular news outlets but are actually Indian ultranationalist propagandists.

Speaking on this issue, Sikh Press Association Senior Press Officer said:

“Australian media have an important role right now in covering recent events connected with the nation’s Sikh community. The fascism and bigotry that upholds India’s current regime are now well known, and thus the Khalistan freedom movement needs to be viewed within that context. This includes what is happening at a grassroots level in Australia, where Indian nationalist mobs have violently attacked Sikhs in recent years. The fact that the confession of a Hindu man caught red-handed trying to vandalise Sikh property has not made mainstream news in Australia is a sad reflection of how the nation’s media is being distracted from the truth of what is behind recent incidents in Melbourne.

“Any journalist suggesting that the Khalistan Referendum is at the heart of any trouble in Australia is either influenced by India’s state or completely misinformed about what is going on in Australia and with Sikhs worldwide too. We encourage Australia’s media to really delve into the situation and not simply regurgitate Indian media takes on recent incidents in Melbourne.”

Media looking for more insight from a Sikh perspective on recent incidents in Melbourne can email media@sikhpa.com.

Complaints have been made to the English Football Association (FA) regarding an incident which saw a Sikh footballer sent off for his reaction to having his “head covering (patka) pulled”.

Semi-professional athlete Charan Singh Basra was playing for Langford FC (05.01.23) as they were 3-1 up against Real Bedford in a league game of the 10th tier of English football when his patka – a form of Sikh headcover when by practicing Sikhs – was pulled by Bedford’s Jordan Brown, causing Charan Singh to assertively defend himself by manhandling Brown, who then fell to the floor feigning injury. Charan Singh received his second yellow card of the evening for this and was thus sent-off. Brown was only given a yellow card.

The Sikh Press Association can confirm that the incident (first reported by West London based community group page @UB1UB2) is being looked into by the FA after Sikh complaints about the incident, which went viral on social media, have become apparent, whilst Langford FC will also appeal the decision. The FA’s current Head of Diversity is a dastaar (Sikh turban) wearing Sikh, Dal Singh Darroch, who has worked to engage with the Sikh community at a grassroots level.

Sikh Press Association Senior Press Officer Jasveer Singh said of the incident, “The FA must make a ruling that touching a faith headcovering is an automatic long-term ban. If we want to encourage more Sikhs into the game, this is an important step that must be taken.

“The community will always stand by Sikhs like Charan Singh Basra that defend themselves from faith based attacks such as the disgusting act Jordan Brown was caught on camera doing, especially as similar incidents have been reported happening at all levels, including among children. As such, if the FA do not act on this, they will be partly responsible for not only any more anti-Sikh attacks that happen on football pitches in England, they will also be responsible for the resulting Sikh reaction.

“The ignorant response of the Real Bedford Chairman, who was in complete denial that the incident of targeting another person’s faith symbol was ‘discrimination’, is also an embarrassing reflection of where English football is at. Hopefully FA action will make the club realise how they are tarnishing the entire English game by not having their player apologise and we will see them act accordingly soon.”

Read a statement from Charan Singh Basra below:

The following statement is in relation to the incident that occurred during the Real Bedford vs Langford game where Real Bedford players pulled at my religious head covering.

Before explaining the incident I would like to give some contextual background about a Sikhs hair and their Turban. Kesh (uncut hair) is the practice of allowing one’s hair to grow naturally out of respect for the perfection of God’s creation. It is kept with the upmost respect and covered by a turban. British Sikhs who served in both World Wars refused to replace their turbans with steel helmets (a lawful command). Despite potential death being the punishment for disobeying a lawful command, Sikhs were willing to choose that option over replacing their turbans – that is how highly our hair/turbans are regarded. I personally wear a turban daily and during sporting activities this is replaced by a Patka (a smaller head covering). I have not cut my hair once in my 29 years which is why I have not taken lightly to the following actions.

There were two incidents during this game where my Patka (religious head covering) was pulled at, both videos have been attached. The referee was informed after both incidents yet remained despondent, even after informing him that it is a religious symbol. Contrary to Real Bedford’s statement, these were the only two incidents I was involved in which will be supported once the full video is obtained. The first incident you can see me winning the ball both times before being thrown off the ball, I’ve then attempted to regain possession. In an attempted to play the ball, I was slightly late and caught the player, not dangerous play in the slightest (that is not my character), my studs were down and my body remained on the ground. The reaction from the Real Bedford players however was not acceptable. The video footage provided by Real Bedford ‘conveniently’ turns away from the incident once I am thrown to the floor, hopefully the unedited video obtained will show events clearer. A Real Bedford player has hit me in the face and pulled at my Patka. You can quite clearly see me on the floor holding my face with one hand while the other hand is trying to keep my Patka on my head. I have been playing football for over 20 years, been in numerous tackles, headed the ball on multiple occasions and my Patka has not once come loose as I tie it securely. That shows the amount of force that would’ve been needed to remove it from my head, which is why I am sure it was pulled at intentionally. Once the video footage is obtained you will see my trying to retie/secure my Patka on the pitch for the next 5/10 minutes after the incident. From my introductory background about Sikhs hair/head covering, I am sure you can appreciate the significance of this players action.

Real Bedford’s statement incorrectly mentions dangerous tackles on many occasions, which quite frankly is astonishing as to where they have obtained this from – again video evidence will show the correct story. The second incident started from a horrible tackle from behind with no intention of winning the ball by Jordan Brown on one of our players. Difference being you didn’t see any of our players crowding the offender as Real Bedford players did with me in the first incident. You’ll see from the footage that a number of Langford players simply moved Jordan Brown away from the player injured on the floor and walked away, Jordan has directly come back and targeted me and you can quite clearly see him tugging at the back of my Patka. The Referee was told by myself and the linesman what Jordan Brown had done but again no repercussion for pulling on a religious head covering? 

You may be aware that this incident has gained significant traction online with over 1 million views in just 24 hours and now a news article. Langford and myself have not partaken in any of these social media interactions. I personally do not think Jordan Brown or anyone at Real Bedford is racially profiling, I think they are just uneducated on the matter however this does not excuse their actions and repercussions need to be taken. The Referee needs to answer to why he thought actions of pulling on my Patka were not serious enough to be taken into consideration, it was his job to protect me from such incidents but failed. There needs to be more awareness from players and referees to prevent incidents like this occurring in the future. 

Senator of Oklahoma (USA) James Lankford has released an open letter calling for India to be designated a “Country of Particular Concern”, joining calls from members of the American Sikh community.

The call from Senator Lankford came as part of a general request for the USCIRF (United States Commission for International Religious Freedom, an office of the United States Department of State) to release a delayed report which will explain why it omitted India from its list of countries of concern for 2022.

In the open letter, Lankford highlighted that “India was not formally designated despite overt and repeated severe violations of religious freedom”, also adding that “Formally designating countries under IRFA (International Religious Freedom Act) can be an effective diplomatic tool to encourage and secure changes in behavior”.

Read Lankford’s letter here-

American Sikh community figure and Norwich (Connecticut) City Council member Swaranjit Singh said of the open letter “I urge US federal leaders to add their voices to Senator Lankford’s and stand with minorities on human rights issues in India and around the globe“. Swaranjit Singh Khalsa, who is also a sevadaar (selfless servant) of official United Nations NGO (Non-Government Org) Council member the World Sikh Parliament, has long campaigned to have the USA recognize India’s human rights abuses against its minorities, such as the Sikhs. Swaranjit Singh has taken up these efforts with the backing of countless American Sikhs who have voiced concerns about India’s abuse of minorities, whilst also speaking on behalf of US based human rights group Justice For All.

Various American Sikh groups have worked with State authorities to highlight the growing fascism of India which has seen ongoing human rights abuses of Sikhs, from police targeting of Sikh activists to state authorities destroying Sikh homes.

Zahir Adil, a non-Sikh team lead for Justice For All’s Save India From Fascism campaign said, “We thank Senator Lankford for this bold stand. We are happy that he has expressed that the United States as a leader of human rights, should continue to ask partner nations to improve in their own records. India’s pluralism and secularism are at risk under Modi and his Nazi inspired ideology of Hindutva (Hindu extremism) and we must oppose its strengthening by all available means.“

Based on Lankford’s request which echoes calls from various groups in the USA, many will be watching closely to see if the US Department of State’s USCIRF team will designate India as a country of concern for 2023.

Media wanting more info/interviews on this topic can email media@sikhpa.com.

The Labour Party’s Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi is among a group of MPs that have condemned the divisive actions of a notorious Hindutva (Hindu extremist) figure spreading anti-Sikh hate.

Rashmi Mishra is an open Hindutva activist that made recent headlines for pushing plans to stage a Hindutva demonstration in Leicester, just months after violence erupted in the city between Hindus and Muslims, with many suggesting this was triggered by Hindutva demonstrations. Speaking to The Telegraph, Tanmanjeet Singh said Mishra is “seeking to divide communities”.

Slough MP Dhesi was joined by fellow Labour MPs Claudia Webbe and Virendra Sharma in condemning the fanatical Hindutva figure’s actions in The Telegraph article. Mishra was exposed as being behind a notorious tweet from the “Inspiring Indian Women” account (since deleted) which threatened Sikhs with another genocide, causing Southall MP Sharma to resign as a patron of the group. This is said to be just one example of her anti-Sikh rhetoric, with Mishra also said to be behind Hindutva WhatsApp propaganda, which is known to be a source of inflammatory misinformation.

Mishra has close ties to another former patron of the now defunct Indian women’s group, Conservative House of Lords member and fellow Indian ultranationalist Rami Ranger, with some even accusing her of being paid by Ranger to run campaigns against those exposing their divisive agenda. Ranger has won the ire of UK Sikhs many-a-time for his advocation of Indian ultranationalist anti-Sikh rhetoric, and even replication of their tactics, seen when he threatened a UK Sikh community figure with violence openly in a Tweet.

In efforts to stop the influence of the divisive agenda of Mishra, UK Hindu groups have begun work exposing her hate-spreading. Despite Mishra being the focus of current efforts to curtail the growing influence of Hindutva, she is by no means believed to be the only mouthpiece of India’s fascist regime in the UK. Recently MP Bob Blackman of Harrow East, an area with a strong Hindu population, was found to be taking funding from groups linked to the Indian regime. Blackman has been pictured posing in parliament with Mishra.

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

“The role of figures like Rashmi Mishra and at a higher-level Bob Blackman and Rami Ranger, is to justify the well-known fascist actions of the Indian state, and further still attempt to rally people behind it. India is plagued by corruption and intolerance at all levels, but many people profit from this system of governance, so they fanatically defend it by attacking anyone exposing it under the guise of protecting the Hindu nation. This is what Hindutva does for India.

“Through a faith mandate, the Sikh community are bound to exposing the injustice and tyranny of nations like India, where Sikhs often suffer like all minorities do in the country. As such, the Sikh community becomes targets for fanatics like Mishra. It is great that well-intentioned Hindus and MPs are now being more vocal about this Hindutva influence in the UK.

“However, there needs to be real investigations into how deep this goes. In Germany, three Indian intelligence spies targeting Sikhs have been arrested in recent years. In Canada, security experts have been open about Indian intelligence ‘harassing’ Sikhs. Many UK Sikhs believe something similar is happening here but our authorities do not seem to be investigating it. Instead, we get undue focus on ‘Sikh extremism’, which in itself is revealing, especially when Indian media have claimed ‘diplomatic pressure’ is used to get UK authorities to target Sikh activists, which has not resulted in findings of any crimes.

“The UK Sikh community will be hoping the exposing of dangerous Hindutva fanatics like Rashmi Mishra is just the beginning of efforts to deal with Hindutva in the UK.”