Indian nationalist attacks on Sikh diaspora escalating

Violent incidents in Canada and Australia demonstrate an escalation in Indian nationalists’ efforts to intimidate diaspora Sikhs for supporting the #FarmersProtest, according to many.

An attack on a carful of Sikhs in Sydney (Australia) and an incident which saw an Indian nationalist nearly drive a car into a group of Sikhs in Surrey (Canada) have triggered a wave of international concern, amid ongoing differences linked to the #FarmersProtest.

The attacks against Sikhs come after months of diaspora communities exposing ongoing human rights abuses of the Indian government in reaction to the #FarmersProtest. Hundreds of millions of farmers, including millions of Sikhs, are opposing three new exploitative agricultural laws imposed by India’s BJP government without farmer consultation. There is also evidence of the Indian state paying goons to disrupt #FarmersProtest support.

Along with the physical attacks this week, a statement released on 3rd March by the Canadian Hindu Advocacy organisation directly threatened mobs “walking the sidewalks in front of Sikh temples” in Brampton. This follows the unclaimed organisation of a “Proud Indians” car rally in the UK which stated demonstrations would be made outside of Gurdwaras in Southall and Birmingham, although no rally was held in the end. Nevertheless, there was enough concern to prompt UK Home Secretary Priti Patel to write a letter condemning the proposed rally (see below). There have also been calls to repeat the #SikhGenocide of 1984 by Bollywood stars and other Indian groups.

Indian nationalists are attacking Sikhs based on the belief that exposing the Indian government’s human rights abuses is anti-national. Indian “Godhi” media are seen as playing a key role in this, through constant anti-Sikh propaganda, demonising dissent against the state. Indian politicians have historically used anti-nationalist accusations against Sikhs to redirect any focus on government corruption, incompetency and callous treatment of citizens.

The incidents do not represent the first attacks of this kind. Indian nationalists have held rallies in Fremont, (USA) and Sydney (Australia) in an attempt to oppose movements showing support to the #FarmersProtest. In Brampton (Canada), many such demonstrations have already taken place, including one which led to the arrest of an Indian nationalist for possession of a gun, during an attempt to intimidate local Sikhs. In the UK, protests against India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and against India’s treatment of Kashmir have also seen comparatively very small counter-protests held by Indian nationalists in direct opposition.

Sikhs across the world remain alert to the threat of Indian nationalists, especially considering many more prominent rallies and events are planned to show support for the #FarmersProtest, including a march to the Lincoln Memorial on 20th March.