LONDON: Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the leader of the Pro-Khalistan Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) movement, has vowed to continue the Khalistan Referendum campaign despite India’s efforts to silence him through asset seizures in Indian Punjab and allegations of terror activities.
Pannun’s resolute stance comes in the wake of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s public accusation that India was involved in the assassination of pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a close associate of Pannun.
India’s federal anti-terror agency recently announced the confiscation of properties owned by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the northern state of Punjab. The agency accuses him of engaging in terror-related activities in India, a charge that Pannun vehemently denies.
SFJ’s General Counsel, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, characterized India’s actions as desperate and stemming from shock over the success of the Khalistan Referendum campaign. This campaign has garnered support from tens of thousands of Sikhs in the UK, Canada, Europe, and the United States through Khalistan Referendum voting.
Regarding the seizure of his property, Pannun emphasized that the core issue is not about individual properties but rather the occupation of Punjab by India and the exploitation of its resources. He stated that the upcoming Khalistan Referendum in 2025, with millions of anticipated votes, would serve as a “Sikhs’ Surgical Strike” against India, aiming to liberate Punjab and establish a Democratic Republic of Khalistan (DRK) where all religions would enjoy equal status, rights, and freedoms.
India’s Desperate Actions Against Pro-Khalistan Activists
In 2020, India had requested Interpol to issue a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against Pannun, alleging his involvement in terrorism. However, Interpol rejected the request, citing a lack of evidence linking Pannun to acts of violence or terrorism. Interpol further noted that India’s request appeared to be based on Pannun’s human rights activism and his political campaign for the Khalistan Referendum.
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In recent years, India had also called on the USA and Canada to take action against Pannun, but no action was taken due to the absence of concrete evidence supporting India’s claims.
Tensions between India and Canada escalated following Trudeau’s assertion of credible intelligence linking Indian government agents to the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who led the Khalistan Referendum chapter in Canada under the Sikhs For Justice banner.
This is not the first time India has taken action against Pannun, who reportedly faces over 25 criminal cases in India. The recent seizure by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) includes properties in Chandigarh and Amritsar.
In response to Trudeau’s allegations, Pannun called on the Canadian Prime Minister to expel India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Verma, from the country. Canada’s Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly announced the expulsion of the head of Indian intelligence in Canada, Pavan Kumar Rai, in light of the allegations, marking a significant diplomatic development in the ongoing dispute.
