ISLAMABAD: A major Sikh temple in the United States has urged the Department of Justice to investigate the Hindu American Foundation (HAF), accusing the Pennsylvania-based group of acting as a ‘foreign agent’ for India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
According to a report by The Guardian, the Fremont Gurdwara, which serves 5,000 Sikh worshippers each week, has alleged that the HAF has consistently supported the positions of the BJP and the Modi government.
The Sikh temple requested the US Department of Justice to investigate the Hindu American Foundation and register it as a foreign agent.
The Gurdwara added that the group should be transparent about its activities, including any interactions with US lawmakers and connections to the Indian government.
A spokesperson for the Gurdwara in a letter to US Attorney General Pam Bondi said that the HAF has facilitated meetings between foreign officials and US lawmakers, hosted foreign officials at its events, and publicly supported the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on both domestic and international matters.
In response to the Fremont Gurdwara’s statements, the Hindu American Foundation accused the Gurdwara of supporting the Khalistan movement.
The foundation also claimed that supporters of the Khalistan movement, which seeks an independent Sikh state, have been behind a “coordinated campaign” against the HAF.
It is pertinent to mention that the Indian government’s alleged terror activities have expanded internationally since 2014.
After the killing of a Canadian Sikh leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, India’s operations targeting Sikh figures in other countries have come under intense scrutiny.
The Canadian government had said there were ‘credible allegations that ‘agents of the Indian government’ were behind Nijjar’s death.
The US government also confirmed that an Indian agent planned to assassinate American citizen and Sikh activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
According to Al Jazeera, the Hindu American Foundation intensified its political activities in the United States after Narendra Modi came to power.
If the US Department of Justice determines that the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) is acting on behalf of the Indian government, the organization would be required to disclose its activities and any financial connections to India under foreign agent registration laws.
