An Indian anti-terror agency has seized the properties of a notorious Sikh separatist involved in terror activities in the country. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said that Gurpatwant Singh Pannun – whose properties in Chandigarh and Amritsar were seized last week – “wants to create many countries by dividing India.” The agency said the move was part of its crackdown on the secessionist network run by Pannu and his group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ).
SFJ was declared an outlawed organization by the government of India on July 1, 2020, and has been organizing non-binding referendums for Khalistan in Western countries, mainly the United States and Canada. Its members, including the founder Pannun, have been actively encouraging Sikh youngsters and the general public in Punjab to fight for the cause of an independent state of Khalistan, which challenges the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation, NIA investigators have told Sources.
Pannun has also been active on social media, urging people to protest against the Indian high commissioner to Canada and calling for a ‘demonstration’ outside the high commission in Toronto. The SFJ leader has even urged Hindus living in Canada to leave, saying that Canadian soil is exclusively for Sikhs.
This has created a diplomatic row between the two countries and sparked concern among the Indian community living in Canada. As a result, a petition was recently filed in a Canadian court, asking that the high commissioner be removed from his position. The petitioners have alleged that the high commissioner is biased and has been acting by the orders of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is trying to please the hardline Khalistanis for cheap vote bank politics.
The petitioners have asked the Canadian authorities to ensure the safety of Indian diplomats in the country, particularly the embassy staff. They have also demanded an apology from the Canadian government for failing to protect Indian diplomats.
With Trudeau making pro-Khalistan noises and Jagmeet Singh threatening PM Modi, there is no doubt that the Khalistani menace has only risen. This is aided by Big Brother USA and UK, which shelter hardline Khalistanis and allow them to carry out their violent activities under the cover of the rule of law and freedom of speech. Moreover, the inextricable synergy between terrorists like Pannu and sycophants such as Jagmeet Singh is evident from their blatant attempts to destabilize India.