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Pakistan’s Role In Khalistan Advocacy Raises Concerns

Documents unveiled in 2018 link Pakistan’s ISI to this initiative, painting a picture of a well-orchestrated campaign aiming to destabilize India’s northern frontier. …writes Dr. Jasneet Bedi

The recent surge in pro-Khalistan sentiments in countries like Canada, the US, the UK, and Australia has not only taken the Indian government by surprise but has also revealed the intricacies of global politics.

While these nations shelter behind the guise of ‘democratic processes’, the crux of the matter is that the Khalistan Referendum has turned into a chessboard where pawns are moved by forces external to the Sikh community.

Let’s begin by unraveling the “Referendum 2020” campaign. Touted as a grassroots movement for Sikh rights, its origins are murkier than they appear.

While the initiative supposedly stands for the independence of the Indian Punjab, there is no call for the inclusion of West Punjab, which lies in Pakistan. The glaring omission only reinforces India’s long-held suspicions about Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence’s (ISI) hand in fanning the flames of separatism.

Khalistan

Documents unveiled in 2018 link Pakistan’s ISI to this initiative, painting a picture of a well-orchestrated campaign aiming to destabilize India’s northern frontier.

Pakistan’s strategy is clear: as the nation struggles with international scrutiny over its Islamist militant groups, the Khalistan agenda serves as a covert channel to achieve its objectives.

Events such as the Punjab Referendum Conference in 2018 and the London Declaration on Punjab Independence Referendum 2020 illustrate the global reach of this campaign.

However, the involvement of dubious personalities like Lord Nazir Ahmed, a convicted felon, not only challenges the legitimacy of these gatherings but also underscores Pakistan’s insidious designs.

Logo of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence organization(wikipedia)

Interestingly, the narrative is not just being driven through offline events. The surge in Twitter accounts promoting the Khalistan agenda, corroborated by Google Trends, paints a picture of a digital warfare strategy. In the age of information, it’s clear that the battle for Khalistan is as much online as it is on the ground.

The connections don’t just stop at the ISI. Pakistan’s overt support can be witnessed through figures like Ghazala Habib, head of Friends of Kashmir, and Gurparwant Singh Pannu’s audacious letter to former PM Imran Khan.

Their intertwined relationships and public endorsements are hardly covert, revealing a direct line between Khalistan advocates and Pakistan’s establishment.

While the Khalistan referendum might parade as a voice of the Sikh diaspora, its underpinnings suggest a nefarious agenda driven by external influences.

It’s high time that nations housing these activities recognize the machinations at play and prioritize global peace over localized politics. After all, in this game of chess, it’s not just India’s peace at stake but the stability of the entire South Asian region.

ALSO READ: Unmasking Khalistan’s Distorted View Of Sikh Aspirations

ALSO READ: Khalistan Extremism On The Rise In West, Says Colin Bloom

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Khalistan Extremism On The Rise In West, Says Colin Bloom

Mr. Bloom voiced his apprehensions regarding Western governments’ inaction in confronting the troubling and assertive conduct exhibited by certain individuals within the Sikh community….reports Dr. Jasneet Bedi

Colin Bloom, a former adviser to the UK government and renowned author, has raised a red flag regarding the growing menace of Khalistan extremism in Western countries.

In a recent interview, Mr. Bloom expressed his concerns over the lack of action by Western governments in addressing this sinister and aggressive behavior among some members of the Sikh community.

This article delves into his observations and emphasizes the urgent need for collective action to counteract this disturbing trend.

It is crucial to note that the majority of the Sikh population in Western countries does not endorse extremist ideologies.

These radical elements within the community are causing immense frustration and disappointment among law-abiding Sikh individuals who want no part in such activities.

Western Governments’ Inaction

Colin Bloom highlights the Western governments’ failure to address and tackle the rise of extremist and aggressive behavior within the Sikh community.

He asserts that British Sikhs, who have reached out to him, feel abandoned by their government. The same sentiments likely echo in Canada and the United States, where similar issues persist.

Mr. Bloom insists that Western governments, including the UK, US, and Canada, should collaborate to address this growing concern. He calls for stronger efforts to protect Sikhs who distance themselves from extremist elements.

Khalistan

Urgent Need for Action

The recent incident in which a Sikh restaurant owner’s car was shot at and vandalized in West London demonstrates the gravity of the situation. It is clear that these extremist elements pose a significant threat to both individuals and communities.

Mr. Bloom urges the British government, as well as other Western governments, to step up their efforts to protect those who want nothing to do with such extremism.

He also emphasizes the importance of monitoring online materials, as they can play a pivotal role in radicalization. If left unchecked, this issue could spiral out of control, leading to more intimidation and harm to innocent people.

False Appearance of Legitimacy

Colin Bloom’s report for the UK government warns that some pro-Khalistan Sikh groups aim to inflate their influence by masquerading as human rights activists.

These groups present a false image of legitimacy while engaging in subversive, sectarian, and discriminatory activities. It is vital to recognize that the actions of these fringe groups do not represent the true nature of the broader Sikh community in Western countries.

Colin Bloom’s report and his recent comments highlight the pressing need for Western governments to address the escalating Khalistan extremism issue. The disruption of events involving Indian officials, threats against vocal individuals, and the potential for further harm necessitate immediate attention and action.

It is incumbent upon Western governments to protect their Sikh communities from the divisive and dangerous actions of a small minority while upholding the values of free speech and religious freedom. Failure to do so may allow this issue to spiral out of control, harming more people and damaging the fabric of multicultural societies.

ALSO READ: ‘Chinese Firm Providing Cybersecurity For Khalistan Referendums’

ALSO READ: Khalistani Network Struggles, Looks to Forge Alliances

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London Sikhs Reject Khalistan Referendum

Another flop show by Khalistanis in London. Despite massive campaigns on social media and Sikh habitats, just over 2000 people voted in London… A special report by Asian Lite News

Despite massive campaigns on social media and Sikh habitats, just over 2000 people from the 500,000 plus Sikh community participated in the Khalistan referendum organised by the Sikhs for Justice in London.

The Khalistan referendum, which was held at Queen Elizabeth Hall in London on Sunday, failed to invoke any interest in the local community. The organisers were expecting a turn-out of 20,000.

Nazir Ahmed, former Lord at the British parliament, with SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and others during the referendum campaign (File pic)

SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun told Pakistan based Geo News that they will conduct similar referendums in other European countries like Switzerland. SFJ is planning referendums in Australia and North America too.

When asked about the resources to book an expensive venue like Elizabeth Hall, Pannun claimed the event was organised through volunteers and donations.

SFJ, a banned organisation in India, has released a map of the areas marked for secession from India. Declaring Shimla as the Capital of Independent Punjab, SFJ’s map encompasses the areas of pre-1966 Punjab, which includes Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Sikh majority areas of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. However, SFJ’s map conspicuously excludes the Punjab province of Pakistan, where Sri Nankana Sahib, Sri Panja Sahib and Sri Kartarpur Sahib are located, from the Khalistan Referendum and it would not form part of an independent Punjab state.