Gurpatwant Singh Pannunn, a prominent figure in the pro-Khalistan movement and leader of the separatist organization Sikhs for Justice, has gained attention not for promoting constructive dialogue or peaceful coexistence, but for his inflammatory rhetoric and constant threats aimed at Indian diplomats, Prime Minister. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the population of India, and the country’s territorial integrity.
Pannun’s words often deviate from the path of diplomacy, stray into the realm of aggression and hostility, and raise concerns about the impact of advocacy on regional stability and bilateral relations.
In the latest case of Pannun making headlines in India again, the declared terrorist threw his weight behind Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi who commented on the plight of the Sikh community in India.
Addressing a meeting in Washington DC where, according to government sources, many pro-Khalistan Sikhs attended, Gandhi “justified the SFJ’s global Khalistan Referendum campaign” when he said: “The battle in India is whether Sikhs will be allowed to wear the turban. and Kadha, to the gurdwara.”
Not long after, Pannun endorsed the Congress leadership, making a statement: “Rahul’s statement about the ‘existential threat to Sikhs in India’ is not only bold and pioneering, but also based on factual history of what Sikhs have faced under successive regimes. India since the year 1947 and also supported the SFJ’s stance on the justification for the Punjab Independence Referendum to establish the Sikh homeland of Khalistan.
This is not the first time that Pannun has used inflammatory language to incite violence against India and Indians with a disregard for diplomatic norms and their willingness to escalate tensions.
Pannun’s public statements almost always cross the line from peaceful advocacy to outright hostility where he openly calls for Punjab’s secession from India, advocating for an independent state of Khalistan. The calls, coupled with threats to Indian diplomats, have raised serious concerns about the potential impact on regional stability and diplomatic relations.
Furthermore, his alleged involvement in organizing a campaign against India’s territorial integrity was seen in the dissemination of provocative material through social media channels.
Moreover, Pannun’s vocal opposition to PM Modi has escalated beyond the realm of political disputes to a level that has raised concerns about the potential for violence.
News18 looks back at the leader’s controversial statements in the past, from threats to blow up Air India planes to defamation of Indian diplomats:
• On November 19 last year, Khalistani leaders threatened to blow up an Air India plane unless they claimed that the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi would remain closed on that date and its name would be changed. “We request Sikhs not to fly with Air India. From November 19, there will be a global blockade. Air India will not be allowed to operate. Sikhs, please do not travel with Air India after November 19. Your life may be in danger,” Pannun said in the video. which went viral on social media.
• He called Punjab’s residents “people who live in the Occupation”, threatening to attack India. He added that India is in control of Punjab and “violence will breed violence”.
• Threatening Hindus in Canada in September 2023, Pannun said the Indian High Commission is responsible for the killing of pro-Khalistan terrorist Nijjar. Pannun called Nijjar a “martyr” and said the pro-Khalistan Sikh was “always loyal to Canada and he always sided with Canada”.
• Khalistani terrorists have threatened PM Modi, Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, Home Minister Amit Shah, and NSA Ajit Doval. Challenging India’s territorial integrity, he raised the slogan ‘Dilli Banega Khalistan’.
• Pannun is threatened with extinction, to take over the territory of Himachal Pradesh and instigated residents to not allow then Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jairam Thakur to raise the Indian Tricolour. He said after liberating Punjab, the next target is Himachal.
• The declared terrorist also threatened Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma about action against radical Sikh priest Amritpal Singh and his associates. Asserting that Assam was not a part of India, the SFJ wrote a letter to the ULFA in Assam to destabilize the country and demand an ‘independent’ Assam.
• Called Renu Yadav, the Indian diplomat in Ramallah, Palestine, the face of Indian terror, who instigated people to come out against him and target him online. He also called for the closure of the Indian consulate in Palestine.
• After the Assembly elections in Punjab, Pannun said that no party will be allowed to be active in Punjab. “Anyone who opposes ‘kesari’ will be branded with ‘khanda’ (Nishan Sahib),” he said, adding that those who want the Tricolor should leave Punjab and go to Delhi.
• He also issued an open threat to PM Modi, saying that Indians should stay indoors on January 26 “because this is an issue between Sikhs and Indians”.
• Pannun issued an ultimatum to Indian diplomats in Canada and openly called for a boycott, blaming them for Nijjar’s murder. He also released a video from the United Nations headquarters and said that the flag of Khalistan will be raised at the United Nations.
• Khalistan sympathizers celebrated the perpetrators who vandalized the Radha Soami Satsang Beas and painted graffiti on the walls, reading ‘Khalistan Zindabad, Pakistan Zindabad’. He also raised slogans like ‘Hindustan Murdabad’ and gave an ultimatum to the followers of Radha Soami.
• He opened violent rallies outside Indian embassies around the world on July 8.
