13,401
edits
no edit summary
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 25: | Line 25: | ||
| successor = | | successor = | ||
| formation = {{start date and age|2007|10|}} <!-- or: | established = --> <!--e.g. use {{start date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}}--> | | formation = {{start date and age|2007|10|}} <!-- or: | established = --> <!--e.g. use {{start date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}}--> | ||
| founder = Gurpatwant Singh Pannu <!-- or: | founders = --> | | founder = [[Gurpatwant Singh Pannu]] <!-- or: | founders = --> | ||
| founding_location = [[United States]] | | founding_location = [[United States]] | ||
| extinction = <!-- or: | dissolved = --> <!--e.g. use {{end date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}}--> | | extinction = <!-- or: | dissolved = --> <!--e.g. use {{end date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}}--> | ||
| Line 70: | Line 70: | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Sikhs for Justice''' ('''SFJ''') is a US-based secessionist group that supports the secession of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] from India as [[Khalistan movement|Khalistan]]. Founded and primarily headed by lawyer Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, it has numerous other active members. It was banned by India in 2019 as an unlawful association after consultation with major representatives bodies of the Sikh community, which was followed by mass appreciation of the ban by the Punjab Government.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/separatist-sikh-group-draws-more-scrutiny|title=Separatist Sikh group draws more scrutiny|last=hermes|date=July 27, 2019|website=The Straits Times|language=en|access-date=November 4, 2019}}</ref> As of 2019 it campaigns for a Punjab independence referendum to carve out a separate Khalistan as a part of its separatist agenda.<ref name="HT">{{cite web |last1=Sen |first1=Sudhi Ranjan |title=Government bans US-based pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/government-bans-pro-khalistan-group-sikhs-for-justice/story-crKO7zAE1T9lGtfVNxbwsK.html |website=Hindustan Times| date=July 10, 2019 |accessdate=August 9, 2019}}</ref><ref name="GN">{{cite news |last=Kalvapalle |first=Rahul |title=Sikh group plans to hold Khalistan referendum polling in Canadian cities in 2020 |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4439381/khalistan-referendum-2020-sikhs-for-justice-canada/ |work=Global News | date=October 3, 2018 |accessdate=August 9, 2019}}</ref> | '''Sikhs for Justice''' ('''SFJ''') is a US-based secessionist group that supports the secession of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] from India as [[Khalistan movement|Khalistan]]. Founded and primarily headed by lawyer [[Gurpatwant Singh Pannu]], it has numerous other active members. It was banned by India in 2019 as an unlawful association after consultation with major representatives bodies of the Sikh community, which was followed by mass appreciation of the ban by the Punjab Government.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/separatist-sikh-group-draws-more-scrutiny|title=Separatist Sikh group draws more scrutiny|last=hermes|date=July 27, 2019|website=The Straits Times|language=en|access-date=November 4, 2019}}</ref> As of 2019 it campaigns for a Punjab independence referendum to carve out a separate Khalistan as a part of its separatist agenda.<ref name="HT">{{cite web |last1=Sen |first1=Sudhi Ranjan |title=Government bans US-based pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/government-bans-pro-khalistan-group-sikhs-for-justice/story-crKO7zAE1T9lGtfVNxbwsK.html |website=Hindustan Times| date=July 10, 2019 |accessdate=August 9, 2019}}</ref><ref name="GN">{{cite news |last=Kalvapalle |first=Rahul |title=Sikh group plans to hold Khalistan referendum polling in Canadian cities in 2020 |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4439381/khalistan-referendum-2020-sikhs-for-justice-canada/ |work=Global News | date=October 3, 2018 |accessdate=August 9, 2019}}</ref> | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
| Line 80: | Line 80: | ||
=== Referendum campaign in Punjab === | === Referendum campaign in Punjab === | ||
SFJ started organizing a campaign for 'Referendum 2020' for secession of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] state from [[India]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Amid Protests In India, Separatists to Hold Punjab Referendum 2020 Rally in UK Today|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/amid-protests-in-india-separatists-to-hold-punjab-referendum-2020-rally-in-uk-today-1841629.html|access-date=June 27, 2020|website=News18|language=en}}</ref> Gurpatwant Singh Panun announced in November 2018 that the SFJ will establish a permanent office in [[Lahore]] for facilitating the registration of voters and giving information to Sikhs about it. He also stated that banners regarding the referendum and images of [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]] had been posted around [[Nankana Sahib]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pak allows SFJ to open 'Referendum 2020' office in Lahore|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/pak-allows-sfj-to-open-referendum-2020-office-in-lahore/articleshow/66758012.cms|access-date=July 10, 2020|website=Times of India|language=en}}</ref> The group also has at times expressed support for a greater Khalistan whose territory straddles parts of [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]] province of [[Pakistan]] and has invited non-Sikhs to register for voting.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Khalistani outfit SFJ wants Greater Khalistan with headquarters in Pakistan's Lahore|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/khalistan-outfit-sikhs-for-justice-sfj-headquarters-lahore-pakistan-1641786-2020-01-30|access-date=July 10, 2020|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> | SFJ started organizing a campaign for 'Referendum 2020' for the secession of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] state from [[India]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Amid Protests In India, Separatists to Hold Punjab Referendum 2020 Rally in UK Today|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/amid-protests-in-india-separatists-to-hold-punjab-referendum-2020-rally-in-uk-today-1841629.html|access-date=June 27, 2020|website=News18|language=en}}</ref> Gurpatwant Singh Panun announced in November 2018 that the SFJ will establish a permanent office in [[Lahore]] for facilitating the registration of voters and giving information to Sikhs about it. He also stated that banners regarding the referendum and images of [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]] had been posted around [[Nankana Sahib]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pak allows SFJ to open 'Referendum 2020' office in Lahore|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/pak-allows-sfj-to-open-referendum-2020-office-in-lahore/articleshow/66758012.cms|access-date=July 10, 2020|website=Times of India|language=en}}</ref> The group also has at times expressed support for a greater Khalistan whose territory straddles parts of [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]] province of [[Pakistan]] and has invited non-Sikhs to register for voting.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Khalistani outfit SFJ wants Greater Khalistan with headquarters in Pakistan's Lahore|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/khalistan-outfit-sikhs-for-justice-sfj-headquarters-lahore-pakistan-1641786-2020-01-30|access-date=July 10, 2020|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> | ||
[[Sukhpal Singh Khaira]], MLA of [[Punjab Legislative Assembly]] and the Leader of Opposition at the time, said, "Sikh Referendum 2020 was a result of consistent policy of bias, discrimination and persecution towards the Sikhs by successive governments in India”, though he clarified that he did not support the referendum. Chief Minister of Punjab [[Amarinder Singh]] rebuked him.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Referendum 2020 reverberates in Punjab politics|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/referendum-2020-reverberates-in-punjab-politics|access-date=June 27, 2020|website=SBS Your Language|language=en}}</ref> The [[Shiromani Akali Dal]] and the [[Bhartiya Janata Party]] also criticized Khaira for his statement, with former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister [[Sukhbir Singh Badal]] asking the AAP chief [[Arvind Kejriwal]] to act against the Punjab LoP.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Referendum 2020 reverberates in Punjab politics|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/referendum-2020-reverberates-in-punjab-politics|access-date=June 27, 2020|website=SBS Your Language|language=en}}</ref> | [[Sukhpal Singh Khaira]], MLA of [[Punjab Legislative Assembly]] and the Leader of Opposition at the time, said, "Sikh Referendum 2020 was a result of consistent policy of bias, discrimination and persecution towards the Sikhs by successive governments in India”, though he clarified that he did not support the referendum. Chief Minister of Punjab [[Amarinder Singh]] rebuked him.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Referendum 2020 reverberates in Punjab politics|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/referendum-2020-reverberates-in-punjab-politics|access-date=June 27, 2020|website=SBS Your Language|language=en}}</ref> The [[Shiromani Akali Dal]] and the [[Bhartiya Janata Party]] also criticized Khaira for his statement, with former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister [[Sukhbir Singh Badal]] asking the AAP chief [[Arvind Kejriwal]] to act against the Punjab LoP.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Referendum 2020 reverberates in Punjab politics|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/language/english/referendum-2020-reverberates-in-punjab-politics|access-date=June 27, 2020|website=SBS Your Language|language=en}}</ref> | ||
| Line 91: | Line 91: | ||
==Criminal accusations== | ==Criminal accusations== | ||
As of July 2019, there were 12 criminal cases that were being pursued by Indian agencies namely [[National Investigation Agency]], [[Punjab Police (India)|Punjab Police]] and [[Uttarakhand Police]] who have also arrested 39 people associated with the SFJ in India.<ref name="HT" /> In lieu of the activities by SFJ, a [[red corner notice]] has also been issued by [[INTERPOL]] in October 2019,<ref name="tribuneindia">{{cite news |title=India for Interpol notice against 3 Khalistan ultras |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india-for-interpol-notice-against-3-khalistan-ultras/847641.html |accessdate=November 28, 2019 |work=Tribuneindia}}</ref> against Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, and other Khalistani terrorists.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.zengatv.com/indiatoday.html?v=af6c80f2-9a8a-4164-be44-e925a73c64d5&t=videos|title=India Today|website=www.zengatv.com|language=en-us|access-date=November 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/@MsZubaidaMir/what-does-the-red-corner-notice-issued-against-khalistani-gurpatwant-singh-pannu-mean-9df3b4bb6a51|title=What does the red corner notice issued against Khalistani Gurpatwant Singh Pannu mean?|last=Mir|first=Zubaida|date=November 20, 2019|website=Medium|language=en|access-date=November 28, 2019}}</ref> According to Chief Minister of Punjab, [[Captain Amarinder Singh]], SFJ "had unleashed a wave of terror in Punjab in recent years" and deserved to be called a terrorist organisation. He welcomed the decision to ban the SFJ as a step towards protecting India from secessionist and anti-Indian plans of the organisation he described as backed by [[Pakistan's ISI]].<ref name="HT" /> Later in January 2020, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) tribunal chaired by Delhi High Court Chief Justice DN Patel sustained the decision of ban on the secessionist group. Citing the | As of July 2019, there were 12 criminal cases that were being pursued by Indian agencies namely [[National Investigation Agency]], [[Punjab Police (India)|Punjab Police]] and [[Uttarakhand Police]] who have also arrested 39 people associated with the SFJ in India.<ref name="HT" /> In lieu of the activities by SFJ, a [[red corner notice]] has also been issued by [[INTERPOL]] in October 2019,<ref name="tribuneindia">{{cite news |title=India for Interpol notice against 3 Khalistan ultras |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india-for-interpol-notice-against-3-khalistan-ultras/847641.html |accessdate=November 28, 2019 |work=Tribuneindia}}</ref> against Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, and other Khalistani terrorists.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.zengatv.com/indiatoday.html?v=af6c80f2-9a8a-4164-be44-e925a73c64d5&t=videos|title=India Today|website=www.zengatv.com|language=en-us|access-date=November 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/@MsZubaidaMir/what-does-the-red-corner-notice-issued-against-khalistani-gurpatwant-singh-pannu-mean-9df3b4bb6a51|title=What does the red corner notice issued against Khalistani Gurpatwant Singh Pannu mean?|last=Mir|first=Zubaida|date=November 20, 2019|website=Medium|language=en|access-date=November 28, 2019}}</ref> According to Chief Minister of Punjab, [[Captain Amarinder Singh]], SFJ "had unleashed a wave of terror in Punjab in recent years" and deserved to be called a terrorist organisation. He welcomed the decision to ban the SFJ as a step towards protecting India from secessionist and anti-Indian plans of the organisation he described as backed by [[Pakistan's ISI]].<ref name="HT" /> Later in January 2020, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) tribunal chaired by Delhi High Court Chief Justice DN Patel sustained the decision of ban on the secessionist group. Citing the evidence presented, as the reason for the decision, the committee said that since the activities of the group were "unlawful", "disruptive" and "threaten the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of India" and SFJ was "working in collusion with anti-India entities and forces", therefore, "the Central Government had sufficient cause to take action under the [[Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act|Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)]] for declaring Sikhs For Justice as an unlawful association."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/uapa-tribunal-upholds-ban-pro-khalistan-group-sikhs-for-justice-1635319-2020-01-09|title=UAPA Tribunal upholds ban on pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice|date=January 9, 2020|last=PTI|website=India Today|access-date=February 10, 2020}}</ref> | ||
A member of the group was arrested in Malaysia alongside 16 other suspects, including [[ISIS]] members, for planning to kill local political leaders in September 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/sikh-woman-among-16-terror-suspects-arrested-by-malaysian-police-2107832|title=Sikh Woman Among 16 Terror Suspects Arrested By Malaysian Police|website=NDTV.com|access-date=September 26, 2019}}</ref> Also, out of the four terrorists arrested in [[Tarn Taran Sahib|Tarn Taran]] blast case in [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], one revealed that they were tasked to kill the leaders of various Deras in India by Sikhs for Justice.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/punjab-four-khalistan-zindabad-force-terrorists-arrested-in-taran-taran-1602155-2019-09-23|title=Punjab: Four Khalistan Zindabad Force terrorists arrested in Taran Taran|first=Manjeet |last=Sehgal|date=September 23, 2019|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=October 28, 2019}}</ref> Furthermore, the [[Kartarpur Corridor]] that has been opened up for Sikhs, is reportedly being used for Khalistani propaganda by SFJ.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://liistudio.com/security-increased-at-kartarpur-corridor-after-terror-camps-were-spotted-near-gurudwara-darbar-sahib/24563/|title=Security increased at Kartarpur Corridor after 'terror camps' were spotted near Gurudwara Darbar Sahib {{!}} Liist Studio|language=en-US|access-date=November 5, 2019}}</ref> The [[Haryana Police]] in July 2020 registered a [[first information report]] against Pannun for encouraging terrorism, promoting secessionism through automated phone calls and accusing people of [[Haryana]] of being against the interests of Punjabis as well as the Sikhs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/case-against-pro-khalistan-group-member-gurpatwant-singh-pannun-in-haryana-for-inciting-terrorism-2256822|title=Case Against Pro-Khalistan Group Member In Haryana For Inciting Terrorism|access-date=July 10, 2020}}</ref> Meanwhile in Punjab state, Pannun is booked for alleged links with terror modules. Another member [[Paramjit Singh Pamma]] also faces a murder charge.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ludhiana/sfj-its-propagators-faces-multiple-cases-in-punjab/articleshow/70183989.cms|title=Gurpatwant Singh Pannun faces multiple cases in Punjab|access-date=July 10, 2020}}</ref> | A member of the group was arrested in Malaysia alongside 16 other suspects, including [[ISIS]] members, for planning to kill local political leaders in September 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/sikh-woman-among-16-terror-suspects-arrested-by-malaysian-police-2107832|title=Sikh Woman Among 16 Terror Suspects Arrested By Malaysian Police|website=NDTV.com|access-date=September 26, 2019}}</ref> Also, out of the four terrorists arrested in [[Tarn Taran Sahib|Tarn Taran]] blast case in [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], one revealed that they were tasked to kill the leaders of various Deras in India by Sikhs for Justice.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/punjab-four-khalistan-zindabad-force-terrorists-arrested-in-taran-taran-1602155-2019-09-23|title=Punjab: Four Khalistan Zindabad Force terrorists arrested in Taran Taran|first=Manjeet |last=Sehgal|date=September 23, 2019|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=October 28, 2019}}</ref> Furthermore, the [[Kartarpur Corridor]] that has been opened up for Sikhs, is reportedly being used for Khalistani propaganda by SFJ.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://liistudio.com/security-increased-at-kartarpur-corridor-after-terror-camps-were-spotted-near-gurudwara-darbar-sahib/24563/|title=Security increased at Kartarpur Corridor after 'terror camps' were spotted near Gurudwara Darbar Sahib {{!}} Liist Studio|language=en-US|access-date=November 5, 2019}}</ref> The [[Haryana Police]] in July 2020 registered a [[first information report]] against Pannun for encouraging terrorism, promoting secessionism through automated phone calls and accusing people of [[Haryana]] of being against the interests of Punjabis as well as the Sikhs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/case-against-pro-khalistan-group-member-gurpatwant-singh-pannun-in-haryana-for-inciting-terrorism-2256822|title=Case Against Pro-Khalistan Group Member In Haryana For Inciting Terrorism|access-date=July 10, 2020}}</ref> Meanwhile in Punjab state, Pannun is booked for alleged links with terror modules. Another member [[Paramjit Singh Pamma]] also faces a murder charge.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ludhiana/sfj-its-propagators-faces-multiple-cases-in-punjab/articleshow/70183989.cms|title=Gurpatwant Singh Pannun faces multiple cases in Punjab|access-date=July 10, 2020}}</ref> | ||