Authorities in the United States have said that an Indian government official directed a failed plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist on US soil, as they announced charges against a man accused of orchestrating the attempted murder.

On Wednesday, federal prosecutors said that Nikhil Gupta, a 52-year-old Indian man, had worked with an Indian government intelligence and security worker in a clandestine effort to kill a Sikh activist in New York.

Prosecutors did not name the Indian official or the target, but described the target as a critic of the Indian government and an advocate for an independent Sikh state in the Punjab region, home to a large number of Sikhs and once the site of a movement to create Khalistan – a Sikh homeland independent from India.

Gupta was arrested by Czech authorities in June and is awaiting extradition.

“The defendant conspired from India to assassinate, right here in New York City, a US citizen of Indian origin who has publicly advocated for the establishment of a sovereign state for Sikhs,” said Damian Williams, the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan.

Prosecutors said that Gupta allegedly planned to pay an assassin $100,000 to carry out the killing.

The charges have come a week after a senior member of the administration of President Joe Biden said that the US had thwarted a plot to kill a Sikh separatist in the US, and two months after Canadian authorities accused the Indian government of involvement in the assassination of a Sikh activist in Canada.

That official said Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who says he is a dual citizen of the United States and Canada, was the target of the foiled plot.

India’s embassy in Washington was yet to comment on the charges.

New Delhi has rejected allegations that it was behind the June murder of Canadian Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, but Canadian authorities have stood firmly behind the claim and pulled dozens of diplomats from India in response.

“The news coming out of the United States further underscores what we’ve been talking about from the very beginning, which is that India needs to take this seriously,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa on Wednesday.

According to US prosecutors, the official recruited Gupta in May 2023 to orchestrate the assassination. Gupta had previously told the official he had been involved with trafficking drugs and weapons.

Gupta next reached out to someone he believed was a criminal associate for help hiring a hitman, but that associate was actually a US Drug Enforcement Administration undercover agent, prosecutors said.

The day after Nijjar was killed, Gupta wrote to the undercover DEA agent saying Nijjar “was also the target” and “we have so many targets,” according to prosecutors.

Gupta faces two counts of murder-for-hire and murder-for-hire conspiracy. He faces a maximum sentence of 20 years if convicted.

India has described Sikh separatism as a national security threat, and fought a brutal campaign against armed separatists seeking the establishment of a Sikh state in Punjab, commonly referred to as Khalistan, in the 1980s.

While India has continued to crack down on activists who support Khalistani separatism, analysts have said that the movement has long ceased to be a serious force in India.

The Modi government has consistently hyped up the Khalistani threat to India,” Hartosh Bal, executive editor of The Caravan magazine in India, previously told Al Jazeera.

“I think, again, because it suits them domestically to talk about security threats to the Indian nation, rather than the actual measure of threat on the ground from the movement.” (Al Jazeera)

The post US says Indian gov’t official directed plot to assassinate Sikh activist appeared first on Newswire.

Darshan Singh Dhaliwal, a member of the Sikh community, on Tuesday, said that India is working hard to fight against terrorism.

“India is really working hard to fight terrorism. And we can see it back home and every place else. There are very few people who are kind to us,” Dhaliwal said as he was heading to the 9/11 Memorial.

On September 11, 2001, terrorists al Qaeda hijacked four aeroplanes and carried out suicide attacks in the United States in which 2,977 people lost their lives.

Two of the planes were flown into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, a third plane hit the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C., and the fourth plane crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in New York today on his first official State visit to the US.

Meanwhile, another Indian origin residing in the US, Vipin Dutta said, “I am from Jammu and Kashmir and have seen terrorism first hand. I’ve been living in the US for the last 25 years and we have seen what has happened to the Kashmiris and Hindus in Jammu and Kashmir. And terrorism and terrorists are always a bad thing all over the world.”

“The US has seen it during 9/11. So we are trying to show our sport and solidarity with the world’s biggest two democracies. We are basically coming together. If you look at the bigger picture, they are coming together to fight against racism all over the world. And India as well as America, as everybody knows, is spearheading it,” he added.

Earlier on Tuesday, PM Modi received a grand reception upon his arrival at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York. PM Modi was received by India’s Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu and India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj.

Risha Vijayappa, representing the interface community about Hindus, Sikhs and Jainism said that she is in support of 9/11 victims.

Another Indian origin said that India, Israel and the US now “recognize that the terrorism which was being perpetuated by the Pakistani terrorists at the border now they call that out before they were not ready to believe. So there’s been a fundamental shift and Modiji has categorized stood with everybody.”

He also pointed out PM Modi’s statement this is not an era of war” and said which world leader has the courage to tell this to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. He also stated that with this statement, PM Modi sent a clear message, “There is just no room in the world for any acts of terrorism.”

PM Modi is also going to address the joint sitting of the Congress, the first Indian PM to address the Congress twice. In 2016, PM Modi spoke about how India and US have overcome the hesitations of the past during his Congress address.

Ricky Kej, a renowned musician, described it as a remarkable fusion of two nations–one being the largest democracy on Earth and the other known as the oldest democracy.

Meanwhile, three-time Grammy award-winning musician Ricky Kej said, “I am in New York for Prime Minister Modi’s visit. It is a beautiful amalgamation of two countries, one is the largest democracy on this earth and the other is said to be the oldest democracy on earth. We’re going to the 9/11 Memorial because it’s a heart-wrenching site and a constant reminder that terrorism in any form is absolutely not acceptable. We are here in full solidarity with the families of the victims to show that what happened to them was absolutely wrong and should not happen again.” (ANI)

The post “India is working hard to fight terrorism”: Member of Sikh community appeared first on Newswire.

In the wake of posting a video on the Khalistan movement on social media, Harman Singh Kapoor, a Sikh restaurant owner from London, has been facing death threats. His restaurant was attacked by pro-Khalistan supporters, an incident that occurred just days after the Indian High Commission in London was vandalised.

Harman’s video, which garnered two million views in two days, led to abusive calls, social media trolling, and threats against him and his family. Harman claimed that the threats began after he posted a video on TikTok, in which he said “This Khalistan movement started a while back and then it died down. Today again, a section of people who are settled in Canada, in England and Australia want Khalistan but those in India don’t want it.”

Following the video, Harman alleged that he received death threats and his restaurant was attacked. The attackers demanded that he remove the video, raise pro-Khalistan slogans, and burn the Indian flag, or face death.

Harman said his wife and his daughter even received several rape threats. “Our address was put online with calls to rape and kill them. Videos of miscreants licking the pictures of my wife and daughter were posted as well,” he added.

An independent report, Bloom Review, released on April 26, documented similar cases of individuals being intimidated and threatened by aggressive Sikh activists. According to the report, politicians, public figures, academicians, and officials have been harassed and threatened by pro-Khalistan supporters.

Despite the police’s assurance of safety and special safeguarding measures, Harman and his family have continued to receive online threats. They have experienced three attacks, and the family does not feel safe, as the attackers remain at large.

Harman’s case raises questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement in addressing such threats and protecting citizens. The Bloom Review report recommended that the government uphold the right to hold beliefs and freedom of expression but impede the advance of subversive groups attempting to fracture majority Sikh communities and negatively impact societal stability.

As of now, no one has been charged in connection with Harman’s harassment or the vandalism of the Indian High Commission, and concerns about safety in the presence of law enforcement personnel remain. The Bloom Review report warned that without stern action, the situation could worsen, ultimately becoming a problem for the UK rather than India. (Khalsa Vox)

The post Sikh Family in London Targeted Over Anti-Khalistan Video, Awaits Justice appeared first on Newswire.

The World Sikh Chamber of Commerce (WSCC) hosted an event on Sunday to celebrate the opening of its local chapter in Amritsar. The event aimed to provide a unique networking platform for Sikh entrepreneurs, businessmen, and intellectuals to come together, discuss, and promote the Sikh principles of ‘seva’ or charity.

Parmeet Singh Chadha, the global chairman of WSCC, led the foundation stone ceremony, and Rajinder Singh Marwaha was appointed as the president of the Amritsar unit of WSCC. The event also saw the honouring of 13 philanthropic Sikhs who have made significant contributions to various charitable causes aimed at the welfare of needy Sikhs.

Among the honourees were renowned philanthropist Inderjit Singh Gogoani, retired principal Navtej Singh Novelty, journalist Jaswant Singh Jass, and Harinderpal Singh Chugh of Hemkunt Builders. Other recipients of the honour included Surinderpal Singh, Parvinder Singh, Amarjit Singh, Dolly Sarabjit Singh Raju, Surinder Kaur, Inderbir Singh Walia, Satinder Singh, Additional Sessions Judge PS Rai, and Principal BS Ball.

Rajinder Singh Marwaha shared that WSCC is a non-profit organisation registered under the Indian Trust Act, with a presence in more than 25 states, over 40 cities in India, and more than 30 countries worldwide. The organisation was formed in 2020 with the aim of providing a platform for Sikh entrepreneurs and philanthropists to connect, share ideas, and promote the Sikh principles of charity and community service. (Khalsa Vox)

The post World Sikh Chamber of Commerce Recognizes Philanthropic Leaders appeared first on Newswire.

“Do we have to die for the police to take action,” said an anguished Harman Singh Kapoor, a Sikh restaurant owner from London, who is facing threats to his life after he recently posted a video on social media on the Khalistan movement.

Harman’s restaurant was attacked by pro-Khalistan supporters, which came days after the Indian High Commission in London was vandalised by them.

Harman and his family — wife Khushi and two children — alleged that they have been attacked three times, repeatedly trolled on social media and intimidated by abusive calls. They claimed their car was being followed since he posted the video where he asked the people to make calls for Khalistan to be made in India and not in foreign countries like the United Kingdom or Canada.

In an exclusive interview with India Today, Harman said the attacks started when he posted a video on TikTok. He said, “This Khalistan movement started a while back and then it died down. Today again, a section of people who are settled in Canada, in England and Australia want Khalistan but those in India don’t want it. So, I said in the video that those who need Khalistan should go back to India and ask for it.”

Referring to the anti-Sikh riots of 1984, Harman said those who do not subscribe to the concept of Khalistan should not suffer.

RECEIVED THREATS AFTER POSTING VIDEO

Harman alleged that he received death threats after he posted the video on TikTok.

“After I posted the video, I got two million views for it in two days. But, I started getting calls to take down the video else they would kill me and my family. I wondered who could threaten me like this as I am in the UK. However, five people came and attacked my restaurant,” Harman said.

Harman alleged the attackers asked him to remove the post and raise slogans like “Khalistan Zindabad” and “Hindustan Murdabad”. They also told him to burn India’s flag or else he would be killed.

“I wonder if these people are asking for Khalsa raj or gunda raj,” Harman said.

There are many people like Harman who are intimidated to remain quiet.

An independent report on ‘How government engages with faith’, called The Blooms review released on April 26, quoted several such examples.

“This review’s evidence gathering also found repeated cases of individuals being intimidated and threatened by aggressive Sikh activists, either directly or indirectly through family members, for openly standing against them,” the report said.

UK POLICE ON HARMAN’S CASE

India Today wrote to the UK Police about Harman’s case.

“Officers attended and spoke to the victim, who explained that a group of men turned up at the venue and made threats to kill him and his family. They left the scene prior to a police team arriving. Enquiries were carried out and special safeguarding measures were put in place,” police told India Today.

HARMAN’S WIFE, DAUGHTER RECEIVED ONLINE RAPE THREATS

The police did come and assured us of our safety, Harman said. But he and his family started receiving online threats. Harman said his wife and his daughter received rape threats.

“Our address was put online with calls to rape and kill them. Videos of miscreants licking the pictures of my wife and daughter were posted as well,” he added.

On March 22, a group of pro-Khalistan supporters protested outside the Indian High Commission in London. While the protest took place in the afternoon, the attack at Harman’s restaurant happened the same evening at 6.30.

On March 19, a group of pro-Khalistan supporters vandalised the Indian High Commission and shattered windows, destroyed doors, got on the balcony and pulled the Indian flag down. The police at the time made one arrest and released the person on bail to appear at a later date in June.

UK POLICE ON HARMAN’S RESTAURANT ATTACK

Referring to the attack on Harman’s restaurant, UK Police told India Today they reached the location in response to the call in “15 minutes”.

They said, “We have been in regular contact with him (Harman) and are working to put extra safeguarding measures in place to ensure that he feels safe returning home. This includes panic alarms being installed at relevant properties and the offer of alternative accommodation. Our investigation is progressing, led by detectives from CID. This includes reviewing CCTV and other enquiries. We will continue to update the victim on a regular basis.”

HARMAN’S HOUSE ATTACKED

Harman said another attack took place on March 23 at their house at 7:30 pm.

“Police reached out to us. They said they would come again in two days to take our statements and arrest the suspects. But it is more than two weeks now,” said Harman, who went underground to dodge the threats but had to come back to work.

The family is living in constant fear and does not feel safe as the attackers are still at large.

“Police told us that we are not on priority because nothing has happened to us. Unless someone is injured or hurt or killed, they can act in full force. Those who are harassing us know that till they don’t touch us, the police won’t do anythingâ€æ So, these people are out in the open — threatening and harrasing us — while the police are waiting for us to be killed so that they can take action,” Harman alleged.

“Do we have to die for the police to take action,” he remarked.

OTHER PUBLIC FIGURES FACED SIMILAR THREATS, SAYS REPORT

The Blooms report mentioned that politicians, public figures, academicians and officials — some of whom have high-profile status — recalled incidents when pro-Khalistan supporters harassed and threatened them.

Quoting their experience, the report observed, “At times they have felt disparaged, victimised, harassed or threatened by aggressive Sikh activists who do not hesitate to abuse or bully anyone who either criticises them or does not follow or support their opinion. Many have been intimidated and called ‘traitors’, ‘impure’, ‘nastic’ (infidel) and ‘patits’ (heretics).”

“Members of different political parties who have served in public office have given examples of how they felt pressured to do what these activists wanted, and how some Sikh activists claim to have power over not only the ballot box, but also the selection processes of different local parliamentary and political bodies,” it said.

One public servant said they “would live in fear” of retribution if they were to speak out against the ideological narrative of the activists. Others have confirmed that investigations into this type of extremist behaviour are long overdue, the report added.

Making recommendations, the report further said, “The right to hold certain beliefs should always be upheld, as should the right to freedom of expression of those beliefs. But the government must take extra care to ensure that the beliefs and subsequent behaviours of individuals or organisations do not conflict with or undermine democratic order. The government must allow for the proper level of engagement with British Sikh communities, but it must also impede the advance of subversive groups which attempt to fracture majority Sikh communities and negatively affect the stability of our society.”

“It is important that the government neither overlooks nor fails to be discerning when it comes to concerns regarding extremist ties when selecting the individuals and groups responsible for representing British Sikhs at official and political levels,” it stated.

From people like Harman being harassed and attacked to the Indian High Commission being vandalised, no one has been charged till now. A feeling of being unsafe is legitimate here despite the presence of law enforcement personnel.

“Freedom of speech works both ways and the government must take some stern actionâ€æelse this vandalism could take a worse turn and it will be a problem for the UK, not India,” the Blooms report said. (India Today)

The post Do we have to die for cops to take action: Sikh restaurant owner in UK faces death threats over Khalistan post appeared first on Newswire.