Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) sent a pre-recorded message to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s residence with threats to bomb Parliament and Red Fort, apart from from preparing a list of children of police officers and politicians studying in foreign countries to take revenge, the government has revealed. SFJ is facing a total of 104 cases – 96 filed by States/UTs police and eight by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The Government of India has revealed shocking details about the unlawful activities of the SFJ. The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal has upheld the ban on the SFJ imposed by the Government of IndiaThe Centre has stated that the Khalistani organisation, led by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, is spreading anti-India propaganda by organising protests and pro-Khalistan rallies against Indian dignitaries. The SFJ has also filed court cases against Indian dignitaries in Europe, Canada, the USA, and other countries.
“Pannun is reported to have raised substantial funds for the commission of terrorist acts and the assassination of important leaders, public figures, and government officials to intimidate the government and the Indian public at large. He intends to use these funds for terrorist activities with the ultimate objective of creating Khalistan,” the order stated.
“The SFJ has also claimed to have prepared a list of children of police officers and politicians studying in foreign countries to take revenge if its activists are tortured,” the government informed the tribunal.
A United States district court has already issued summonses to the Indian government, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and former R&AW chief Samant Goel while hearing a civil case filed by Pannun.
In July last year, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) extended the ban on SFJ, which was upheld by the Tribunal led by Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta.
“The unlawful and disruptive activities on record threaten the peace, unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of India. The association supports violent extremism in Punjab, and there can be no space for an organisation that openly advocates secessionism and undermines India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. There is a strong foundation for declaring SFJ an ‘unlawful association’ under sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UA(P)A),” Justice Mendiratta stated in his order.
“Pannun had instigated protesting Indian farmers to arm themselves and fight against Indian forces, stating that weapons would reach them from across the border. SFJ has also claimed to have prepared a list of children of police officers and politicians studying abroad to take revenge if its activists are tortured,” the order added.
104 Cases Against SFJ
There are 104 cases against SFJ – 96 registered by State/UT police and eight by the NIA. Among these, 55 cases have been registered by the Punjab Police, 13 cases each by the Haryana Police and Delhi Police, six cases by the Himachal Pradesh Police, three cases by the Assam Police, two cases by the Gujarat Police, one case each by the Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Chandigarh Police.
A Voice Message For the Defence Minister
According to the order, on 22 July last year, a pre-recorded voice message was received at the landline of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s residence. The government stated that the message was sent by Pannun to warn Members of Parliament.
The call originated from an international number, and efforts are underway to identify the user with assistance from Interpol, the Ministry of Home Affairs stated.
Threats to Political Leaders, Judiciary, and Diplomats
Defending the ban, the government stated that the SFJ has repeatedly threatened India’s political leaders, government officials (including police officers), diplomats, judiciary members, and even their families and relatives abroad.
“SFJ organises ‘justice rallies,’ ‘genocide conferences,’ ‘seminars,’ ‘fundraising rallies,’ ‘freedom rallies,’ protests, and files baseless court cases against visiting Indian dignitaries in Europe, Canada, and the USA to defame them and incite anti-India sentiments among the Sikh diaspora,” the government’s notification based on the judgment stated.
“SFJ has also incited disruptions of major events such as the Cricket World Cup. Many known terrorists support SFJ and use the Referendum platform to radicalise, recruit, and initiate Sikh youth into terrorist activities. Holding the Indian Government responsible for the recent deaths or killings of foreign-based SFJ activists or sympathisers, SFJ has threatened to avenge them,” the notification added.