In recent months, Canada and the United States have accused India of conducting assassination plots against Sikh separatist leaders in North America, raising questions about the motivations behind such actions by the Indian government.
Despite the decline of the Sikh movement for an independent Khalistan from Punjab, the Indian government continues to view it as a national security threat. This perspective is rooted in concerns over gang warfare, drug trafficking, and extortion linked to Khalistan-related activists in countries like Pakistan and Canada, which Indian officials claim fund terrorism under the guise of a political movement.
Ajai Sahni, executive director of the Institute for Conflict Management in New Delhi, noted that while there are genuine advocates for a Sikh homeland, criminal elements have exploited the Khalistan cause to gain legitimacy as political activists.
The Indian government broadly defines terrorism to include actions that threaten national security, leading to a stringent approach against movements it deems a threat, including Khalistan and various insurgencies.
Gunisha Kaur, a medical director at the Weill Cornell Center for Human Rights, criticized the Indian government's tactics, stating that the narrative of terrorism is used to suppress minority voices. She highlighted the diverse opinions among Sikhs regarding their relationship with India, which are often overlooked by the government.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized the Khalistan threat as a national security issue, aiming to strengthen his image as a protector of the Hindu majority. In response to accusations from Canada regarding the assassination of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Indian government has firmly denied involvement.
A Canadian official recently claimed in Parliament that the campaign against Sikh separatists in Canada could be traced to high-ranking officials in the Indian government, specifically Amit Shah, the Minister of Home Affairs. However, the official did not disclose the evidence supporting this claim.
In retaliation for Canada's accusations, India expelled several Canadian diplomats, while Canada had previously identified some Indian diplomats as agents of India's foreign intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), involved in intimidation efforts.
In a related case, the U.S. government has charged an Indian citizen, alleged to be a RAW agent, with directing a foiled assassination attempt against Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who described the incident as a blatant act of transnational terrorism.
The ongoing tensions have brought renewed attention to the Khalistan movement, which, although largely supported by a small segment of the Sikh diaspora, has historical roots in the region. The separatist cause peaked in the 1980s, culminating in significant violence, including the occupation of the Golden Temple and the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Despite the decline of Sikh militancy in India by the 1990s, the movement persists in various global communities, particularly in Canada, where many Khalistan supporters reside. The Canadian government has stated it cannot arrest individuals solely for supporting a foreign separatist movement, citing protections for freedom of speech.
India's National Investigation Agency has long targeted Khalistan figures, linking them to a "terrorist-gangster-drug smuggler nexus." The agency has pursued individuals like Lakhbir Singh Sandhu, accused of conspiring against the state, and has offered rewards for information leading to his capture.
The assassination of Nijjar, who was also on India's terrorist list, has further complicated the issue, as he was accused of involvement in extortion and gang-related activities.
The Khalistan movement's sensitivity is heightened by its association with Pakistan, which has historically supported the movement to destabilize India. Analysts suggest that the drug trade between India and Pakistan has become intertwined with terrorism, complicating the security landscape.
While the Khalistan cause is often dismissed as fringe, concerns about the radicalization of Punjabi youth persist, particularly in light of Punjab's economic challenges and high rates of drug addiction. Experts warn that without adequate employment opportunities, disillusioned youth may be drawn to extremist ideologies.
Lakhwinder Singh, a visiting professor of economics, emphasized the need for job creation to prevent social unrest, drawing parallels between past and present challenges faced by the youth in Punjab.