CISF constable who slapped Kangana influenced by Khalistani Ties and Anti-India Sentiments; Here’s what to know

CISF Constable Kulwinder Kaur was arrested and suspended after slapping actress and newly elected BJP MP from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, Kangana Ranaut, at Chandigarh airport. The incident has ignited widespread controversy and revealed deeper connections to anti-India activities, raising serious security concerns.

The altercation occurred when Constable Kaur, reportedly upset over Ranaut’s past remarks about the farmers’ protests, slapped the MP at the airport. Kulwinder Kaur is the sister of Sher Singh Mahiwal, the organisational secretary of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, which played a significant role in the large-scale protests against the now-repealed farm laws.

Kaur, a 35-year-old Punjab’s Sultanpur Lodhi constable, joined the CISF in 2009. She has been serving with the aviation security group at Chandigarh airport since 2021. Known for her impeccable service record, this incident is her first major disciplinary issue. She is a mother of two, and her husband is also posted at the same airport. According to officials, Kaur had no prior vigilance inquiries or punishments against her in the force. Her strong sentiments reportedly drove her actions regarding Ranaut’s stance on the farmers’ protests.

Escalating the situation, Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu released a video praising Kaur’s actions and announcing a $10,000 reward (approximately eight lakh Indian rupees) for her. In his propaganda video, Pannu lauded Kaur for slapping Kangana and reaffirmed his support for the Khalistani movement while also using derogatory language against PM Narendra Modi.

Pannu, born in Punjab but residing in Canada and the United States for several years, has been declared a terrorist by India. His organisation, Sikhs for Justice, is banned in the country. Pannu is notorious for his anti-India rhetoric on social media, frequently advocating for the establishment of Khalistan. Last year, the United States claimed that Indian citizen Nikhil Gupta had plotted to assassinate Pannu in New York. This case drew significant attention and strained relations between the two nations.

Adding to the controversy, the case has brought to light potential connections between Kaur’s family and other prominent figures in the Khalistani movement, including Amritpal Singh. Amritpal Singh, a radical preacher and leader of the Waris Punjab De organisation, has been a vocal supporter of the Khalistan movement and has played a significant role in mobilising support for the cause. Indian authorities have closely monitored his activities due to their potential to incite unrest and separatist sentiments.

Kaur’s brother, Sher Singh Mahiwal, and their family’s alleged involvement in anti-India activities raise questions about the broader network of support for the Khalistani movement within India. Friends and acquaintances from Punjab suggested that Kaur’s family has received significant funding from Canada to support Khalistan protests, raising alarm about internal security threats.

Following the incident, the CISF ordered a court of inquiry and lodged an FIR against Kaur. Rekha Sharma, the chairperson of the National Commission for Women, condemned the breach and stated that the panel had taken up the matter with the CISF. “Those responsible for security at the airport are themselves breaching security,” Sharma said, highlighting the gravity of the situation.

Further investigations have uncovered potential links between Kaur’s family and anti-India activities, with allegations of significant funding from Canada to support the Khalistan protests. The involvement of figures like Amritpal Singh further complicates the narrative, indicating a more extensive and organised effort to promote separatist ideologies.