Sikhs for Justice chief, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has issued a threat to several schools in Punjab asking students to stay at home and not attend the Republic Day events.
Several schools in the Patiala area received an email allegedly from Pannun urging them to suspend participation in the Republic Day celebrations. “R-Day Patiala: SFJ faceoff with Bhagwant Mann,” the subject line of the email read.
“Children stay home – stay safe… Parents, this is a stern advice: Do not send your children to the Republic Day celebrations at Polo Ground with Bhagwant Mann. SFJ will be present in Patiala on January 26,” the mail read.
Punjab has been on a state of high alert after Intelligence agencies flagged a threat from the Khalistani elements. Earlier the Republic Day celebrations were to be held at the Faridkot Stadium, but the same was shifted to the Patiala Polo Ground after pro-Khalistani graffiti was found. The government however said that the venue had not been changed due to any threat. It was due to the flying conditions the government added.
The Khalistani elements have upped their game especially in Punjab ahead of the Republic Day celebrations. Pro-Khalistan graffiti had been found on the main entrance of the Faridkot town earlier today. On January 23 similar graffiti and flags were found near the Nehru Stadium in Faridkot.
Punjab on very high alert
The Intelligence agencies have warned that these Khalistani elements will look to create trouble on Republic Day. The finding of graffiti and Khalistani flags have certainly raised major concerns. Furthermore, an Intelligence Bureau official tells Organiser that the Punjab police cannot take matters lightly as the Intelligence intercepts collected are actionable in nature.
In addition to the incidents in Punjab, the likes of Pannun are constantly issuing threats in a bid to incite the people. He has warned Punjab Chief Minister, Bhagwant Singh Mann against taking part in the Republic Day celebrations. He told him not to tread the path of Beant Singh or else he too would meet with the same fate. We make a call to the youth walking on the pathos Dilawar Singh. Do not hold the Indian flag. Hold the flag of Khalistan, Pannun also said.
The International Problem
At Donald Trump’s inauguration a video went viral in which Pannun is raising pro-Khalistan slogans. Pannun made it appear as though he had been invited for the event. However, the reality is that he had purchased a ticket to attend the event.
It is unclear what the position of the Trump administration would be regarding the Khalistan issue. The earlier administration had said that it was satisfied with New Delhi’s response on a case that related to the assassination of Pannun. However, the US has done little to stop the likes of the Sikhs for Justice chief and allows him to make statements against India and live on their soil without the fear of action.
While the United States has not been as brazen in the support of the Khalistan elements living on its soil, it has however done little to curb the problem. Pannun realises that any action against him would be hard to come by since he does not violate the laws in that country. However, he continues to spew venom against New Delhi knowing fully well that the US would not act against him. Could this change under a Trump administration which has a zero-tolerance policy towards terror? Time will tell.
The Ministry of External Affairs while commenting on Pannun said that New Delhi will continue to raise such issues with the US. Any issue that has a bearing on our security will be raised at the highest levels, the ministry also said.
Canada on the other has been very problematic for New Delhi when it comes to this issue. Support came in from none other than the Prime Minister of the country. Justin Trudeau who relied on the support of Khalistani elements has made reckless allegations against India on this issue. The killing of a proscribed terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil was blamed on India by Trudeau. However, Trudeau had to step down owing to poor ratings and fading support. He will remain in office until a replacement is found.
The United Kingdom too has been soft on these elements. In this country not just the Khalistanis, the Islamic radicals too have had a field day. Earlier this week the Kangana Ranaut starrer Emergency movie screening was interrupted by Khalistani elements. These elements pushed through security carrying flags and enter the cinema hall. They handed out pamphlets and created a ruckus which forced the management to stall the screening. While the management did nothing to help the response by the police who arrived ten minutes later was disappointing. When the movie goers complained to the police, they were told that no action could be taken as these persons were well within their rights to stage a protest.
Such a response from the UK is hardly surprising. The country has given a platform to several anti-India elements. There have been seminars that have been held to discuss the Kashmir issue despite New Delhi making amply clear that it is an internal issue.
Recently a report by Amnesty International accused the US of deliberately destabilising human rights on the global stage for its own political ends. Britain was weakening human rights protections nationally and globally, the report added. “The UK is deliberately destabilising the entire concept of universal human rights through its appalling domestic policies and politicking,” the report also said.
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