AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Chandigarh: India’s focus on Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and the demand for Khalistan has led to increased security measures across Punjab, highlighting concerns over the exiled Sikh leader’s call to boycott Republic Day celebrations in the state.
According to a statement by Kashmir Media Service, graffiti supporting Khalistan and calls for a boycott appeared across various locations, including a flyover in Faridkot, causing alarm among Indian authorities. In response, Punjab Police painted over the slogans and heightened security, reflecting the state’s apprehension about the movement’s growing influence in Punjab and among the Sikh diaspora.
Emails purportedly sent by the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) group to schools in Patiala, urging them to avoid Republic Day events, further alarmed authorities. Indian officials labeled the emails as a tactic by Pannun to disrupt order, yet their response suggests ongoing challenges in addressing historical grievances that fuel the Khalistan movement.
In Amritsar, 2,500 police personnel were deployed following Pannun’s call to raise Khalistan flags at government sites. The venue for Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s Republic Day event moved from Faridkot to Patiala after pro-Khalistan graffiti emerged at a stadium in Faridkot.
Instead of engaging with the Sikh community’s demands, India has labeled Pannun a “fugitive hiding abroad,” with Patiala DIG Mandeep Singh Sidhu accusing him of misleading youth with false promises. This stance reflects the state’s anxiety over Pannun’s growing influence.
Political analysts suggest that India’s approach of suppressing pro-Khalistan voices through force and propaganda, rather than dialogue, underscores its struggle to address underlying issues. The Khalistan movement continues to challenge India’s democratic claims, as the state’s actions seem to affirm the legitimacy of the calls for justice and self-determination led by Pannun and his supporters.
The post India Intensifies Security in Punjab Amid Pannun’s Boycott Call appeared first on pakistannewsgazette.com.