Did you know that the Indian government was planning to assassinate a separatist Sikh activist living in America This is what the Financial Times revealed in a controversial report. In this article, we will discuss this topic and its implications for International Relations, Human Rights and the Khalistani movement.
Indian assassination plot: how India tried to kill a Sikh activist in America and what are the repercussions
1-who is the Sikh activist
- The Sikh activist is gurbatwant Singh Bannon, a lawyer and legal adviser to the Sikh Organization for justice, which advocates the establishment of an independent Sikh state in India called Khalistan.
- Bannon is an American citizen of Indian origin, who has been living in New York since 1994.
- Bannon considers himself a defender of human rights and democracy, and says that he seeks justice for the victims of the violence that occurred in India against Sikhs in 1984.
- The Indian government has classified Bannon and his organization as terrorists and organized criminals, accusing them of inciting secession, rebellion, sabotage and conspiracy against the state.
- Bannon denies these accusations and says that he is exercising his right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and is demanding an unofficial referendum to gauge Sikh opinion on independence.
- What is his organization and what are its goals
- His organization is Sikhs for justice, a non-governmental organization based in New York, founded in 2007.
- Its goals are to defend the rights of Sikhs and demand the establishment of the Khalistan state in India, which it considers their historical and religious homeland.
- Its means are information, legal, political and people's campaigns, which include the organization of rallies, demonstrations, conferences, petitions and referendums.
- Its vision is for Sikhs to be a free, independent, prosperous and united people in their own state.
- What is the Indian government and what is its position on it
- The government of India is the Federal Government of the Republic of India, a Democratic state consisting of 28 states and 8 Union Territories.
- Its position on him is that he is an enemy of the state, a saboteur, an instigator of separatism and violence, and that he threatens the unity, sovereignty and security of India.
- Its actions against him are to try to extradite, prosecute, imprison or kill him, prevent his activities, organization and supporters in India and abroad .
- Its motives against him are the preservation of public order, the fight against terrorism, the reduction of external influence and the preservation of political and economic dominance in Punjab and neighboring regions.
- Who were involved in the conspiracy, How Was it discovered, by whom, when, where and what were the reactions from both sides and from other countries
- Those involved in the conspiracy are officials of the Indian Ministry of foreign affairs, the Indian Intelligence Agency, a group of mercenaries and collaborators.
- The plot was discovered by the American authorities, who received information from secret sources, investigations, eavesdropping and surveillance.
- The plot was discovered in late 2022, and the Indian government was warned by the White House in January 2023 .
- The plot was discovered in New York, where the Sikh activist lives and conducts his activities.
- The reactions from both sides and from other countries were mixed and contradictory, on the one hand, the United States, Canada and Sikh human rights organizations condemned this plot and considered it a violation of human rights and international law, and on the other hand, India denied and defended its position and accused the Sikh activist and his organization of terrorism and incitement .
2-India-America relations:
- India-Canada relations: these relations were also negatively affected by this issue, as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the Indian government for involvement in the murder of another separatist Sikh leader on Canadian soil. The Sikh leader is Harjit Singh Sajwan, who is the chairman of the Khalistani movement International, which is considered a terrorist organization by India. Sajwan was shot dead by unknown assailants in Toronto in October 2022. Trudeau said he had evidence that the Indian government was behind the crime. This accusation was denied by India, calling it "absurd". This issue could lead to a deterioration in relations between the two countries, which are already experiencing disagreements due to Canada's pro-Sikh and anti-Indian positions on issues such as Kashmir, farmers and nuclear cooperation.
- Relations between India and other countries concerned: these relations have been affected differently depending on the position of each country
3 - relations between India and other concerned countries:
these relations have been affected differently depending on the position of each country on the issue and the Khalistani movement. Some countries supported India and stressed the need to preserve the unity, sovereignty and security of India, some countries supported the Sikhs and stressed the need to respect their rights and demands, and some countries took a neutral, conservative or differentiated position. This issue may affect bilateral and multilateral relations between India and these countries, and on regional and international issues of interest to them.
4-Sikh activist's rights:
the Sikh activist's rights and fundamental freedoms have been seriously affected by this case, he has been subjected to an assassination attempt by the Indian government, which is a flagrant violation of his right to life, security and protection from torture and inhuman treatment. He has also been threatened, intimidated, defamed and prosecuted by the Indian authorities, in violation of his rights to freedom of expression, assembly, association and political participation. He has also been subjected to discrimination, isolation and disregard by some countries and international communities, which constitutes a violation of his right to dignity, equality and solidarity.
- The rights of the Sikh community in India and abroad: the rights of the Sikh community and fundamental freedoms have also been negatively affected by this issue, they have been subjected to repression, persecution and violence by the Indian government, security forces and extremist groups, which is a violation of their rights to life, security and protection from torture and inhuman treatment. They have also been subjected to discrimination, marginalization and deprivation by the Indian state and society, which is a violation of their rights to freedom, justice, development, education, health and culture. They have also been subjected to fragmentation, discrimination and distortion by some states and international communities, which constitutes a violation of their rights to identity, belonging and solidarity.
- Efforts and initiatives to protect and support the rights of the Sikh activist and the Sikh community: some human rights and humanitarian organizations are conducting efforts and initiatives to protect and support the rights of the Sikh activist and the Sikh community in India and abroad, they include:
- Providing legal, financial and moral support to the Sikh activist, his organization, his supporters, his family, his lawyer and witnesses.
- Documenting, publishing and submitting complaints, reports, statements and evidence about violations and irregularities suffered by Sikhs in India and abroad.
- Organizing, supporting and participating in campaigns, marches, demonstrations, conferences, petitions and referendums to raise awareness, solidarity, pressure and demand the rights of Sikhs, recognize them and respond to their demands.
- Cooperation, coordination and dialogue with states, international, regional and local organizations and communities to influence policies, decisions and agreements related to the rights and interests of Sikhs.
5-What is the Khalistani movement, what is its history, goals and demands
- The Khalistani movement is a political, religious and cultural movement that seeks to establish an independent Sikh state in northwestern India, called Khalistan, which means "land of the pure" in Punjabi.
- The history of the Khalistani movement dates back to the nineteenth century, when Sikhs began to feel oppressed and oppressed by British rule and Indian rule after independence. But the movement broke out strongly in the Eighties of the last century, after the Indian government conducted a controversial military operation in the Golden harem, the holy place of the Sikhs, which resulted in the death of thousands of Sikhs and the destruction of part of the temple. Sikhs were also subjected to massacres, persecution and discrimination by security forces and Hindu extremist groups, which led to the death and displacement of more Sikhs.
- The goals of the Khalistani movement are to obtain independence, sovereignty, freedom, dignity, justice and equality for Sikhs, preserve their identity, culture, religion, traditions, language, history and heritage.
- The demands of the Khalistani movement are the complete withdrawal of Indian troops from Punjab and neighboring regions, international recognition of the state of Khalistan, compensation for victims and those affected by violence and repression, the release of Sikh political prisoners and detainees, protection and guarantee of the rights of minorities and Sikh communities in India and abroad.
- What forces and factors support or oppose it
- The forces and factors supporting it are Sikhs and Sikh communities in India and abroad, some countries, international, regional and local organizations and movements that support the cause of independence, the right to self-determination, human rights and minorities, and some personalities, institutions, media, art and cultural media that express their solidarity and support for Sikhs and their demands.
- The forces and factors that oppose it are the Indian government, security forces, extremist and Hindu nationalist groups, some states, international, regional and local organizations and movements that support the cause of unity, sovereignty, security and stability of India, and some personalities, institutions, media, art and culture that criticize, attack or distort Sikhs and their demands.
- What means and methods do they use to achieve their goals
- The means and methods you use are diverse and variable depending on the circumstances, opportunities and challenges you face. They include:
- Peaceful, civil and popular struggle, which includes organizing and participating in campaigns, marches, demonstrations, conferences, petitions, referendums, strikes, civil disobedience and other peaceful forms of expression, awareness-raising, solidarity, lobbying, demanding the rights of Sikhs, recognizing them and responding to their demands.
- Armed, military and resistance struggle, which includes the formation, training, arming, financing, implementation, coordination and support of Sikh groups, organizations, movements, factions, cells, agents and collaborators who carry out attacks, operations, assassinations, bombings, kidnappings, sabotage, insurrection and secession against the Indian government, security forces, vital, civil, military, political, economic, religious and cultural goals.
- Political, diplomatic and legal struggle, which includes the formation, representation, negotiation, cooperation, dialogue, participation and influence of parties, organizations, movements, councils, communities, foundations, lawyers, activists, consultants, speakers, correspondents, observers, analysts, and
.In this article, we addressed the topic of the Indian government's plot to assassinate a separatist Sikh activist living in America and its implications for International Relations, Human Rights and the Khalistani movement. We have seen that this issue raises many issues, problems and challenges that need fair and peaceful solutions and settlements. We call for respect for Human Rights and fundamental freedoms of all parties, cooperation and dialogue between them to achieve peace, stability and development in the region. We hope this article was useful and informative for you and your readers.
