Terrorist Pannu instigates the youth of Punjab by releasing video messages.
The five-year ban imposed by the Central Government on the organization ‘Sikhs for Justice’ (SFJ) led by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu has been upheld by the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) tribunal.
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The ban on this organization, which has been banned since 2019, has been extended for the next 5 years. Delhi High Court judge and UAPA tribunal chairman Justice Anup Kumar Mendiratta said that the evidence presented by the central government makes it clear that SFJ has links with Khalistani terrorist organization Babbar Khalsa International and Khalistan Tiger Force.
Apart from this, this organization in collaboration with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is trying to revive terrorism in Punjab.
Evidence against SFJ
- Radicalization and recruitment of youth through social media platforms.
- Mobilizing arms and explosives through smuggling networks to finance terrorism.
- Threatening political figures including the Prime Minister and the Home Minister.
MHA’s tough stance against the organization
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in a notification issued on July 9, 2024, had declared SFJ an “illegal organisation” and extended its ban for another five years. MHA had said that the activities of SFJ could endanger the peace, unity and integrity of the country. This organization is engaged in anti-national and subversive activities in Punjab and intends to harm the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India.
SFJ aims to create Khalistan
SFJ aims to create an independent Khalistan nation by separating Punjab from India through violent and extremist means. The ministry also said that SFJ is in close contact with various terrorist organizations and activists and is supporting violent extremism.
This decision strengthens the efforts of the Government of India to curb anti-national activities of SFJ. The government has considered it a major threat to the peace and stability of the country.
SFJ was banned in 2019
In 2019, the Government of India had banned Pannu’s organization SFJ under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act i.e. UAPA on charges of carrying out terrorist activities. This ban was for 5 years. The Home Ministry had said in its notification that under the guise of referendum for Sikhs, SFJ supports separatism and extremist ideology in Punjab.
After this, terrorist Pannu was accused of promoting separatism in the year 2020 and encouraging Punjabi Sikh youth to take up arms. After this, on July 1, 2020, the Central Government declared Pannu a terrorist under UAPA. In 2020, the government banned more than 40 web pages and YouTube channels related to SFJ.
More than a dozen cases against Pannu
There are more than 12 cases registered against SFJ and Pannu in India. These also include 3 cases of treason in Punjab. The dossier prepared by Punjab Police contained information about various separatist posts on social media by SFJ over several years. In these he used to support terrorists.
Misuses social media
Terrorist Pannu is very active on social media. He releases audio and video messages in Punjabi language. In this he instigates Punjabi youth against India. Not only this, by luring money, he has also got Khalistani flag installed in government buildings in Punjab-Haryana.
