Amidst a powerful diplomatic push by India issuing démarche to Canada, the United States, the UK, and Australia to disallow pro-Sikh freedom activists from pursuing their democratic rights in respective countries by alleging violence without any substantiation whatsoever, assisted by a vitriolic campaign through mainstream India media and the anti-Sikh army of social media trolls, not to mention the braggadocio and foolhardy statements of a section of the Sikh activists, those in the Sikh resistance movement of Sikhs are not on the defensive but are stepping up their lobbying and community diplomatic efforts to seek justice and to uphold their rights, enshrined in UN conventions and treaties.  WSN editor Jagmohan Singh presents a perspective on conflict resolution.

Of late, the Sikh community, particularly in the Diaspora, has been at the center of discussion and controversy due to the sustained pitch by a vocal section of the Sikh community for an independent state of Khalistan. Advocates for Sikh freedom and self-determination, such as the Dal Khalsa, have been actively pursuing their cause through democratic and peaceful means, aligning themselves with the principles enshrined in the United Nations conventions and international law.

However, it appears that a systematic orchestration is underway to tarnish their image by falsely associating them with acts of violence on Western soil. The recent incident of the attempted arson at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco has sparked a wave of accusations and maligning of the Sikhs.

The pro-Sikh freedom body in India, the Dal Khalsa has denounced these claims as baseless and a deep-rooted conspiracy to portray Khalistanis as violent individuals in the eyes of the global community. Their stance is supported by the fact that reaching such conclusions before a report by the American investigative agencies is released and holding well-wishers of Khalistan guilty amounts to pure prejudice.

“The claims by India are baseless, a conspiracy to portray Khalistanis as violent.”

Dal Khalsa

Leaders of the Dal Khalsa and the American Sikh Caucus Committee, the American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, and the Sikh Coordination Committee East Coast rightly argue that without concrete evidence or thorough investigations by local police and security agencies, it is unjust to accuse anyone. Blaming individuals solely based on the presence of pro-Khalistan graffiti is not only laughable but also ignores the fact that mischievous or hired elements can easily create such slogans. These US-based Sikh bodies have underlined this fact that when such graffiti was seen outside temples in Australia, it was later on It is vital that we uphold the principles of fairness and objectivity in our pursuit of truth.

The Sikh community is facing a dual challenge. On one hand, there have been killings of Khalistanis on foreign soil, allegedly orchestrated by certain elements. On the other hand, violent acts are being associated with Sikh names, further exacerbating the already complex situation.
The Dal Khalsa leaders have made a timely intervention to call upon the Sikh community residing in America and Canada to remain vigilant against these dirty tactics and unite to thwart the nefarious designs of those who seek to malign the Panth.

“Accusing without evidence is unjust; pro-Khalistan graffiti on the walls of the San Francisco Indian consulate can be created by mischievous elements.”

-American Sikh Caucus Committee, American Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Sikh Coordination Committee East Coast.

It is important to recognize that the struggle for Khalistan, as advocated by the Dal Khalsa and other Sikh leaders, is grounded in democratic and political principles. They unequivocally state their commitment to pursuing their cause within the framework of international laws and norms. By doing so, they demonstrate their dedication to non-violence and the peaceful resolution of conflicts.

The American Sikh leaders have rightly demanded a thorough investigation into the incident from the American government, city police, and the FBI. This impartial examination will shed light on the truth behind the arson and help dispel any doubts or baseless accusations. It is imperative that justice prevails, not only for the Sikh community but also for the principles of truth, fairness, and human rights that form the foundation of democratic societies.

The World Sikh Organization of Canada has called upon Canadian intelligence and law enforcement to fully investigate the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, including the role of foreign interference, including from India.

WSO has stated that, “Thousands of Sikhs have fled India due to human rights abuses and oppression. India has a long track record of extra-judicially murdering individuals it accuses of being ‘anti-national’, but seeing this happen in Canada is deeply concerning for our community and should be a wake-up call for all Canadians, our government, and security-intelligence bodies. While this killing may have had the intention of striking fear into the hearts of Sikhs, it will have the opposite effect. Sikhs will continue to fearlessly advocate for Khalistan and against Indian human rights abuses, as they have the right to do.

“Canada must investigate Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s assassination, and foreign interference, including that of India. Sikhs will fearlessly advocate for Khalistan, and against Indian human rights abuses.”

World Sikh Organisation of Canada

The Sikh struggle for freedom should not be overshadowed by unsubstantiated claims and a misleading narrative. The Sikh community’s aspirations for Khalistan should be understood in the context of their legitimate pursuit of self-determination, an idea that resonates with the principles of human rights and freedom cherished by democratic societies worldwide.

As responsible members of the global community, it is our duty to ensure that the voices of those advocating Sikh freedom are heard and respected. We must reject any attempts to demonize or belittle their peaceful work, which is firmly grounded in the tenets of democracy, justice, and international law. Let us join hands to promote understanding, dialogue, and a genuine appreciation for the Sikh struggle for justice and self-determination, which is the only peaceful route to conflict resolution

“The Sikh struggle upholds the right to self-determination, emphasizing peaceful conflict resolution and global respect for their aspirations.”

The UN Convention on Self-Determination, formally known as the United Nations Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1960. While it primarily addresses decolonization, it also contains principles related to the broader concept of self-determination.

The UN Convention on Self-Determination reaffirms the principle that the will of the people is the foundation of the legitimacy of any political authority and underscores the importance of respecting the rights of individuals and communities to determine their own destiny.