US Senators, Congressmen, Congresswomen and US Sikh activists are deeply concerned and asking, “Who’s next on the list? The recent US indictment has brought to light a grave concern long held by the Sikh community: the targeted campaign against Sikh activists by Indian authorities. This revelation, underscored by the assassination of prominent Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar and the attempted assassination of an American citizen, the killing of a Sikh militant Paramjit Singh Panjwar, the suspicions of the sudden passing away of Sikh pro-freedom activist Avtar Singh Khanda in the UK, has validated the fears and accusations of the Sikh diaspora regarding India’s transnational operations against them.  WSN editor Jagmohan Singh presents an update on Sikh concerns worldwide.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s murder in June outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia was a shocking incident that deeply resonated within the Sikh community. For years, Sikh leaders and organizations have been vocal about human rights violations by the Indian state, often facing severe backlash and accusations of anti-national activities.

The indictment, detailing the involvement of Indian agents in Nijjar’s assassination and another planned attack in New York City, underscores a pattern of aggressive actions by Indian intelligence against Sikh activists abroad.

US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has reacted sharply to the recent indictment. On Platform X, she remarked, “This is deeply concerning and part of a pattern of extrajudicial killings and assassinations by the Indian government. We must seek full accountability for the Indian government—a government with a troubling record of human rights abuses.”

Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon has made a categoric statement as can be seen from her tweet.

Political violence has no place in our country.

As co-chair of the American Sikh Congressional Caucus, I'm proud to stand with our Sikh community against transnational repression. https://t.co/naPVd9fIFJ

— Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (@RepMGS) November 29, 2023

Kanwar Pal Singh, leader of Dal Khalsa had then categorically stated that “Dal Khalsa has no doubt whatsoever that India’s RAW is behind the killings of Sikh activists in Pakistan and Canada. Even the death of Sikh activist Khanda in the UK is under a cloud.”

Member of Parliament Simranjit Singh Mann had also categorically stated that “What Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said is a vindication of our stand over the last decades. It is time for the world community to act without any further delay.”

The Sikh community’s reaction to these developments is a mix of vindication and renewed apprehension. The long-held belief that Indian authorities are engaging in what they term transnational terrorism, often collaborating with local criminals to target Sikh activists, seems to be gaining traction with this new evidence. The assassination of Nijjar and the planned attack in New York City are not isolated incidents but part of a coordinated effort to silence Sikh dissent internationally.

Sikh Americans are fearful of apprehensions. Many are reacting individually and are lobbying with their representatives.

India’s American death squad indictment. America’s Sikhs want answers: who else at risk, & what is US government doing about assassination attempts on US citizens? Indian-American Dems in Congress strangely silent. @RoKhanna? @RepBera?@ShriThanedar @CongressmanRaja? @RepJayapal? https://t.co/LdWjV34kOl

— Harmeet K. Dhillon (@pnjaban) November 29, 2023

The lack of immediate arrests in Nijjar’s case had left the community seeking justice, which they now hope will be served with the arrest and extradition of Nikhil Gupta, the Indian national allegedly involved in these plots. Gupta’s trial is anticipated to reveal more details about the operations against Sikh activists and possibly shed light on the broader strategy of the Indian government.

Sikh activists have long faced challenges when accusing the Indian government of human rights violations. Often, these accusations are met with severe criticism, labeling the activists as anti-national or pro-separatist. This has created an environment where the Sikh community feels their concerns and grievances are not only disregarded but also criminalized.

The international community’s response to these developments is of significant interest to the Sikh diaspora. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s initial stand in Canada’s parliament, accusing India of extraterritorial assassination, was met with skepticism and isolation. However, with the emergence of this indictment, there is hope that the international perspective might shift, offering support and recognition to the Sikh community’s long-standing concerns.

50k+ Sikhs live in NYC.
How do they know who’s who? Threat of violence has become very real in America.
Western leaders started calling India out for targeting people even for peaceful expression.
You can’t be killing people for their views in democracies.https://t.co/aNWRbMT7uu

— Harinder Singh | ਹਰਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ (@1Force) November 30, 2023

The Sikh community views these recent developments as a critical juncture. They are a validation of their fears and a call for the international community to acknowledge and address the aggressive tactics employed by the Indian government against Sikh activists abroad. The hope is that these revelations will lead to greater understanding and support for the Sikh community’s struggle for justice and human rights.