In a worrisome development, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the founder of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and a designated individual terrorist, has once again directed threats towards India, particularly ahead of the 75th Republic Day celebrations. Pannun, known for his involvement in anti-India activities, has a history of making provocative statements and has actively used social media platforms to propagate his extremist views.
In a recent video message, Pannun targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, daring him to attend the Republic Day function on January 26 without any security. The explicit threat included a provocative statement: “I dare Modi, you come to Delhi without your security. If you are a popular leader, come to Delhi on R-Day without security, and SFJ is going to avenge the assassination of Shaheed Nijjar by raising the Khalistan flag.”
This threat has escalated security concerns, especially considering Pannun’s past involvement in anti-India activities. The Indian government designated him as a ‘designated individual terrorist’ in 2020, placing him under increased scrutiny.
Pannun’s history includes not only threats against political figures but also active encouragement for gangsters and youth to support the Khalistan cause. In the recent message, he went further by calling on gangsters to carry out an assault against Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Punjab’s Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav on Republic Day.
The situation is further complicated by reports of pro-Khalistani graffiti appearing across New Delhi, threatening to ‘avenge’ the death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar was killed in Canada in June 2023. The appearance of such graffiti adds to the atmosphere of tension and raises concerns about potential disruptive activities during the Republic Day celebrations.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and his organization, SFJ, were banned by the Indian government in 2019 due to their involvement in “anti-national and subversive” activities. Since the ban, Pannun has remained on the radar of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), with non-bailable warrants issued against him. In 2022, he was declared a ‘Proclaimed Offender (PO),’ highlighting the severity of the charges against him.
The fresh threats from Pannun ahead of Republic Day underscore the ongoing challenges posed by radical elements seeking to destabilize India. The need for heightened security measures during national events and the protection of public figures is evident. The Indian authorities are expected to remain vigilant, taking necessary precautions to ensure the safety of citizens and dignitaries during the Republic Day celebrations. The situation calls for a coordinated effort to counteract such threats and maintain the security and integrity of the nation.