Defense Minister Rajnath Singh raised the issue of anti-India activities on American soil by the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) during a meeting with US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Monday, news agencies reported citing sources.
First we will know what is SFJ and why it is banned?
Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) is a US-based Khalistani organization agitating for the creation of a separate state called "Khalistan" from the Punjab region of India.
India has recently urged the US to take strict action against the Khalistani extremist outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), as the group is conspiring against India.
According to news agency sources, India has requested the US administration to take strict action against the illegal activities of SFJ.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said this after the meeting. He said "I met US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and discussed various important issues including defense and information sharing. This will deepen India-US partnership."
Gurpatwant Singh Pannu founded the organization in 2007, which mainly engages in separatist activities through legal battles, lobbying and holding referendums.
In 2019, the Government of India declared SFJ an illegal organization and banned it under the UAPA (Prevention of Unlawful Activities Act).
SFJ has several anti-India activities. Notable among them-
Efforts to revive the Khalistan Movement:
In the 1980s there was a pro-Khalistani armed insurgency in Punjab, which was severely suppressed by the Indian government. SFJ wants to revive the old separatist movement.
Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is providing financial and strategic support to the SFJ, so that they can destabilize India.
SFJ has tried to organize "Khalistan Referendum" in various countries, which is a conspiracy against India's sovereignty.
The organization runs anti-India propaganda on social media and tries to radicalize the youth of Punjab.
Government of India has requested various countries including USA, Canada, UK to take strict action against SFJ.
Not only that, SFJ's website has been blocked in India, and assets of its core members have been confiscated.
