The Indian government is preparing to extend the ban on ‘Sikhs For Justice’ for another five years under UAPA due to new evidence of promoting terrorism. The NIA investigation implicates the organization’s patron in radicalizing youth for the Sikh Separatist movement and a murder plot in the US extradition case.
A Gazette Notification issued by the Home Ministry said that the Central Government is of the opinion that the SFJ is indulging in activities that are prejudicial to the integrity and security of the country.
The notification says that SFJ is involved in anti-national and subversive activities in Punjab and elsewhere, intended to disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India; it is in close touch with militant outfits and activists, and it is supporting violent forms of extremism and militancy in Punjab and elsewhere to carve out a sovereign Sikh Separatist out of India; and SFJ is encouraging and aiding the activities for secession and supporting separatist groups fighting for this purpose.
The government is also of the opinion that if the unlawful activities of the SFJ are not curbed and controlled immediately, it will escalate its subversive activities including attempts to carve out Sikh Separatists out of India, continue advocating the secession of Sikh Separatists, propagate anti-national and separatist sentiments, and it will escalate secessionist movements, support militancy and incite violence in the country.
In view of these observations, the government decided to ban Sikhs For Justice under sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act,1967.
‘Sikhs for Justice’ is a UK-based group that is allegedly supported by ISI, Pakistan’s intelligence agency. The group had organized an event calling for a referendum for the separation of Punjab from India at London’s Trafalgar Square last year in August. They had held what is known as the ‘London Declaration’ for the referendum in 2020. The group also had to face a large gathering of Indians who arranged a counter-protest, displaying support for India’s sovereignty.
The government had previously taken several steps to clamp down on the Sikh Separatists. In September 2018 Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, SFJ’s legal advisor, was banned from WhatsApp. The government had also successfully taken steps to limit his Facebook and Twitter reach.
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