Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, chief of the Khalistani terrorist organization Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), was reportedly present at Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration ceremony in the United States. Videos of his presence have surfaced, showing him moving cautiously in the crowd, in stark contrast to his usual aggressive rhetoric promoting Khalistan. Two videos have emerged. In one, Pannu is seen roaming Capitol Hill like a regular attendee, with a Khalistan symbol pinned to his coat. A companion filmed him during this time. In another video, he appears near the stage where Trump stood with his wife, Melania. Amid chants of “USA-USA” by the attendees, Pannu briefly raises two slogans of “Khalistan Zindabad” but stops immediately, seemingly wary of drawing attention.
Pannu claims he was invited to the inauguration by Trump’s team. However, international media reports suggest that he purchased a ticket to the event. His restrained behavior indicates he was cautious about avoiding unnecessary attention. Notably, no other Khalistan supporter was seen with him at the event.
Khalistan Referendum and SFJ Activities
Recently, Pannu has been spearheading a campaign for a Khalistan referendum in India. Through a social media account named “SFJ Team,” he shared a QR code to facilitate voting for Khalistan as a separate nation. The organization also provided a registration process on its website, allowing Sikhs and individuals from other religions to vote. However, the Indian government promptly banned the account within 10 hours of its posts. Despite the ban, the QR code and related posts went viral on social media. No specific date for the voting was mentioned in the campaign.
SFJ’s Ban and Pannu’s Background
Originally from Khankot in Punjab, Gurpatwant Singh Pannu currently resides in the US and holds dual citizenship of the US and Canada. He runs SFJ, which was declared an unlawful association under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) by the Indian government on July 10, 2019. The organization was accused of using the guise of a Sikh referendum to support separatist and extremist ideologies in Punjab. On July 1, 2020, Pannu was declared a terrorist under the UAPA. The Indian government also banned over 40 web pages and YouTube channels linked to SFJ in 2020.
Pannu faces 15 cases in India, including three sedition charges in Punjab. Active on social media, he frequently releases videos and audio messages in Punjabi, inciting anti-India sentiments and encouraging youth to rebel against the Indian government. Reports also claim that he has bribed individuals to hoist Khalistani flags on government buildings in Punjab and Haryana.
Accusation of Plotting Pannu’s Assassination
On June 30, 2023, Czech Republic police arrested Indian citizen Nikhil Gupta for allegedly plotting Pannu’s assassination. Gupta was extradited to the US on June 14, 2024, where he claimed innocence during his trial. According to the FBI, the assassination plot was allegedly planned during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2023 visit to the US. Reports suggest that a former Indian official, Vikas Yadav, had asked Gupta to execute the plan. This incident highlights Pannu’s controversial presence in international politics and his ongoing campaign against the Indian state.
