Who is Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and what is his Oct 29 ultimatum for Hindus in Canada?

Terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, leader of the banned pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has issued threats to Indo-Canadian Hindus, asking them to leave the country and return to India.

This threat follows closely on the heels of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's surprising accusation, where he alleged a "potential link" between Indian government agents and the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey in June.

In a viral video, Pannun can be heard saying, "Indo-Canadian Hindus, you have repudiated your allegiance to Canada and the Canadian Constitution. Your destination is India. Leave Canada, go to India."

Pannun added, "Pro-Khalistan Sikhs have always been loyal to Canada. They have consistently sided with Canada and upheld its laws and Constitution."

ALSO READ: Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar?

Calls for a referendum and previous threats

In the same video, Pannun called on all Canadian Sikhs to convene in Vancouver on October 29 for a referendum to determine if Indian High Commissioner Verma bore responsibility for the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Khalistani groups have previously organised referendums in Canada, a matter that has been a cause of concern for India.

Pannun has also made threats against the Hindu community in Canada in recent months, including a video message in which he threatened to target Hindu temples and businesses if they did not leave Canada by October 29.

Who is Gurpatwant Singh Pannun?

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is a New York-based Sikh secessionist leader who advocates for the creation of Khalistan. He is the legal advisor and spokesperson for Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a banned organisation that seeks to achieve Khalistan through a referendum.

ALSO READ: How Trudeau had to walk a tightrope on Khalistan at Delhi G20 Summit

Pannun was born in Khankot village, Amritsar district, Punjab, India. He studied law at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, and then worked as a lawyer in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. In 2007, he fled India to the United States after being implicated in the assassination of a Hindu leader.

In the United States, Pannun founded SFJ and began campaigning for Khalistan. He has organized several non-binding referendums on Khalistan in the United States, Canada, and other countries. In 2020, the Indian government designated him a terrorist.

ALSO READ: Khalistan posters target Indian diplomats in Canada

Pannun is a controversial figure. His supporters see him as a freedom fighter who is fighting for the rights of the Sikh people. His critics see him as a terrorist trying to destabilise India.

Key details about Gurpatwant Singh Pannun:

• Pannun is designated as a terrorist by the Indian government.
• He serves as the legal advisor and spokesperson for Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a banned organisation advocating for the creation of an independent Sikh state called Khalistan.
• Pannun has organised several non-binding referendums on Khalistan in the United States, Canada, and other countries.
• He faces 22 criminal cases, including three of sedition, in Punjab, India.
• Interpol has rejected India's request to issue a Red Corner Notice on terror charges against him twice.

ALSO READ: Can the current Khalistan sentiment create another 1984-like situation in Punjab?

Recent India-Canada standoff

India-Canada relations are at a critical juncture following Trudeau's allegations of Indian government involvement in Nijjar's killing. India has firmly refuted these allegations as "absurd and motivated." The dispute has led to the reciprocal expulsion of diplomats, advisories for citizens residing in each other's countries, and an ongoing diplomatic standoff.

The controversy began when Trudeau mentioned potential ties between India and Nijjar's murder during a speech in the Canadian House of Commons. The situation remains unresolved, with both nations engaged in discussions and efforts to address the issue.

The diplomatic tensions have escalated significantly, with advisories issued for the safety of citizens residing in India and Canada, underscoring the gravity of the situation.