Gurpatwant Singh Pannun: The US-based lawyer and the head of the Khalistani group SFJ (Sikhs for Justice) which promotes the idea of a separate Sikh state is posing a serial threat to the Hindu nationals living in Canada.
Recently, a video surfaced on the internet where he threatened the Hindu nationals living in the US and Canada to leave the country.
After the killings of his close associates, Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Paramjit Singh Panjwar - and the suspicious death of another terrorist, Avatar Singh Khanda, in the UK, he is expected to be hiding and has officially not shared any views or reactions.
Following the rift between India and Canada, The National Investigation Agency(NIA) seized his property in Chandigarh and Amritsar. The Action was taken under the Unlawful Activities(Prevention) Act(UAPA).
Born in the Khanot village, located on the outskirts of Amritsar. His father Mohinder Singh, formerly worked for the Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board, while his mother’s name is Amarjit Kaur, a homemaker. Pannun also has a brother named Magwant Singh Pannun.
A law graduate from Panjab University, he fled to the US in 2007 where he founded the now-banned SFJ, and prompted his idea of a separate state for Sikhs, establishing himself as a law attorney abroad.
He is well-known for his provocative speeches and controversial videos regarding India and his Khalistani ideals. His activities have attracted legal consequences and he was declared the “designated individual terrorist” by the government of India on July 1, 2020.
A few days after the shootouts of his close aides, he was supposed to have been killed in a car accident. However, Sukhi Chahal, founder, CEO, and editor-in-chief of The Khalsa Today, confirmed Pannun's well-being and urged everyone to refrain from spreading misinformation.
Pannun enabled the SJF to move the US courts seeking to persecute Kamal Nath, Sonia Gandhi, and other Indian leaders allegedly linked to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The court had then dismissed the case on the ground saying that it does not “touch and concern” the US.
He had also filed a case against then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, accusing him of “funding crimes against humanity perpetrated upon the Sikh community in India.” Not only Manmohan Singh but in 2016 the then Chief Minister of Punjab Amarinder Singh also had to cancel his visit to Canada following a case filed by the SFJ.
Days before the Cricket World Cup in India, The ICC world cup matches in Delhi and Ahmedabad are the targets of Khalistani supporters, Sikh For Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, mentioned in his recent video. The security agencies in India remain on high-alert after this video surfaced on the internet.