| 2023 Sikh protests | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Khalistan movement | |||
| Date | March 2023 | ||
| Location |  Australia Canada India New Zealand United Kingdom United States | ||
| Caused by | Manhunt of Amritpal Singh by the Indian authorities | ||
| Methods | Demonstrations, blockades and rallies | ||
| Parties | |||
| |||
In March 2023, pro-Khalistan Sikhs protested across the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Punjab, India, against the manhunt of the pro-Khalistan separatist Amritpal Singh and crackdown on his organisation Waris Punjab De, carried out by the Indian authorities. In the United States Sikh activists demonstrated in cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento and New York City.
Background
Main article: Amritpal Singh manhuntOn 18 March 2023, Indian authorities launched a manhunt for Amritpal Singh after he was accused by police of attempted murder, obstruction of law enforcement and creating "disharmony" in society.
During the manhunt, Indian authorities deployed thousands of paramilitary police and restricted mobile Internet and mobile messaging services for nearly 30 million people across the Punjab state. Indian authorities also arrested more than 200 people while conducting a massive manhunt. Meanwhile, Singh was nowhere to be found.
After more than a month, on 23 April 2023, Singh was arrested from Rode village in Moga district, Punjab. Later, he was taken to the high-security Dibrugarh jail in Assam state.
Events
On 15 March 2023, the Honorary Consulate of India located in Brisbane, Australia, was forced to temporarily shut down after Khalistan supporters blockaded the entry.
On 19 March 2023, Singh's supporters pulled down the Indian flag and waved the Khalistan flag instead at the India House, London. They also broke a window. In reaction India summoned Britain's most senior diplomat and removed barracides outside of the British High Commission in New Delhi. Two security guards suffered minor injury and a protester was later arrested in connection to the incident.
In Mohali, Punjab and Sohana Chowk hundreds of protesters under the Kaumi Insaaf Morcha blocked important roads to the airport. Heavy police deployment occurred with multiple high ranking officers arriving to the site. Some left after leaders requested the protest end but many stayed. The protest led to delays in traffic. Some protesters created stone and brick walls which blocked service lanes and slip roads bring the traffic to a full halt. Nihangs were there on horses brandishing weapons. All traffic coming from Chandigarh had been diverted as police barracatied all four doors leading to Sohana Chowk. After three days of the roads being blocked on 22 March police cleared the protesters arresting 25 people. Police also seized weapons including swords, farm tools, and spears. The Superintendent of Police (SP), Navreet Singh Varak was injured along with four other officers.
On 20 March 2023, the supporters of the Khalistan movement also vandalized the Indian Consulate in San Francisco with a graffiti reading '#FreeAmritpal'. In Surrey a protest was held at the Taj Park Convention Centre where the Indian High Commissioner was to be welcomed. Sameer Kaushal a journalist and new director was assaulted. In Vancouver, a small group of UBC students protested outside Walter C. Koerner Library. The protesters later joined a bigger rally outside of the Vancouver Art Gallery.
On 25 March 2023, about 500 people rallied to protest crackdowns targeting Sikhs in Punjab, India at the Consulate General of India in Vancouver, Canada. Moninder Singh a spokesman for the British Columbia Gurdwara Council said, “We're here to show our dissent, our displeasure against the Indian state for this suspension of civil liberties and violation of human rights". A small group held a protest on the same day outside the North Peace Cultural Centre in Fort St. John to, “raise awareness against ongoing human rights violations in Punjab.”
On 26 March 2023, a protest was held outside the Indian embassy in Washington, D.C. The Press Trust of India's Washington D.C-based Chief, Lalit K. Jha, was hit by protesters. He described the assault saying, "The gentleman… hit my left ear with these two sticks and earlier I had to call 911 and rushed police van safety fearing a public assault."
On 27 March 2023, the Akal Takht held a gathering with over 50 Sikh organisations. After they gave an ultimatum to the Punjab Government which was to release all Sikhs arrested in the past 10 days within 24 hours. The Akal Takht further announced it would launch its own Vaheer if the demand is not met. The Akal Takht also announced it would give financial assistance to the families of those who have been charged under the NSA act. Along with this protests were held outside the Akal Takht and Golden Temple.
On 27 March 2023, a protest was held in Toronto outside the Indian consulate where an Indian flag was burned. Another protest was held in Times Square, New York City. Protesters held a car rally. The protesters had an LED billboard truck showing Amritpal Singh. They also had purchased billboards in Times Square which showed Amritpal Singh along with Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
Reaction
In March 2023, Canada's High Commissioner was summoned by India to "convey strong concern" over Sikh protesters in Canada.
In September 2023, on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed concerns about the protests in Canada to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
References
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