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| {{POV|date=December 2008}}<!--- Multiple editors on the talk page refer (including the editor who keeps deleting the flag) to PoV problems with the article. There is a section on the talk page to discuss removing this flag. Please leave it in until consensus is reached. ---> | |||
| {{merge|Khalistan movement|date=December 2011}} | |||
| '''Sikh extremism''' refers to ] or acts of ] against ]s, or material support for the acts of violence. | |||
| Some ] have been ]<ref>{{cite web|author=Puneet Singh Lamba |url=http://www.sikhtimes.com/news_061005a.html |title=News and Analysis — Khalistan: Danger Sign |publisher=The Sikh Times |date=2005-06-10 |accessdate=2009-08-20}}</ref> pursuing the formation of a ] state, often referred to as ].<ref name="Terrorthreatbook">{{cite book|last=Hamilton|first=Dwight|coauthors=Kostas Rimsa|title=Terror Threat|publisher=Dundurn Press|page= 26|date=19 November 2007|edition=Hardcover|pages=248 pages|isbn=978-1550027365|url=http://books.google.com/?id=zMgijln_FvMC&pg=PA26&dq=%22sikh+extremism%22|accessdate=30 May 2009}}</ref> ]<!--If changed to Sikh Terrorism, please provide Reliable Sources. There is no such term. This term, however, does exist, and is linked--> has been used in the ].<ref name="CDI">{{cite web|url=http://www.cdi.org/program/issue/document.cfm?DocumentID=2224&IssueID=138&StartRow=1&ListRows=10&appendURL=&Orderby=DateLastUpdated&ProgramID=39&issueID=138|title=Explaining Religious Terrorism Part 1: The Axis of Good and Evil|last=Burgess|first=Mark|date=20 May 2004|publisher=Center for Defense Information|accessdate=2009-05-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews=34319|title=India's Sikh Militants Forming Ties with Lashkar-e-Taiba and Pakistani Intelligence|publisher=Terrorism Monitor Volume: 7 Issue: 1}}</ref> | |||
| It has been suggested that addressing ] requires both ] and ] action.<ref name="multipleproblem">{{cite journal|year=1987|title=Page 52|journal=ICSSR journal of abstracts and reviews|publisher=Indian Council of Social Science Research|volume=14|url=http://books.google.com/?id=7vk7AAAAIAAJ&dq=ICSSR+journal+of+abstracts+and+reviews++By+Indian+Council+of+Social+Science+Research+extremism&q=tackled+on+both|accessdate=30 May 2009}}</ref> | |||
| == British India == | |||
| ===Namdhari=== | |||
| The British Indian records list the extremist activities of the ] (or Namdhari) Sikhs during the 1870s. While they were occasionally hailed as ]s, their activities included attacks on Muslims on the ] issue, resulting in killings of some Muslim butchers in ] and ] in 1871.<ref name="autogenerated275">The Asiatic review, Volume 15 By East India Association (London, England) page 275 .. the Kuka, an extremist Sikh sect, not being found north or west of the ...</ref><ref name="SangeetaRay_261"/> | |||
| === Babbar Akali movement === | |||
| {{main|Babbar Akali movement}} | |||
| In the early 1920s, a group of Sikh leaders launched the ] to bring reform in the ]s (the ] places of worship) in India. The objective of the movement was to seize the control of the Sikh gurdwaras from the ] '']''s (clergymen) or managers appointed by the Governors.<ref name="HSSingha2000">{{cite book | author = H. S Singha|title=The encyclopedia of Sikhism|year=2000|publisher=Hemkunt Press|isbn=978-81-7010-301-1|page=13}}</ref> ] (SGPC), an elected Sikh body formed for management of gurdwaras, resorted to peaceful agitations. However, a section of Sikhs rejected the peaceful methods adopted by SGPC and recommended use of violence to seize control of the gurdwaras.<ref name="Panjab1978">{{cite book |title=The Panjab past and present | year=1978|publisher=Dept. of Punjab Historical Studies, Punjabi University | isbn = 1761838 | page = 367 | quote = The Sikh extremists never accepted the cult of non-violence adopted by the SGPC. As early as September 1920, the exteremists had formed the ''Shahidi Dal'' (Association of the Martyrs)... }}</ref> In September 1920, they formed ''Shahidi Dal'' (Association of the Martyrs), later evolving into the ] | |||
| By 1922, the Babbar Akalis organized themselves into a military group and began killing informers, government officials, and ex-officials.<ref name="Mukherjee2004">{{cite book|last=Mukherjee|first=Mridula|title=Peasants in India's non-violent revolution: practice and theory|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=y2AON_2SJI0C&pg=PA35|accessdate=17 December 2011|date=2004-09-22|publisher=SAGE|isbn=9780761996866|pages=35–36}}</ref> They also published an illegal newspaper describing British exploitation of India, and were outlawed in April 1923.<ref name="Singha2000">{{cite book|last=Singha|first=H. S|title=The encyclopedia of Sikhism (over 1000 entries)|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=gqIbJz7vMn0C&pg=PA26|accessdate=17 December 2011|year=2000|publisher=Hemkunt Press|isbn=9788170103011|pages=26–}}</ref> They used religious imagery and discussed the loss of Sikh sovereignty in the ] which helped them enjoy popular support. The Babbar Akali movement recruited from ] veterans dissatisfied with broken land grant promises and former members of the ].<ref name="Mukherjee2004"/> Many of its members were killed in ]s, 67 were taken alive and "5 were sentenced to death, 11 to transportation for life and 38 to various terms of imprisonment".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.congress.org.in/new/india-struggle-for-freedom.php|title=India's Struggle for Freedom : Role of Associated Movements|publisher=All India Congress Committee - AICC|accessdate=23 March 2011}}</ref> ] was established in an attempt to emulate the Babbar Akalis. | |||
| == Beginning of the Khalistan movement == | |||
| {{main|Khalistan movement}} | |||
| The demands for a separate Sikh state were made during the ],<ref name="Mackenzie">{{cite web|url=http://www.mackenzieinstitute.com/2003/other_peoples_wars2.htm#sikh|title=Other people's wars: A Review of Overseas Terrorism in Canada|publisher=The Mackenzie Institute|accessdate=2009-05-30|quote=For a brief period, between 1799 and 1849, Sikhs were able to fend off aggressors and maintain a state of their own.}}</ref> as well as soon after ].<ref name="RNWSikhExt">{{cite news|url=http://www.radionetherlands.nl/currentaffairs/region/asiapacific/080306-india-sikh-extremism|title=India PM warns against renewed Sikh extremism|last=Thorne|first=Barry|date=06-03-2008|publisher=Radio Netherlands Worldwide|accessdate=2009-05-30}}</ref> | |||
| By the 1970s, some felt the government of India had not responded adequately to Sikh grievances.<ref name="nytenvoy" /> | |||
| Later, a demand for a separate Sikh homeland called ] was made by ], who at the time was ] of the ] ]. | |||
| In 1971, Jagjit Singh was expelled from the party for his "]" activities. | |||
| <ref name="Dictionary of terrorism">{{cite book|last=Thackrah|first=John|title=Dictionary of Terrorism|publisher=Routledge|pages= 242–243|date=19 December 2003|edition=2nd|page=336|isbn=978-0415298216|url=http://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Terrorism-John-R-Thackrah/dp/0415298210#reader|accessdate=30 May 2009}}</ref> He later returned to India, denouncing terrorism and pursuing Khalistan through democratic means.<ref name="KhalistanBy2007">{{cite news|url=http://www.sikhtimes.com/bios_060604b.html|title=Jagjit Singh Chauhan: "Khalistan Will Be Formed by 2007" |last=TAYAL |first=M.K.|date=6 June 2004 |publisher=The Sikh Times|accessdate=2009-06-08}}</ref> | |||
| However, a section of Khalistan activists took up arms and resorted to militancy and terrorism.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main33.asp?filename=Ne040807operation_silence.asp |title=Free. Fair. Fearless |publisher=Tehelka |date= |accessdate=2009-08-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/airindia/victims.html |title=CBC News In Depth: Air India — Bombing of Air India Flight 182 |publisher=Cbc.ca |date= |accessdate=2009-08-25}}</ref><ref>Students' Britannica India, Volumes 1-5 By Dale Hoiberg, Indu Ramchandani</ref> or organisations<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/541152/Shiromani-Akali-Dal |title=Shiromani Akali Dal (Sikh political party, India) - Britannica Online Encyclopedia |publisher=Britannica.com |date= |accessdate=2009-08-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/sikh-politics-canada/ |title=CBC News In Depth: Sikh politics in Canada |publisher=Cbc.ca |date=2007-06-28 |accessdate=2009-08-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=By STEVEN R. WEISMAN, Special to the New York Times |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/05/world/sikh-violence-in-punjab-a-threat-to-indian-unity.html |title=Sikh Violence in Punjab A Threat to Indian Unity — The New York Times |publisher=Nytimes.com |date=1987-10-05 |accessdate=2009-08-20}}</ref> In 1984, some of these armed secessionists took shelter in the ] (Golden Teple), the holiest shrine of the Sikhs, in Amritsar. The ] government ordered the Sikh general ] to attack the militants as part of ]. Many Sikhs saw this as an attack on their holiest shrine and their religion, leading to a surge in the extremism. In October 1984, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was ] by her Sikh bodyguards in retaliation. A number of innocent Sikhs were massacred in the subsequent ], leading to further discontent. | |||
| == Punjab insurgency == | |||
| {{main|Punjab insurgency}} | |||
| Immediately after ], authorities were unprepared for how quickly extremism spread and gained support in ], with extremists "...threatening to kill thousand of Hindus by a number of means, including blowing up Air India flights."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=86965 |title=Sikh extremism spread fast in Canada |date=23 May 2007 |publisher=expressindia.com |accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref> | |||
| <ref>{{cite news|url=http://ia.rediff.com/news/2007/may/23ai1.htm |title=Sikh extremism in Canada mushroomed very quickly |date=23 May 2007|publisher=rediff.com |accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref> | |||
| The 1985 bombing of ] off ], the deadliest aircraft terror attack until the ], and the attempted bombing of ], were alleged by the Canadian government to have been carried out by Sikh extremists. However, ], of the ISYF, who was found guilty of manslaughter for making the bombs, is the only individual convicted in these attacks as of 2 May 2010. | |||
| <ref name="ISYFlink" /> | |||
| <ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=9bfcf081-3b29-45ea-8bb3-ad82c051bcbb |title=Air India bombmaker sent to holding centre|last=Bolan|first=Kim |date=9 February 2008 |publisher=Ottawa Citizen |accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref> | |||
| <ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2008/07/09/bc-air-india-reyat-bail.html |title=Convicted Air India bomb-builder Inderjit Singh Reyat gets bail |first=staff |date=9 July 2008 |publisher=CBC News |accessdate=2009-06-10}}</ref> | |||
| Canadian ] ], a moderate Sikh, stated that he and others who spoke out against Sikh extremism in the 1980s faced a "reign of terror".<ref name="THESTAR">{{cite news |url=http://www.thestar.com/article/278833 |title='The reign of terror is still there' |last=Brown |first=Jim |date=22 November 2007<!-- 04:30 AM--> |place=Toronto |publisher='']'' |accessdate=2008-11-14}}</ref> | |||
| The Khalistan-related militant activities continued in the 1990s, as the perpetrators of the 1984 riots remained unpunished, and many Sikhs felt that they were being discriminated and their religious rights were being supressed.<ref name="nytenvoy">{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/10/world/envoy-of-romania-abducted-in-india.html?scp=1&sq=envoy+of+romania+abducted&st=nyt|title=ENVOY OF ROMANIA ABDUCTED IN INDIA|last=GARGAN|first=EDWARD|date=10 October 1991|publisher=The New York Times|accessdate=2009-07-29|quote=India has failed to give Punjab state equal treatment in national investment, although the state has India's highest per capita income. Many of them also maintain that Sikh religious rights have been neglected or repressed.}}</ref><ref name="globalsecurity.org" /> | |||
| ] reported that, in the early 1990s, journalists who did not conform to militant-approved behavior were targeted for death. It also reports that there were indiscriminate attacks designed to cause extensive civilian casualties: derailing trains, exploding bombs in markets, restaurants, and other civilian areas between Delhi and Punjab. It further reported that militants assassinated many of those moderate Sikh leaders who opposed them and sometimes killed rivals within the militant group. It also stated that many civilians who had been kidnapped by extremists were murdered if the militants' demands were not met. Finally, it reports that Hindus left Punjab by the thousands. <ref name="globalsecurity.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/punjab.htm|title=Military:Sikhs in Punjab|first=no author specified|date=no date given|publisher=globalsecurity.org|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref> | |||
| In August 1991, ], then ]n ] to ]<ref name="BODBIO">{{cite web|url=http://www.glenmarkpharma.com/about/bod.html|title=Board of Directors|first=unnamed|date=undated|publisher=] Limited|accessdate=2009-05-31}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> was attacked and wounded in a ] assassination attempt by gunmen<ref name=Latshot>{{cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/keyword/india-foreign-relations-romania|title=World IN BRIEF — ROMANIA — Gunmen Wound India Ambassador|date=21 August 1991 |publisher=]|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref> identified as ]i Sikhs.<ref name=nytenvoy /> Sikh groups claimed responsibility for the 1991 kidnapping of the ]n chargé d'affaires in New Delhi, Liviu Radu. This appeared to be retaliation for Romanian arrests of KLF members suspected of the attempted assassination of ], then 62, the Indian ambassador to Romania, in ].<ref name="nytenvoy"/><ref name="TIME">, Time magazine, 21 Oct 1991.</ref> Radu was released unharmed after Sikh politicians criticized the action.<ref>, Sikh Sentinel, 17 Sep 2003.</ref> | |||
| In October, 1991, The New York Times reported that violence had increased sharply in the months leading up to the kidnapping, with Indian security forces or Sikh militants killing 20 or more people per day, and that the militants had been "gunning down" family members of police officers.<ref name="nytenvoy"/> | |||
| On 24 January 1995,<ref name=sikhtimesBK>{{cite news|url=http://www.sikhtimes.com/news_121403a.html|title=Testimony: Babbar Khalsa Ordered Tara Singh Hayer Slaying |first=Staff|date=Dec. 14, 2003|publisher=CanWest News Service|accessdate=2009-06-07}}</ref> Tarsem Singh Purewal, editor of Britain's Punjabi-language weekly "Des Pardes", was killed as he was closing his office in ]. There is speculation that the murder was related to Sikh extremism, which Purewal may have been investigating. Another theory is that he was killed in retaliation for revealing the identity of a young rape victim. <ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/748866.stm|title=Call for end to Sikh murder mystery|last=Summers|first=Chris|date=2 June 2000|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4354435.stm|title=Call for police to solve Sikh murder|last=Summers|first=Chris|date=17 March 2005|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref> | |||
| On 31 August 1995, Chief minister ] was killed by a suicide bomber. The pro-Khalistan group ] claimed responsibility for the assassination, but "security authorities" were reported to be doubtful of the truth of that claim.<ref name="babarkilledsingh">{{cite web|url=http://www2.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/research/ndp/ref/index_e.htm?docid=173&cid=0&sec=CH03|title=Issue Paper INDIA SIKHS IN PUNJAB 1994-95 |date=February 1996|publisher=Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref> A 2006 press release by the Embassy of the United States in New Delhi indicated that the responsible organization was the ].<ref name="KCFconvict" /> | |||
| On 18 November 1998, Journalist ], was gunned down. The publisher of the "Indo-Canadian Times," a Canadian Sikh and once-vocal advocate of the armed struggle for ], he had criticized the bombing of Air India flight 182, and was to testify about a conversation he overheard concerning the bombing. Because of his murder, his 15 October 1998, statement to police was not admissible at the trial of Ajaib Singh Bagri.<ref name=sikhtimesBK /><ref>{{cite news|url=http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/11/17/a-true-sikh-martyr-jonathan-kay-on-the-10th-anniversary-of-the-assassination-of-tara-singh-hayer.aspx|title=A true Sikh martyr: Jonathan Kay on the 10th anniversary of the assassination of Tara Singh Hayer|last=Kay|first=Jonathan|date=17 November 2008|publisher=The National Post|accessdate=2009-06-07}}</ref><ref name=lofbook>{{cite book|last=Bolan|first=Kim|title=Loss of Faith: How the Air-India Bombers Got Away With Murder|publisher=McClelland & Stewart|date=1 August 2006|edition=Paperback|page=388|chapter=6,7|isbn=978-0771011313}}</ref><ref name="cbcca-extremism"/> | |||
| Although extremist violence had continued throughout the decade, the ] found that Sikh extremism had decreased significantly from 1992 to 1997, although the 1997 report noted that "Sikh militant cells are active internationally and extremists gather funds from overseas Sikh communities."<ref name="uspatterns">{{cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/www/global/terrorism/1997Report/backg.html|title=Patterns of Global Terrorism: 1997 - appendix B|year=1997|publisher=U. S. Department of State|accessdate=2009-05-25}}</ref> | |||
| ==Abatement of extremism== | |||
| In 1999, ], writing for ], stated in his article "It is fundamentalism again", that the Sikh "masses" had rejected terrorists.<ref name="rediffeject">{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/1999/feb/22nayar.htm|title=It is fundamentalism again|last=Nayar|first=Kuldip|date=22 February 1999|publisher=Rediff.com|accessdate=2009-05-26}}</ref> | |||
| By 2001, Sikh extremism and the demand for Khalistan had all but abated.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Jodhka |first= Surinder S. |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=2001 |month=April. 21-27 |title=Looking Back at the Khalistan Movement: Some Recent Researches on Its Rise and Decline |journal=Economic and Political Weekly |volume=36 |issue=16 |pages= 1311–1318 |id= |url= |quote=''Not only has the once powerful Khalistan movement virtually disappeared, even the appeal of identity seems to have considerably declined during the last couple of years'' }}</ref> | |||
| Simrat Dhillon, writing in 2007 for the ], noted that while a few groups continued to fight, "the movement has lost its popular support both in India and within the Diaspora community".<ref name="SikhDiaspora">{{cite web|url=http://www.ipcs.org/pdf_file/issue/1787132181IPCS-ResearchPaper12-SimratDhillon.pdf|title=The Sikh Diaspora and the Quest for Khalistan: A Search for Statehood or for Self-preservation?|last=Dhillon|first=Simrat|date=December 2007|publisher=Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies|accessdate=2009-05-26}}</ref> | |||
| ], Director, Orfalea Centre for Global & International Studies, UCSB, reported in his paper "From Bhindranwale to Bin Laden: Understanding Religious Violence", “The movement is over,” as many militants had been killed, imprisoned, or driven into hiding, and because public support was gone.<ref name="dubiousreference1">{{cite web|url=http://juergensmeyer.com/files/ASU%20volume-%2006CHAP02_JUERGENSMEYER.pdf|title=From Bhindranwale to Bin Laden: Understanding Religious Violence|last=Juergensmeyer|first=Mark|date=2004 or later — not given|publisher=Self|page=30|accessdate=2009-05-26}}</ref> | |||
| == Outside India == | |||
| ] reported in a 2006 documentary for the CBC <ref name="cbcca-extremism" /> that a minority within Canada's Sikh community was gaining political influence even while publicly supporting terrorist acts in the struggle for an independent Sikh state. In response, the ] (WSO), a Canadian Sikh human rights group that opposes violence and extremism,<ref name="WSO website">{{cite|url=http://www.worldsikh.ca}}</ref> sued the CBC for "defamation, slander and libel", alleging that Milewski linked it to terrorism and damaged the reputation of the WSO within the Sikh community.<ref name="WSOsuesCBC">{{cite news|url=http://www.thestar.com/News/article/234761|title=Sikh organization sues CBC|last=Grewal |first=San|publisher=Toronto Star|accessdate=2009-05-19 | date=2007-07-11}}</ref> | |||
| Canadian journalist ] has written extensively on Sikh extremism. Speaking at the ] in 2007, she reported that she still received death threats over her coverage of the 1985 Air India bombing.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/World/Rest_of_World/Canadian_journalist_hits_out_at_Sikh_extremism/articleshow/2164926.cms|title=Canadian journalist hits out at Sikh extremism|date=1 July 2007|publisher=The Times of India|accessdate=2009-05-30}}</ref> | |||
| In February 2008, ] reported that the Chief of the Punjab Police, NPS Aulakh, alleged that militant groups were receiving money from the British Sikh community.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/file_on_4/7263211.stm|title=Sikh separatists 'funded from UK'|date=4 March 2008|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref> The same report included statements that although the Sikh militant groups were poorly equipped and staffed, intelligence reports and interrogations indicated that Babbar Khalsa was sending its recruits to the same ]s in ] used by ].<ref name="2008FebFileon4">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/26_02_08_fo4_sikh.pdf|title=TRANSCRIPT OF "FILE ON 4"- 'SIKH GROUPS'|last=Bassey|first=Amardeep|date=26 February 2008|publisher=BBC News|page=20|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref> | |||
| A June 2008 article by Vicky Nanjappa, writing for Rediff.com, stated that a report by India's ] indicated that Pakistan's ] organization was "desperately trying to revive Sikh" militant activity in India.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jun/10vicky.htm|title=200 Pak organisations raise funds for terror: IB|last=Nanjappa|first=Vicky|date=10 June 2008|publisher=Rediff.com|language=Englilsh|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref> | |||
| In 2008, a CBC report stated that "a disturbing brand of extremist politics has surfaced" at some of the ] parades in Canada,<ref name="cbcca-extremism"/> and The Trumpet agreed with the CBC assessment.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thetrumpet.com/?q=3980.2206.0.0|title=Sikh Terrorism Enters Politics in Canada|last=Morley|first=Robert|publisher=The Trumpet|accessdate=2009-05-25}}</ref> Two leading Canadian Sikh politicians refused to attend the parade in ], saying it was a glorification of terrorism.<ref name="cbcca-extremism"/> In 2008, Dr. ], Prime Minister of India, expressed his concern that there might be a resurgence of Sikh extremism.<ref name="RNWSikhExt" /><ref name="KBresurgent">{{cite news|url=http://www2.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=2be0865c-29ba-4dab-9bcc-d945e75007c1|title=Sikh separatist threat on rise in Canada: Indian PM warns of resurgent threat in Canada|last=Bolan|first=Kim|date=11 March 2008|publisher=Vancouver Sun|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref> | |||
| == Major groups == | |||
| A 2007 ]n research report<ref name="RRTresponse" /> cited difficulties in researching both violent and non-violent activities of the various (perhaps 22, in 1987) Sikh separatist groups. Names of groups are used interchangeably in reports, intentionally or through error. Bias and sensationalism in government and media reports reduce their reliability.<ref name="RRTresponse"/> The illegal nature of the organizations also presents challenges.<ref name="RRTresponse">{{cite web|url=http://www.mrt-rrt.gov.au/docs/research/IND/rr/IND32623.pdf|title=Refugee Review Tribunal Australia: RRT RESEARCH RESPONSE|date=27 November 2007|publisher=Refugee Review Tribunal — Australia|accessdate=2009-05-30}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> | |||
| ], on its ], alleged that Pakistan's ISI was making "serious attempts" to reinvigorate terrorism in India, and that "terror groups" were working together to accomplish that goal.<ref name=SATPISYF>{{cite web|url=http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/india/states/punjab/terrorist_outfits/ISYF.htm|title=International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) ] article|first=none given|date=undated|publisher=]|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref> | |||
| ===Babbar Khalsa=== | |||
| ] has been listed as a terrorist organization in the European Union,<ref name="EU list of terrorist groups">{{cite web|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_144/l_14420050608en00540058.pdf|title=COUNCIL COMMON POSITION 2005/427/CFSP of 6 June 2005 updating Common Position 2001/931/CFSP on the application of specific measures to combat terrorism and repealing Common Position 2005/220/CFSP |date=6 June 2005|publisher=European Union|page=5|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref> | |||
| Canada,<ref name="psepc.gc.ca">{{cite web|url=http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/prg/ns/le/cle-en.asp#bkbki13|title=Currently listed entities (terrorist organizations-ed)|publisher=Public Safety Canada|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref> | |||
| India,<ref name="cbcca-extremism" /> and | |||
| UK<ref name="UKBKlisting">{{cite web|url=http://security.homeoffice.gov.uk/legislation/current-legislation/terrorism-act-2000/proscribed-groups|title=Proscribed terrorist groups|publisher=UK Office for Security and Counter Terrorism|accessdate=2009-05-24}}</ref> | |||
| <ref name="cbcca-extremism">{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/sikh-politics-canada/index.html|title=Sikh politics in Canada. Symbols and suits. Sikh extremism enters mainstream Canadian politics|last=Milewski|first=Terry|date=28 June 2007|publisher=CBC|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref>. It was also included in the Terrorist Exclusion List of the United States Government in 2004.<ref>. Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism. December 29, 2004</ref> | |||
| A Canadian Sikh, ], co-founder of Babbar Khalsa, said in a 1984 speech, after Hindu Mobs had murdered thousands of Sikhs in Delhi <ref></ref> that "Until we kill 50,000 Hindus, we will not rest."<ref name="cbcca-extremism"/> | |||
| The United States has designated the Babbar Khalsa responsible for the bombing of ] on 27 June 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/20123.pdf|title=Appendix F: Countering Terrorism on the Economic Front|publisher=US Department of State|page=2|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref> | |||
| According to ], CBC News, Canadian courts have further established that ], a founder of ], was the mastermind of the Air India bombings. | |||
| Milewski further reported that some parade floats portray Parmar as a "shaheed" (martyr).<ref name="cbcca-extremism"/> | |||
| Babbar Khalsa was listed in 1995 one of the 4 "major militant groups" in the Khalistan movement.<ref name="TerrorismInContext" /> | |||
| On 24 September 2009, Centralchronical.com carried a report attributed to ] that police arrested two Babbar Khalsa "militants" earlier in the day. The article described the arrests as a "major breakthrough in the assassination case of Rulda Singh, president of the Punjab Rashtriya Sikh Sangat who was shot at and seriously injured by two unidentified persons at his residence near New Grain market on 29 July."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.centralchronicle.com/viewnews.asp?articleID=15398|title=Punjab Police arrest two Babbar Khalsa terrorists|author=]|date=24 September 2009|publisher=centralchronicle.com|accessdate=2009-10-11}}</ref> | |||
| ===]=== | |||
| Also known variously as Bhindranwala Tigers Force of Khalistan and Bhindranwale Tiger Force, this group appears to have been formed in 1984 by Gurbachan Singh Manochahal. After the founder's death, the BTF (or BTFK) seems to have disbanded or integrated into other organizations.<ref name="fightingbook">{{cite book|last=Mahmood |first=Cynthia Keppley|title=Fighting for Faith and Nation|publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press|page=328|date=1 November 1996|series=Series in Contemporary Ethnography|isbn=978-0812215922|url=http://books.google.com/?id=8QufTc6fAocC|accessdate=30 May 2009}}</ref> | |||
| The BTF was listed in 1995 one of the 4 "major militant groups" in the Khalistan movement.<ref name="TerrorismInContext">{{cite book|title=Terrorism in Context|editor=Martha Crenshaw |publisher=Pennsylvania State University Press|page=656|date=1 January 1995|isbn=978-0271010151|url=http://books.google.com/?id=9nFyZaZGthgC|accessdate=30 May 2009}}</ref> | |||
| ===]=== | |||
| ], then ] minister, stated that ISYF members working from the UK had committed "assassinations, bombings and kidnappings" and were a "threat to national security."<ref name="ISYFlink" /> | |||
| The ISYF is listed in the UK as a "Proscribed Terrorist Group".<ref name="UKBKlisting" /> but it has not been included in the list of terrorist organizations by United States Department of State<ref>http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/other/des/123085.htm</ref>. | |||
| It was also added to the ] terrorism list on 27 June 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.treasury.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/programs/terror/terror.pdf|title=What You Need To Know About U.S. Sanctions|publisher=U.S. Department of Treasury|accessdate=2009-05-24}}</ref>{{deadlink|date=December 2011}}{{Citation needed|date=December 2011}} | |||
| There are allegations that the ISYF has long been supported by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence organization.<ref name=SATPISYF /> | |||
| ], reporting for ], stated that the ] is the "successor" of the ISYF, and that its executive committee, objectives, and senior members... are largely the same.<ref name="ISYFlink">{{cite news|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-mayor/article-23479477-details/Ken%27s+adviser+is+linked+to+terror+group/article.do|title=Ken's adviser is linked to terror group|last=Gilligan|first=Andrew|date=2008-04-21 |publisher=The London Evening Standard|accessdate=2009-05-26}}</ref> | |||
| <ref name="martyrboard">{{cite news|url=http://www.esadvertising.co.uk/media/images/mayor169_5330.pdf|title=Sikh civil servant who backs 'martyr' is now on TfL board|last=Gilligan|first=Andrew|date=21 April 2008|publisher=Evening Standard|accessdate=2009-05-31}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> | |||
| The Vancouver Sun reported in February 2008 that ] was campaigning to have both the Babbar Khalsa and International Sikh Youth Federation de-listed as terrorist organizations.<ref name="delistingeffort">{{cite news|url=http://www2.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=17e39f37-c322-40a7-8b13-e37c29e40881|title=Sikh leader solicits support|last=Bolan|first=Kim|date=18 February 2008|publisher=The Vancouver Sun|accessdate=2009-05-31}}</ref> | |||
| It also stated of Public Safety Minister ] that "he has not been approached by anyone lobbying to delist the banned groups". Day is also quoted as saying "The decision to list organizations such as Babbar Khalsa, Babbar Khalsa International and the International Sikh Youth Federation as terrorist entities under the Criminal Code is intended to protect Canada and Canadians from terrorism"<ref name="delistingeffort"/> | |||
| ===]=== | |||
| The KCF was formed in 1986.<ref name="encycloextreme">{{cite book|last=Atkins|first=Stephen E.|title=Encyclopedia of modern worldwide extremists and extremist groups|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|page=404|year=2004|edition=illustrated|isbn=0313324859, 9780313324857|url=http://books.google.com/?id=b8k4rEPvq_8C&dq=chaheru+labh|accessdate=26 June 2009}}</ref>. It does not figure in the list of terrorist organizations declared by United States Department of State<ref>http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/other/des/123085.htm</ref>. | |||
| According to the US State Department,<ref name="KCFconvict" /> and the Assistant Inspector General of the Punjab Police Intelligence Division,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/p/inl/rls/nrcrpt/2008/vol2/html/101353.htm|title=Law Enforcement Cases: International Narcotics Control Strategy Report: Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs|date=March 2008|publisher=US Department of State|accessdate=2009-06-08}}</ref> the KCF was responsible for the deaths of thousands in India, including the 1995 assassination of ].<ref name="KCFconvict" /> The KCF was listed in 1995 one of the 4 "major militant groups" in the Khalistan movement.<ref name="TerrorismInContext" /> | |||
| ===]=== | |||
| The KLF was formed in 1986, and was believed responsible for several bombings of civilian targets in India during the 1980s and 1990s, sometimes in conjunction with Islamist ] separatists. | |||
| <ref name="1995patterns">{{cite web|url=http://www.fas.org/irp/threat/terror_95/terasi.htm#India|title=1995 Patterns of Global Terrorism|last=Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism|date=April 1996|publisher=FAS.ORG|accessdate=2009-05-30}}</ref> | |||
| <ref name="CNN96may22">, ], 22 May 1996</ref> | |||
| <ref name="CNN96may21">, CNN, 21 Apr 1996</ref> | |||
| The Khalistan Liberation Army (KLA) is reputed to have been a wing of, or possibly associated with, or possibly a breakaway group from, the KLF.<ref name="RRTresponse" /> | |||
| The KLF was listed in 1995 one of the 4 "major militant groups" in the Khalistan movement.<ref name="TerrorismInContext" /> | |||
| In 2006, a ], ], jury convicted Khalid Awan of providing money and financial services to the Khalistan Commando Force, a terrorist organization responsible for thousands of deaths in India since its founding in 1986. The investigation began in 2003, when Awan, jailed at the time for credit card fraud, bragged of his relationship with Paramjeet Singh Panjwar, leader of the KCF.<ref name="KCFconvict">{{cite web|url= http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov/pr122006.html |title=U.S. Court Convicts Khalid Awan for Supporting Khalistan Commando Force|date=20 December 2006|publisher=Embassy of the United States in New Delhi, India|accessdate=2009-05-30}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> | |||
| ===]=== | |||
| The KZF is listed as a terrorist organization by the EU.<ref name="EU list of terrorist groups" /> but not by United States<ref>http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/other/des/123085.htm</ref>. | |||
| ] reported in its online edition on 19 June 2006 that "Police claimed" that the KZF was behind bomb blasts in Jalandhar, India, at the Inter-State Bus Terminus that left three people killed and injured 12. A police spokesman said the attack was planned by a pair of KZF leaders, one based in Pakistan and one in Canada, and executed by a "local criminal".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/kzf-behind-jalandhar-blasts/6802/|title=KZF behind Jalandhar blasts|date=19 June 2006|publisher=The Indian Express|accessdate=2009-06-02}}</ref> | |||
| === ] === | |||
| In 2004, violence erupted at a protest against a play, "]" (Dishonour), that was to have been performed at the ]. The protest organizer, Sewa Singh Mandla, chairman of the Birmingham council of Sikh Gurdwaras, blamed the violence on extremist members of ]. | |||
| Amrik Singh Gill, chairman of the Federation, said his members had taken part in the opposition to the play from the start, and denied that its members played any part in the violence. Another member of the Sikh Federation, Kulwinder Singh Johal, expressed happiness that the play had been canceled, confirmed that Sikh Federation members had taken part in the protest against the play, and denied that there had been any violence on the part of the protesters.<ref name="playprotest">{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article404969.ece|title=Extremists Hijacked Play Protest|last=O’Neill|first=Sean|coauthors=Nicola Woolcock |date=22 December 2004|publisher=The Times|accessdate=2009-05-30 | location=London}}</ref> ] reported that when it appeared the play might be presented despite the protest, death threats increased, and the playwright went into hiding.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20041226/ai_n12592681/|title=CANCELLED DUE TO LACK OF TOLERANCE It wasn t just the arts world that...(remainder lost)|last=Crichton|first=Torcuil|date=26 December 2004 |publisher=The Sunday Herald|accessdate=2009-06-05}}</ref> The play was canceled.<ref name="playprotest" /> | |||
| ==See also== | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| ==References== | |||
| {{Reflist|2}} | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| * {{cite book|last=Juergensmeyer|first=Mark|publisher=University of California Press|page=319|year=2003|edition=3|chapter=The Sword of Sikhism|isbn=9780520240117|url=http://books.google.com/?id=lpb1mbaHjGQC&pg=PA95&lpg=PA95&dq=Kanwarjit+Singh+Sultanwind+death|accessdate=18 June 2009|title=Terror in the mind of God}} | |||
| * {{cite web|url=http://www.start.umd.edu/gtd|title=University of Maryland Global Terrorism Database|publisher=University of Maryland|accessdate=2010-05-}}05 | |||
| {{Criticism of religion}} | |||
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Sikh Extremism}} | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
| ] | |||
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