View source for Khalistan movement

{{Short description|Sikh separatist movement in the Punjab region}}
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{{Use Indian English|date=November 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2025}}
[[File:Flag-of-Khalistan.svg|thumb|The proposed flag of Khalistan is often used as a symbol of the Khalistan movement.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shah |first=Murtaza Ali |date=27 January 2022 |title=Khalistan flag installed on Gandhi Statue in Washington |work=Geo News |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/395548-khalistan-flag-installed-on-gandhi-statue-in-washington |access-date=31 July 2022 |archive-date=31 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731125523/https://www.geo.tv/amp/395548-khalistan-flag-installed-on-gandhi-statue-in-washington |url-status=live }}</ref>]]

The '''Khalistan movement''' is a [[Separatism|separatist movement]] seeking to create a homeland for [[Sikhs]] by establishing an ethno-religious [[sovereign state]] called '''Khalistan'''{{Efn|Also known as ''Sikhistan'' from the 1940s to 1970s.|group=upper-alpha}} ({{lit|[[-stan|land of]] the [[Khalsa]]}}) in the [[Punjab|Punjab region]].<ref>{{Cite book |last = Kinnvall |first = Catarina |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=XJzUzWDwZ4kC |title = Globalization and Religious Nationalism in India: The Search for Ontological Security |chapter = Situating Sikh and Hindu Nationalism in India |date = 24 January 2007 |publisher=Routledge |isbn = 978-1-13-413570-7 |language = en |access-date = 14 August 2015 |archive-date = 30 March 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072123/https://books.google.com/books?id=XJzUzWDwZ4kC |url-status = live}}</ref> The proposed boundaries of Khalistan vary between different groups; some suggest the entirety of the Sikh-majority Indian state of [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], while larger claims include [[Punjab, Pakistan|Pakistani Punjab]] and other parts of [[North India]] such as [[Chandigarh]], [[Haryana]], and [[Himachal Pradesh]].<ref name="Crenshaw">Crenshaw, Martha (1995). ''Terrorism in Context'', [[Pennsylvania State University]], {{ISBN|978-0-271-01015-1}}. p. 364.</ref>

The call for a separate Sikh state began during the 1930s, when [[British Raj|British rule in India]] was nearing its end.<ref name="keith-call-homeland"/> In 1940, the first explicit call for Khalistan was made in a pamphlet titled "Khalistan".<ref>{{cite book|last1=Shani|first1=Giorgio|title=Sikh Nationalism and Identity in a Global Age|date=2007|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-10189-4|page=51|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HKu66SixH6AC&q=bhatti |quote=However, the term Khalistan was first coined by Dr V.S. Bhatti to denote an independent Sikh state in March 1940. Dr Bhatti made the case for a separate Sikh state in a pamphlet entitled 'Khalistan' in response to the Muslim League's Lahore Resolution.|access-date=19 March 2023|archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072134/https://books.google.com/books?id=HKu66SixH6AC&q=bhatti|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Bianchini |first1=Stefano |last2=Chaturvedi |first2=Sanjay |last3=Ivekovic|first3=Rada|last4=Samaddar|first4=Ranabir|title=Partitions: Reshaping States and Minds |date=2004 |publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-27654-7 |page=121 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=32h_AgAAQBAJ&q=pamphlet%20forty%20pages|quote=Around the same time, a pamphlet of about forty pages, entitled 'Khalistan', and authored by medical doctor, V.S. Bhatti, also appeared. |access-date=19 March 2023|archive-date=30 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072124/https://books.google.com/books?id=32h_AgAAQBAJ&q=pamphlet%20forty%20pages|url-status=live}}</ref> In the 1940s, a demand for a Sikh country called 'Sikhistan' arose.<ref name=":6">{{Cite book |last=Larson |first=Gerald James |title=India's Agony Over Religion: Confronting Diversity in Teacher Education |date=16 February 1995 |publisher=SUNY Press |isbn=9780791424124 |edition=Reprint |pages=190}}</ref> With financial and political support from the [[Sikh diaspora]], the movement flourished in the Indian state of Punjab – which has a [[Demographics of Punjab, India|Sikh-majority population]] – continuing through the 1970s and 1980s, and reaching its zenith in the late 1980s. The Sikh separatist leader [[Jagjit Singh Chohan]] said that during his talks with [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto]], the latter affirmed his support for the Khalistan movement in retaliation for the [[Indo-Pakistani war of 1971|1971 Indo-Pakistan war]], which resulted in the secession of Bangladesh from Pakistan.<ref name="ChohanIT22">{{cite news |last1=Gupta |first1=Shekhar |last2=Subramanian |first2=Nirupaman |date=15 December 1993 |title=You can't get Khalistan through military movement: Jagat Singh Chouhan |language=en |work=India Today |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/interview/story/19931215-you-cant-get-khalistan-through-military-movement-says-jagat-singh-chouhan-811922-1993-12-15 |url-status=live |access-date=29 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204070745/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/interview/story/19931215-you-cant-get-khalistan-through-military-movement-says-jagat-singh-chouhan-811922-1993-12-15 |archive-date=4 February 2021}}</ref>

The [[Insurgency in Punjab, India|insurgency in Punjab]] started in the early 1980s after [[1978 Sikh–Nirankari clash]].<ref name="HT_New2018" /><ref name="india-canada-list">{{cite news |date=22 February 2018 |title=India gives Trudeau list of suspected Sikh separatists in Canada |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-canada-trudeau/india-gives-trudeau-list-of-suspected-sikh-separatists-in-canada-idUSKCN1G61K7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203234341/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-canada-trudeau/india-gives-trudeau-list-of-suspected-sikh-separatists-in-canada-idUSKCN1G61K7 |archive-date=3 February 2021 |access-date=22 May 2018 |publisher=Reuters |quote=The Sikh insurgency petered out in the 1990s. He told state leaders his country would not support anyone trying to reignite the movement for an independent Sikh homeland called Khalistan.}}</ref> Several [[Groups of Khalistan movement|Pro-Khalistan groups]] were involved in the armed insurgency, including [[Babbar Khalsa]] and [[Khalistan Commando Force]], among others.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Fair |first1=C. Christine |title=Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies: Insights from the Khalistan and Tamil Eelam Movements |journal=Nationalism and Ethnic Politics |date=2005 |volume=11 |pages=125–156 |doi=10.1080/13537110590927845|s2cid=145552863|issn = 1353-7113 }}</ref> In 1986, [[Khalistan Commando Force]] took responsibility for the assassination of General [[Arun Vaidya]], in retaliation for 1984's [[Operation Blue Star]].<ref name="topgeneralassasinated">Weisman, Steven R. "A Top Indian General Is Assassinated", ''[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]'', 11 August 1986.</ref><ref name="vaidyamurdercase">"The Vaidya Murder Case: Confirming Death Sentences", ''[[India Abroad]]'' (New York edition). New York: 24 July 1992. Vol. XXII, Issue 43. p. 20.</ref> By the mid-1990s, the
insurgency petered out, with the last major incident being the [[Beant Singh (politician)#Assassination|assassination of Chief Minister Beant Singh]], who was killed in a bomb blast by a member of [[Babbar Khalsa International|Babbar Khalsa]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Punjab on edge over hanging of Beant Singh's killer Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/punjab-on-edge-beant-singh-balwant-singh-rajoana-97331-2012-03-27 |access-date=28 March 2012 |newspaper=India Today |date=28 March 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329042658/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/punjab-on-edge-beant-singh-balwant-singh-rajoana/1/179691.html |archive-date=29 March 2012 }}</ref> The movement failed to reach its objective for multiple reasons, including violent police crackdowns on separatists, factional infighting, and disillusionment from the Sikh population.<ref name="HT_New2018" />{{sfnp|Van Dyke, The Khalistan Movement|2009|p=990}}

There is some support within India and the Sikh diaspora, with yearly demonstrations in protest of those killed during [[Operation Blue Star]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ali|first1=Haider |title=Mass protests erupt around Golden Temple complex as pro-Khalistan Sikhs mark Blue Star anniversary |url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/world/mass-protests-erupt-around-golden-temple-complex-as-pro-khalistan-sikhs-mark-blue-star-anniversary/ |work=Daily Pakistan|date=6 June 2018|access-date=25 June 2018|archive-date=6 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706201236/https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/06-Jun-2018/mass-protests-erupt-around-golden-temple-complex-as-pro-khalistan-sikhs-mark-blue-star-anniversary|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=UK: Pakistani-origin lawmaker leads protests in London to call for Kashmir, Khalistan freedom|url=https://scroll.in/latest/866573/uk-pakistani-origin-lawmaker-leads-protests-in-london-to-call-for-kashmir-khalistan-freedom|website=Scroll|date=27 January 2018 |access-date=29 June 2018|archive-date=3 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203233201/https://scroll.in/latest/866573/uk-pakistani-origin-lawmaker-leads-protests-in-london-to-call-for-kashmir-khalistan-freedom|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Bhattacharyya|first1=Anirudh|title=Pro-Khalistan groups plan event in Canada to mark Operation Bluestar anniversary|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/pro-khalistan-groups-plan-event-in-canada-to-mark-operation-bluestar-anniversary/story-g6TtIBu1JXinwhvaQe0F5N.html|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=6 July 2018|date=5 June 2017|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204024553/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/pro-khalistan-groups-plan-event-in-canada-to-mark-operation-bluestar-anniversary/story-g6TtIBu1JXinwhvaQe0F5N.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In early 2018, some militant groups were arrested by police in Punjab, India.<ref name="HT_New2018">{{cite news|title=New brand of Sikh militancy: Suave, tech-savvy pro-Khalistan youth radicalised on social media|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/a-new-brand-of-sikh-militancy-rears-its-head/story-JH3XbAGk6sSxlYrVEDyISK.html|newspaper=Hindustan Times|access-date=27 April 2018|archive-date=4 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304040341/https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/a-new-brand-of-sikh-militancy-rears-its-head/story-JH3XbAGk6sSxlYrVEDyISK.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Former [[List of chief ministers of Punjab, India|Chief Minister of Punjab]] [[Amarinder Singh]] claimed that the recent extremism is backed by Pakistan's [[Inter-Services Intelligence]] (ISI) and "Khalistani sympathisers" in [[Canada]], [[Italy]], and the [[United Kingdom|UK]].<ref name="OutlookAmarinder">{{cite news|last1=Majumdar|first1=Ushinor|title=Sikh Extremists in Canada, The UK And Italy Are Working With ISI Or Independently|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/sikh-extremists-in-canada-the-uk-and-italy-are-working-with-isi-or-independently/299753|newspaper=Outlook India|quote=Q. Is it clear which "foreign hand" is driving this entire nexus? A. Evidence gathered by the police and other agencies points to the ISI as the key perpetrator of extremism in Punjab. (Amarinder Singh Indian Punjab Chief Minister)|access-date=8 June 2018|archive-date=20 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190720213325/https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/sikh-extremists-in-canada-the-uk-and-italy-are-working-with-isi-or-independently/299753|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar)]] is currently the only pro-Khalistan party recognised by the [[Election Commission of India]]. As of 2024, two seats in the Indian Parliament are held by [[Amritpal Singh]], an incarcerated pro-Khalistan activist, and [[Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa]], who is the son of the assassin of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.<ref name="Dedicates">{{citation |title=Simranjit Singh Mann stokes row, dedicates Sangrur win to Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale: Know about pro-Khalistan leader |url=https://www.firstpost.com/politics/simranjit-singh-mann-stokes-row-dedicates-sangrur-win-to-jarnail-singh-bhindranwale-know-about-pro-khalistan-leader-10840911.html |access-date=27 June 2022 |work=[[Firstpost]] |date=27 June 2022 |language=en |archive-date=27 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627072635/https://www.firstpost.com/politics/simranjit-singh-mann-stokes-row-dedicates-sangrur-win-to-jarnail-singh-bhindranwale-know-about-pro-khalistan-leader-10840911.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{citation |date=26 June 2022 |title=Sangrur Bypoll Results Live: AAP loses Bhagwant Mann's seat, SAD-A wins by 6,800 votes |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sangrur-by-election-results-2022-live-updates-counting-of-votes-lok-sabha-bypoll-results-in-punjab-101656210234523.html |access-date=26 June 2022 |work=[[Hindustan Times]] |language=en |archive-date=26 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626091844/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sangrur-by-election-results-2022-live-updates-counting-of-votes-lok-sabha-bypoll-results-in-punjab-101656210234523.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Pre-1950s ==
[[File:Map showing Sikh Empire's territory at the time of Ranjit Singh’s passing away.jpg|thumb|[[Maharaja Ranjit Singh]]'s [[Sikh Empire]] in c. 1839.]]

Sikhs have been concentrated in the [[Punjab|Punjab region]] of [[South Asia]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wallace |first1=Paul |title=The Sikhs as a "Minority" in a Sikh Majority State in India |journal=Asian Survey |date=1986 |volume=26 |issue=3 |pages=363–377 |doi=10.2307/2644197 |jstor=2644197 |issn=0004-4687|quote=Over 8,000,000 of India's 10,378,979 Sikhs were concentrated in Punjab}}</ref> Before its conquest by the British, the region around Punjab had been ruled by the confederacy of [[Sikh Misl]]s in the 18th century and a [[Sikh Empire]] and [[Cis-Sutlej states|kingdoms]] in the first half of the 19th century. The Misls ruled over the eastern Punjab from 1733 to 1799,{{sfnp|Jolly, Sikh Revivalist Movements|1988|p=6}} until their confederacy was unified into the [[Sikh Empire]] by [[Maharajah Ranjit Singh]] from 1799 to 1849.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Purewal |first1=Navtej K. |title=Living on the Margins: Social Access to Shelter in Urban South Asia |date=2017 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-351-74899-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JFM8DwAAQBAJ&dq=Maharaja+Ranjit+Singh+unified&pg=PT68 |language=en |quote=The wrangling between various Sikh groupings were resolved by the nineteenth century when Maharajah Ranjit Singh unified the Punjab from Peshawar t the Sutluj River. |access-date=19 March 2023 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072117/https://books.google.com/books?id=JFM8DwAAQBAJ&dq=Maharaja+Ranjit+Singh+unified&pg=PT68 |url-status=live }}</ref>

At the end of the [[Second Anglo-Sikh War]] in 1849, the Sikh Empire was dissolved into separate [[princely state]]s and the [[Punjab Province (British India)|British province of Punjab]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Panton |first1=Kenneth J. |title=Historical Dictionary of the British Empire |date=2015 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-0-8108-7524-1 |pages=470 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WdFbCQAAQBAJ&dq=sikh+empire+british&pg=PA470 |language=en |quote=A second conflict, just two years later, led to complete subjugation of the Sikhs and the incorporation of the remainder of their lands |access-date=19 March 2023 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072126/https://books.google.com/books?id=WdFbCQAAQBAJ&dq=sikh+empire+british&pg=PA470 |url-status=live }}</ref> In newly conquered regions, "religio-nationalist movements emerged in response to British {{'}}[[divide and rule]]{{'}} administrative policies, the perceived success of Christian missionaries converting Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims, and a general belief that the solution to the downfall among India's religious communities was a grassroots religious revival."{{sfnp|Fair, Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies|2005|p=127}}

As the British Empire began to dissolve in the 1930s, Sikhs made their first call for a Sikh homeland.<ref name="keith-call-homeland">{{cite book |last1=Axel |first1=Brian Keith |title=The Nation's Tortured Body: Violence, Representation, and the Formation of a Sikh "Diaspora" |date=2001 |publisher=Duke University Press |isbn=978-0-8223-2615-1 |pages=84 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gj8yJsixw8QC&dq=akali+dal+khalistan+1930s&pg=PA84 |language=en |quote=The call for a Sikh homeland was first made in the 1930s, addressed to the quickly dissolving empire. |access-date=19 March 2023 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072138/https://books.google.com/books?id=Gj8yJsixw8QC&dq=akali+dal+khalistan+1930s&pg=PA84 |url-status=live }}</ref> When the [[Lahore Resolution]] of the [[All-India Muslim League|Muslim League]] demanded Punjab be made into a Muslim state, the [[Akali movement|Akalis]] viewed it as an attempt to usurp a historically Sikh territory.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Axel |first1=Brian Keith |title=The Nation's Tortured Body: Violence, Representation, and the Formation of a Sikh "Diaspora" |date=2001 |publisher=Duke University Press |isbn=978-0-8223-2615-1 |pages=85 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gj8yJsixw8QC&dq=akali+dal+khalistan+1930s&pg=PA84 |language=en |quote=The Akalis viewed the Lahore Resolution and the Cripps Mission as a betrayal of the Sikhs and an attempt to usurp what, since the time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, was historically a Sikh territory. |access-date=19 March 2023 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072138/https://books.google.com/books?id=Gj8yJsixw8QC&dq=akali+dal+khalistan+1930s&pg=PA84 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{citation |last1=Tan |first1=Tai Yong |author-link1=Tan Tai Yong |last2=Kudaisya |first2=Gyanesh |author-link2=Gyanesh Kudaisya |year=2005 |orig-year=First published 2000 |title=The Aftermath of Partition in South Asia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aPOBAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA100 |publisher=Routledge |page=100 |isbn=978-0-415-28908-5 |quote=The professed intention of the Muslim League to impose a Muslim state on the Punjab (a Muslim majority province) was anathema to the Sikhs ... the Sikhs launched a virulent campaign against the Lahore Resolution ... Sikh leaders of all political persuasions made it clear that Pakistan would be 'wholeheartedly resisted'.}}</ref> In response, the Sikh party [[Shiromani Akali Dal]] argued for a community that was separate from Hindus and Muslims.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Axel |first1=Brian Keith |title=The Nation's Tortured Body: Violence, Representation, and the Formation of a Sikh "Diaspora" |date=2001 |publisher=Duke University Press |isbn=978-0-8223-2615-1 |pages=84 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gj8yJsixw8QC&dq=akali+dal+khalistan+1930s&pg=PA84 |language=en |quote=Against the nationalist ideology of a united India, which called for all groups to set aside "communal" differences, the Shiromani Akali Dal Party of the 1930s rallied around the proposition of a Sikh panth (community) that was separate from Hindus and Muslims. |access-date=19 March 2023 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072138/https://books.google.com/books?id=Gj8yJsixw8QC&dq=akali+dal+khalistan+1930s&pg=PA84 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Akali Dal imagined Khalistan as a [[theocracy|theocratic]] state led by the [[Maharaja of Patiala]] with the aid of a cabinet consisting of the representatives of other units.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Shani |first1=Giorgio |title=Sikh Nationalism and Identity in a Global Age |date=2007 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-134-10189-4 |pages=52 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HKu66SixH6AC&dq=shani+theocratic+state+khalistan&pg=PA52 |language=en |quote=Khalistan was imagined as a theocratic state, a mirror-image of 'Muslim' Pakistan, led by the Maharaja of Patiala with the aid of a cabinet consisting of representing federating units. |access-date=19 March 2023 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072207/https://books.google.com/books?id=HKu66SixH6AC&dq=shani+theocratic+state+khalistan&pg=PA52 |url-status=live }}</ref> The country would include parts of present-day [[Punjab, India]], present-day [[Punjab, Pakistan]] (including [[Lahore]]), and the [[Shimla|Simla]] [[Hill States of India|Hill States]].<ref>{{citation |title=The Foreign Policy of Pakistan: Ethnic Impacts on Diplomacy 1971–1994 |last=Shah |first=Mehtab Ali |date=1997 |publisher=I.B.Tauris |isbn=978-1-86064-169-5 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7czT4fipTyoC&q=khalistan+lahore&pg=PA25 |access-date=5 October 2020 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072122/https://books.google.com/books?id=7czT4fipTyoC&q=khalistan+lahore&pg=PA25 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Azad Punjab, 1943 ===
[[File:Punjab 1909.jpg|thumb|[[Punjab (British India)|British Punjab Province]], in 1909]]
Azad Punjab was a proposal of a redrawing of the boundaries of Punjab to excise the overwhelmingly Muslim-majority northwestern-areas west of the Jhelum river out of, which the Akali Dal claimed were not actually part of Punjab proper but had been added administratively to Punjab earlier by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.<ref name=":7">{{Cite journal |last=Yong |first=Tan Tai |date=July–December 1994 |title=Prelude to Partition: Sikh Responses to the Demand for Pakistan, 1940–47 |url=https://giss.org/pdf/1_2_Punjab_F.pdf |journal=International Journal of Punjab Studies |volume=1 |issue=2 |pages=174–183}}</ref> The Azad Punjab proposal was a redrawing of borders in-order to demographically balance the religious make-up of the Punjab to around 40% Muslim, 40% Hindu, an 20% Sikh so that no single religious community would demographically dominate overall whilst also ensuring the Sikhs would remain the power-brokers between the equally-numbered Muslims and Hindus.<ref name=":7" /> The Azad Punjab proposal was never intended to be a separate Sikh state.<ref name=":7" /> The areas claimed for Azad Punjab were Ambala, Jullunder, and Lahore divisions, Lyallpur district of the Multan division, and parts of Montgomery and Multan districts.<ref name=":7" /> However, the Azad Punjab proposal was not popular outside of the Akali Dal.<ref name=":7" />

=== Sikhistan, 1944–1946 ===
Sikhistan was a proposal taken up by Master Tara Singh for an "independent Sikh nation" in the 1940s.<ref name=":6" /> In 1940, V. S. Bhatti proposed the creation of a Sikh nation called 'Sikhistan' to be led by the [[Maharaja of Patiala]]. He envisioned a "Khalistan" where the Maharaja would be aided by a cabinet comprising representatives from various federating units.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Shani |first=Giorgio |url=https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9780203937211/sikh-nationalism-identity-global-age-giorgio-shani |title=Sikh Nationalism and Identity in a Global Age |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-134-10189-4 |doi=10.4324/9780203937211 |access-date=15 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014214039/https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9780203937211/sikh-nationalism-identity-global-age-giorgio-shani |archive-date=14 October 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Shani |first=Giorgio |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ckd8AgAAQBAJ&dq=The+Khalistan+proposed+by+Bhatti+was+meant+to+include+three+main+areas%3A+the+central+districts+of+Punjab+province+then+directly+administered+by+the+British%2C+including+Ludhiana%2C+Jullunder%2C+Ambala%2C+Ferozpur%2C+Amritsar+and+Lahore%3B+the+%27princely+states%27+of+the+Cis-Sutlej%2C+including+Patiala%2C+Nabha%2C+Faridkot+and+Malerkolta%3A+and+the+Shimla+Group%27+of+states.+Khalistan+was+imagined+as+a+theocratic+state%2C+a+mirror-image+of+%2AMuslim%27+Pakistan%2C+led+by+the+Maharaja+of+Patiala+with+the+aid+of+a+cabinet+consisting+of+representative+federating+units+%28Riar+1996%3A+233%29+The+Khalistan+demand+proposed+by+Bhatti+appealed+to+those+Sikhs+outside+of+the+Sikh+%27political+system%27%2C&pg=PT70 |title=Sikh Nationalism and Identity in a Global Age |date=6 December 2007 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-134-10188-7 |language=en |access-date=21 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118065625/https://books.google.com/books?id=ckd8AgAAQBAJ&dq=The+Khalistan+proposed+by+Bhatti+was+meant+to+include+three+main+areas%3A+the+central+districts+of+Punjab+province+then+directly+administered+by+the+British%2C+including+Ludhiana%2C+Jullunder%2C+Ambala%2C+Ferozpur%2C+Amritsar+and+Lahore%3B+the+%27princely+states%27+of+the+Cis-Sutlej%2C+including+Patiala%2C+Nabha%2C+Faridkot+and+Malerkolta%3A+and+the+Shimla+Group%27+of+states.+Khalistan+was+imagined+as+a+theocratic+state%2C+a+mirror-image+of+%2AMuslim%27+Pakistan%2C+led+by+the+Maharaja+of+Patiala+with+the+aid+of+a+cabinet+consisting+of+representative+federating+units+%28Riar+1996%3A+233%29+The+Khalistan+demand+proposed+by+Bhatti+appealed+to+those+Sikhs+outside+of+the+Sikh+%27political+system%27%2C&pg=PT70 |archive-date=18 November 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Archives |first=The National |title=The National Archives - Homepage |url=https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/indian-independence/liberator/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014224123/https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/indian-independence/liberator/ |archive-date=14 October 2022 |access-date=14 October 2022 |website=The National Archives |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pathak |first=Ritika |date=12 December 2020 |title=Khalistan movement: Origin and the two different narratives |url=https://www.newshour.press/blogs/khalistan-movement-origin-and-the-two-different-narratives/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014225743/https://www.newshour.press/blogs/khalistan-movement-origin-and-the-two-different-narratives/ |archive-date=14 October 2022 |access-date=14 October 2022 |website=Newshour Press |language=en-US}}</ref> These units included the central districts of Punjab province directly administered by the British at that time, including [[Ludhiana]], [[Jalandhar]], [[Ambala]], [[Firozpur]], [[Amritsar]], and [[Lahore]]. It also encompassed the princely states of the [[Cis-Sutlej states|Cis-Sutlej]] region, including Patiala, [[Nabha State|Nabha]], [[Faridkot State|Faridkot]], and [[Malerkotla State|Malerkotla]], as well as the states in the 'Shimla Group'.

Sikhistan was further proposed in mid-1944 at the All-Parties Sikh Conference in Amritsar in-response to the [[C. R. formula]], which the Sikhs of the Akali Dal felt betrayed by as the proposal would divide the Sikh population at the time into two halves.<ref name=":7" /> Sikhistan differed from the Azad Punjab scheme that the Akali Dal had previously supported in 1943, as while Sikhistan demanded a separate Sikh state and was marked by a "Sikh complexion", Azad Punjab was on the other hand was a call for a more demographically religiously-balanced Punjab (albeit to still give Sikhs an upper-hand politically).<ref name=":7" /> However, Sikhistan did not feature in the election of campaign of the Akali Dal in 1946.<ref name=":7" /> On 22 March 1946, the Akali Dal pressed the demand for Sikhistan to the Cabinet Mission.<ref name=":7" /> Another name used for the proposed Sikh country was Khalistan.<ref name=":7" />

Sikhistan was envisioned to be a Sikh federation, where regions in central and eastern Punjab with large amounts of Sikhs, alongside territory held by the Sikh-ruled princely states of Patiala, Nabha, Jind, Faridkot, Kalsia, and Kapurthala, would form a country.<ref name=":7" /> According to Giani Kartar Singh, Sikhistan would comprise the entirety of Lahore, Karnal, Simla, Montgomery, and Lyallpur districts.<ref name=":7" /> Meanwhile, Baldev Singh envisioned Sikhistan as comprising Ambala, Jullunder, and Lahore divisions.<ref name=":7" /> Master Tara Singh vaguely mentioned that a future Sikhistan would reserve the right to federate with either Pakistan or India.<ref name=":7" /> According to Tan Tai Yong, the demand for Sikhistan was a sign of the desperation of the Sikh leaders, who wanted to communicate to the British their fears of being under a "Muslim Raj" and their hope for representation in post-colonial Punjab.<ref name=":7" /> Therefore, the Sikhs copied the Muslim League in their demand for Pakistan by making a demand for Sikhistan in-order to achieve their aims for future political representation and power, although the Sikh leaders knew the demand for Sikhistan would not be taken seriously.<ref name=":7" /> The Cabinet Mission dismissed the Sikhistan demand as unrealistic and impossible.<ref name=":7" />

=== Partition of India, 1947 ===
[[File:Partition map of Punjab, showing the India and Pakistan border boundaries, Geographical Section, General Staff, 1947 (with markups including irrigation information).jpg|thumb|Partition map of Punjab, showing the India and Pakistan border boundaries, Geographical Section, General Staff, 1947 (with a region marked as the "Sikh Homeland")]]
Before the 1947 [[partition of India]], Sikhs were not in majority in any of the districts of pre-partition [[Punjab Province (British India)|British Punjab Province]] other than [[Ludhiana]] (where Sikhs formed 41.6% of the population).<ref>{{citation|last1=Hill|first1=K.|title=A Demographic Case Study of Forced Migration: The 1947 Partition of India|date=2003|url=http://paa2004.princeton.edu/download.asp?submissionId=41274|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206171954/http://paa2004.princeton.edu/download.asp?submissionId=41274|publisher=Harvard University Asia Center|archive-date=6 December 2008|last2=Seltzer|first2=W.|last3=Leaning|first3=J.|last4=Malik|first4=S.J.|last5=Russell|first5=S. S.|last6=Makinson|first6=C.}}</ref> Rather, districts in the region had a majority of either the Hindus or Muslims depending on its location in the province.

[[Presidencies and provinces of British India|British India]] was partitioned on a religious basis in 1947, where the Punjab province was divided between India and the newly created Pakistan. As result, a majority of Sikhs, along with the Hindus, migrated from the Pakistani region to India's Punjab, which included present-day [[Haryana]] and [[Himachal Pradesh]]. The Sikh population, which had gone as high as 19.8% in some Pakistani districts in 1941, dropped to 0.1% in Pakistan, and rose sharply in the districts assigned to India. However, they would still be a minority in the Punjab province of India, which remained a Hindu-majority province.<ref name="WHM_Sikhs_1991">{{citation |last=McLeod |first=W. H. |title=The Sikhs: History, Religion, and Society |url=https://archive.org/details/sikhshistoryreli00mcle |year=1989 |publisher=Columbia University Press |isbn=978-0-231-06815-4}}</ref>{{page needed|date=December 2018}}

After the [[Partition of India]] in 1947, a Sikh publication called ''The Liberator'' advocated for Khalistan, proposing that it should include [[East Punjab]] merged with the [[Patiala and East Punjab States Union]] (PEPSU), with the Maharaja of Patiala as its monarch.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Amar |title=LET PATIALA LEAD THE PANTH TO GLORY |url=https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/indian-independence/liberator/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014224123/https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/indian-independence/liberator/ |archive-date=14 October 2022 |access-date=15 October 2022 |website=National Achieves UK}}</ref>

=== Sikh relationship with Punjab (via Oberoi) ===

[[File:Punjab district map.png|thumb|A map of the present-day Indian state of [[Punjab]]. Following the partition, [[East Punjab]] (including [[Patiala and East Punjab States Union|PEPSU]]) was divided in 1966 with the formation of the new states of [[Haryana]] and [[Himachal Pradesh]] as well as the current state of Punjab. Punjab is the only state in India with a majority Sikh population.]]
Sikh historian [[Harjot Oberoi|Harjot Singh Oberoi]] argues that, despite the historical linkages between Sikhs and Punjab, territory has never been a major element of Sikh self-definition. He makes the case that the attachment of Punjab with Sikhism is a recent phenomenon, stemming from the 1940s.{{sfnp|Fair, Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies|2005|p=129}} Historically, [[Sikhism]] has been pan-Indian, with the [[Guru Granth Sahib]] (the main scripture of Sikhism) drawing from works of saints in both North and South India, while several major seats in Sikhism (e.g. [[Takht Sri Patna Sahib]] in [[Bihar]] and [[Hazur Sahib]] in [[Maharashtra]]) are located outside of Punjab.<ref>{{Cite web|date=30 November 1999|title=Gurudwaras Outside of Punjab State|url=https://www.allaboutsikhs.com/gurudwaras/gurudwaras-in-india/gurudwaras-outside-of-punjab-state-v15-2736/|access-date=17 October 2020|website=Gateway To Sikhism|language=en-US|archive-date=2 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302180228/https://www.allaboutsikhs.com/gurudwaras/gurudwaras-in-india/gurudwaras-outside-of-punjab-state-v15-2736/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Oberoi makes the case that Sikh leaders in the late 1930s and 1940s realised that the dominance of [[Islam in Pakistan|Muslims in Pakistan]] and of [[Hinduism in India|Hindus in India]] was imminent. To justify a separate Sikh state within the Punjab, Sikh leaders started to mobilise meta-commentaries and signs to argue that Punjab belonged to Sikhs and Sikhs belong to Punjab. This began the territorialisation of the Sikh community.{{sfnp|Fair, Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies|2005|p=129}}

This territorialisation of the Sikh community would be formalised in March 1946, when the Sikh political party of [[Shiromani Akali Dal|Akali Dal]] passed a resolution proclaiming the natural association of Punjab and the Sikh religious community.{{sfnp|Fair, Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies|2005|p=130}} Oberoi argues that despite having its beginnings in the early 20th century, Khalistan as a separatist movement was never a major issue until the late 1970s and 1980s when it began to militarise.{{sfnp|Fair, Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies|2005|p=128}}

==1950s to 1970s==

There are two distinct narratives about the origins of the calls for a sovereign Khalistan. One refers to the events within India itself, while the other privileges the role of the [[Sikh diaspora]]. Both of these narratives vary in the form of governance proposed for this state (e.g. [[theocracy]] vs [[democracy]]) as well as the proposed name (i.e. Sikhistan vs Khalistan). Even the precise geographical borders of the proposed state differs among them although it was generally imagined to be carved out from one of various historical constructions of the Punjab.{{sfnp|Fair, Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies|2005|p=134}}

=== Emergence in India ===
{{see also|Punjabi Suba movement}}
Established on 14 December 1920, [[Shiromani Akali Dal|Akali Dal]] was a Sikh political party that sought to form a government in Punjab.<ref name=":1">Jetly, Rajshree. 2006. "The Khalistan Movement in India: The Interplay of Politics and State Power." ''International Review of Modern Sociology'' 34(1):61–62. {{JSTOR|41421658}}.</ref>

Following the 1947 independence of India, the [[Punjabi Suba movement]], led by the Akali Dal, sought the creation of a province (''[[Subah|suba]]'') for [[Punjabis|Punjabi people]]. The Akali Dal's maximal position of demands was a [[sovereign state]] (i.e. Khalistan), while its minimal position was to have an [[Autonomous administrative division|autonomous state]] within India.{{sfnp|Fair, Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies|2005|p=134}} The issues raised during the Punjabi Suba movement were later used as a premise for the creation of a separate Sikh country by proponents of Khalistan.

As the religious-based partition of India led to much bloodshed, the Indian government initially rejected the demand, concerned that creating a Punjabi-majority state would effectively mean yet again creating a state based on religious grounds.<ref name="Tribune_Relations_2003">{{cite news |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031103/edit.htm#5 |title=Hindu-Sikh relations – I |newspaper=The Tribune |location=Chandigarh, India |publisher=Tribuneindia.com |date=3 November 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605231120/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031103/edit.htm#5 |archive-date=5 June 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Chawla, Muhammad Iqbal. 2017. ''The Khalistan Movement of 1984: A Critical Appreciation''.
</ref>

On 7 September 1966, the [[Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966|''Punjab Reorganisation Act'']] was passed in Parliament, implemented with effect beginning 1 November 1966. Accordingly, Punjab was divided into the state of Punjab and [[Haryana]], with certain areas to [[Himachal Pradesh]]. [[Chandigarh]] was made a centrally administered [[Union territory]].<ref name="india_gov_PRA_1966">{{cite web |url=http://india.gov.in/allimpfrms/allacts/474.pdf |title=The Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966 |publisher=Government of India |date=18 September 1966 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119110225/http://india.gov.in/allimpfrms/allacts/474.pdf |archive-date=19 January 2012 }}</ref> While the [[Government of India|Union Government]] led by [[Indira Gandhi]] agreed with the creation of Punjab state but refused to make Chandigarh as its capital and also refused to make it autonomous. The outcome of the Punjabi Suba movement failed to meet demands of its leaders.<ref>{{cite book | author=[[Stanley Wolpert]] | title=India | publisher=[[University of California]] Press | year=2005 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HmkL1tp2Nl4C | page=216 | isbn=978-0-520-24696-6 | access-date=11 March 2023 | archive-date=30 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072125/https://books.google.com/books?id=HmkL1tp2Nl4C | url-status=live }}</ref>

====Anandpur Resolution====
{{see also|Anandpur Sahib Resolution}}
As Punjab and Haryana now shared the capital of Chandigarh, resentment was felt among Sikhs in Punjab.<ref name=":1" /> Adding further grievance, a canal system was put in place over the rivers of [[Ravi River|Ravi]], [[Beas River|Beas]], and [[Sutlej]], which flowed through Punjab, in order for water to also reach Haryana and [[Rajasthan]]. As result, Punjab would only receive 23% of the water while the rest would go to the two other states. The fact that the issue would not be revisited brought on additional turmoil to Sikh resentment against Congress.<ref name=":1" />

The Akali Dal was defeated in the [[1972 Punjab Legislative Assembly election|1972 Punjab elections]].<ref name="Mitra_Puzzle">{{citation|last1=Mitra|first1=Subrata K.|title=The Puzzle of India's Governance: Culture, Context and Comparative Theory|date=2007|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GuILNHwcT4AC&pg=PA94|page=94|location=Advances in South Asian Studies|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-27493-2|access-date=6 March 2018|archive-date=30 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072125/https://books.google.com/books?id=GuILNHwcT4AC&pg=PA94|url-status=live}}</ref> To regain public appeal, the party put forward the [[Anandpur Sahib Resolution]] in 1973 to demand radical devolution of power and further autonomy to Punjab.<ref>{{citation|last=Singh|first=Khushwant|title=A History of the Sikhs: Volume 2: 1839–2004|year=2004|chapter=The Anandpur Sahib Resolution and Other Akali Demands|publisher=Oxford University Press|doi=10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195673098.001.0001|isbn=978-0-19-567309-8}}</ref> The resolution document included both religious and political issues, asking for the recognition of Sikhism as a religion separate from Hinduism, as well as the transfer of [[Chandigarh]] and certain other areas to Punjab. It also demanded that power be radically devolved from the central to state governments.<ref name="Jayanta484">{{citation|last1=Ray|first1=Jayanta Kumar|title=Aspects of India's International Relations, 1700 to 2000: South Asia and the World|date=2007|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Nyk6oA2nOlgC&q=khalistan|page=484|publisher=Pearson Education India|isbn=978-81-317-0834-7|access-date=16 August 2019|archive-date=30 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072148/https://books.google.com/books?id=Nyk6oA2nOlgC&q=khalistan|url-status=live}}</ref>

The document was largely forgotten for some time after its adoption until gaining attention in the following decade. In 1982, the Akali Dal and [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]] joined hands to launch the Dharam Yudh Morcha in order to implement the resolution. Thousands of people joined the movement, feeling that it represented a real solution to such demands as larger shares of water for irrigation and the return of Chandigarh to Punjab.<ref name="Akshay1991">{{cite book|author=Akshayakumar Ramanlal Desai|title=Expanding Governmental Lawlessness and Organized Struggles|year=1991|pages=64–66|publisher=Popular Prakashan|isbn=978-81-7154-529-2}}</ref>

===Emergence in the diaspora===
According to the 'events outside India' narrative, particularly after 1971, the notion of a sovereign and independent state of Khalistan began to get popularised among Sikhs in [[North America]] and [[Europe]]. One such account is provided by the Khalistan Council which had moorings in [[West London]], where the Khalistan movement is said to have been launched in 1970.{{sfnp|Fair, Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies|2005|p=134}}

Davinder Singh Parmar migrated to London in 1954. According to Parmar, his first pro-Khalistan meeting was attended by less than 20 people and he was labelled as a madman, receiving only one person's support. Parmar continued his efforts despite the lack of following, eventually raising the Khalistani flag in [[Birmingham]] in the 1970s.{{sfnp|Fair, Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies|2005|p=135}} In 1969, two years after losing the Punjab Assembly elections, Indian politician [[Jagjit Singh Chohan]] moved to the [[United Kingdom]] to start his campaign for the creation of Khalistan.<ref name="NYT_Chohan_Dies">{{cite news|last=Pandya|first=Haresh|date=11 April 2007|title=Jagjit Singh Chauhan, Sikh Militant Leader in India, Dies at 80|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/11/world/asia/11chauhan.html|access-date=17 February 2017|archive-date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220150041/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/11/world/asia/11chauhan.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Chohan's proposal included Punjab, Himachal, Haryana, as well as some parts of [[Rajasthan]].<ref name=":2">{{harvp|Axel, The Nation's Tortured Body|2011|pp=101–}}</ref>

Parmar and Chohan met in 1970 and formally announced the Khalistan movement at a London press conference, though being largely dismissed by the community as fanatical fringe without any support.{{sfnp|Fair, Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies|2005|p=135}}

==== Chohan in Pakistan and US ====
[[File:Pakistan - Punjab - Nankana Sahib.svg|thumb|Location of [[Nankana Sahib]] in [[Punjab, Pakistan]], that was proposed as the capital of Khalistan by Z. A. Bhutto.]]
Following the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], Chohan visited [[Pakistan]] as a guest of such leaders as [[Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi|Chaudhuri Zahoor Elahi]]. Visiting [[Nankana Sahib]] and several historical gurdwaras in Pakistan, Chohan utilised the opportunity to spread the notion of an independent Sikh state. Widely publicised by Pakistani press, the extensive coverage of his remarks introduced the international community, including those in India, to the demand of Khalistan for the first time. Though lacking public support, the term ''Khalistan'' became more and more recognisable.{{sfnp|Fair, Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies|2005|p=135}} According to Chohan, during a talk with Prime Minister [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto]] of Pakistan, Bhutto had proposed to make Nankana Sahib the capital of Khalistan.<ref name="ChohanIT">{{cite news|last1=Gupta|first1=Shekhar|last2=Subramanian|first2=Nirupaman|date=15 December 1993|title=You can't get Khalistan through military movement: Jagat Singh Chouhan|language=en|work=India Today|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/interview/story/19931215-you-cant-get-khalistan-through-military-movement-says-jagat-singh-chouhan-811922-1993-12-15|access-date=29 November 2019|archive-date=4 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204070745/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/interview/story/19931215-you-cant-get-khalistan-through-military-movement-says-jagat-singh-chouhan-811922-1993-12-15|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 13 October 1971, visiting the United States at the invitation of his supporters in the [[Sikh diaspora]], Chohan placed an advertisement in the ''[[New York Times]]'' proclaiming an independent Sikh state. Such promotion enabled him to collect millions of dollars from the diaspora,<ref name="NYT_Chohan_Dies" /> eventually leading to charges in India relating to [[sedition]] and other crimes in connection with his separatist activities.

==== Council of Khalistan ====
After returning to India in 1977, Chohan travelled to Britain in 1979. There, he would establish the [[Council of Khalistan]],<ref>{{cite news |first=Jo |last=Thomas |title=London Sikh Assumes Role of Exile Chief |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/06/14/world/london-sikh-assumes-role-of-exile-chief.html |work=The New York Times |date=14 June 1984 |language=en |access-date=24 October 2018 |archive-date=24 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024074249/https://www.nytimes.com/1984/06/14/world/london-sikh-assumes-role-of-exile-chief.html |url-status=live }}</ref> declaring its formation at [[Anandpur Sahib]] on 12 April 1980. Chohan designated himself as President of the Council and Balbir Singh Sandhu as its Secretary General.

In May 1980, Chohan travelled to [[London]] to announce the formation of Khalistan. A similar announcement was made in [[Amritsar]] by Sandhu, who released stamps and currency of Khalistan. Operating from a building termed "Khalistan House", Chohan named a Cabinet and declared himself president of the "Republic of Khalistan," issuing symbolic Khalistan 'passports,' 'postage stamps,' and 'Khalistan dollars.' Moreover, embassies in Britain and other European countries were opened by Chohan.<ref name="NYT_Chohan_Dies" /> It is reported that, with the support of a wealthy Californian peach magnate, Chohan opened an Ecuadorian bank account to further support his operation.<ref name=":2" /> As well as maintaining contacts among various groups in Canada, the US, and Germany, Chohan kept in contact with the Sikh leader [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]] who was campaigning for a [[Theocracy|theocratic]] Sikh homeland.<ref name="NYT_Chohan_Dies"/>

The globalised Sikh diaspora invested efforts and resources for Khalistan, but the Khalistan movement remained nearly invisible on the global political scene until the Operation Blue Star of June 1984.{{sfnp|Fair, Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies|2005|p=135}}

====Operation Blue Star and impact====
In later disclosures from former special secretary G.B.S. Sidhu of the [[Research and Analysis Wing]] (R&AW), the foreign-intelligence agency of India, R&AW itself helped "build the Khalistan legend," actively participating in the planning of [[Operation Blue Star]]. While posted in [[Ottawa]], Canada in 1976 to look into the "Khalistan problem" among the Sikh diaspora, Sidhu found "nothing amiss" during the three years he was there,<ref name=dulat>{{cite news |last1=Dulat |first1=A. S. |author-link=A. S. Dulat |title=Genesis of tumultuous period in Punjab |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/reviews/story/genesis-of-tumultuous-period-in-punjab-183639 |website=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |location=Chandigarh, India |access-date=13 June 2021 |date=13 December 2020 |quote=Bhindranwale never raised the demand for Khalistan or went beyond the Akali Anandpur Sahib Resolution, while he himself was prepared for negotiations to the very end. |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624195655/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/reviews/story/genesis-of-tumultuous-period-in-punjab-183639 |url-status=live }}</ref> stating that "Delhi was unnecessarily making a mountain of a molehill where none existed," that the agency created seven posts in West Europe and North America in 1981 to counter non-existent Khalistan activities, and that the deployed officers were "not always familiar with the Sikhs or the Punjab issue."<ref name=dulat/> He described the secessionist movement as a "chimera" until the army operation, after which the insurgency would start.<ref name=dulat/>

According to a ''New York Times'' article written just a few weeks after the operation, "Before the raid on the Golden Temple, neither the Government nor anyone else appeared to put much credence in the Khalistan movement. Mr. Bhindranwale himself said many times that he was not seeking an independent country for Sikhs, merely greater autonomy for Punjab within the Indian Union.... One possible explanation advanced for the Government's raising of the Khalistan question is that it needs to take every opportunity to justify the killing in Amritsar and the invasion of the Sikhs' holiest shrine."<ref name=stevens>{{cite news |last1=Stevens |first1=William K. |title=Punjab Raid: Unanswered Questions |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/06/19/world/punjab-raid-unanswered-questions.html |access-date=12 June 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=19 June 1984 |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205941/https://www.nytimes.com/1984/06/19/world/punjab-raid-unanswered-questions.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Khushwant Singh had written that "considerable Khalistan sentiment seems to have arisen since the raid on the temple, which many Sikhs, if not most, have taken as a deep offense to their religion and their sensibilities," referring to the drastic change in community sentiments after the army attack.<ref name=stevens/>

== Late 1970s to 1983 ==

{{main|Dharam Yudh Morcha}}

===Delhi Asian Games (1982)===

The Akali leaders, having planned to announce a victory for Dharam Yudh Morcha, were outraged by the changes to the agreed-upon settlement. In November 1982, Akali leader [[Harchand Singh Longowal]] announced that the party would disrupt the [[1982 Asian Games|9th annual Asian Games]] by sending groups of Akali workers to Delhi to intentionally get arrested. Following negotiations between the Akali Dal and the government failed at the last moment due to disagreements regarding the transfer of areas between Punjab and Haryana.<ref name="JSChima">{{citation|last1=Chima|first1=Jugdep S|title=The Sikh Separatist Insurgency in India: Political Leadership and Ethnonationalist Movements|date=2008|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qJaHAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA72|pages=71–75|place=India|publisher=Sage Publications|isbn=978-81-321-0538-1|access-date=5 October 2020|archive-date=30 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072133/https://books.google.com/books?id=qJaHAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA72|url-status=live}}</ref>

Knowing that the Games would receive extensive coverage, Akali leaders vowed to overwhelm Delhi with a flood of protestors, aiming to heighten the perception of Sikh "plight" among the international audience.<ref name="JSChima" /> A week before the Games, [[Bhajan Lal Bishnoi|Bhajan Lal]], Chief Minister of Haryana and member of the [[Indian National Congress|INC]] party, responded by sealing the Delhi-Punjab border,<ref name="JSChima" /> and ordering all Sikh visitors travelling from to Delhi from Punjab to be frisked.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sharma|first=Sanjay|date=5 June 2011|title=Bhajan Lal lived with 'anti-Sikh, anti-Punjab' image|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Bhajan-Lal-lived-with-anti-Sikh-anti-Punjab-image/articleshow/8731824.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610094016/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-05/india/29622770_1_bhajan-lal-syl-punjab|url-status=live|work=[[The Times of India]]|archive-date=10 June 2011}}</ref> While such measures were seen as discriminatory and humiliating by Sikhs, they proved effective as Akali Dal could only organise small and scattered protests in Delhi. Consequently, many Sikhs who did not initially support Akalis and Bhindranwale began sympathising with the Akali Morcha.<ref name="JSChima" />

Following the conclusion of the Games, Longowal organised a convention of Sikh veterans at the [[Golden Temple|Darbar Sahib]]. It was attended by a large number of Sikh ex-servicemen, including {{Abbr|retd.|retired}} [[General (India)|Major General]] [[Shabeg Singh]] who subsequently became Bhindranwale's military advisor.<ref name="JSChima" />

== 1984 ==

===Increasing militant activity===
Widespread murders by followers of Bhindranwale occurred in 1980s' Punjab. Armed Khalistani militants of this period described themselves as ''[[kharku]].''<ref name="Kharku">{{citation|last1=Stepan|first1=Alfred|first2=Juan J.|last2=Linz|first3=Yogendra|last3=Yadav|title=Crafting State-Nations: India and Other Multinational Democracies|date=2011|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kGUuOdeCiXQC&q=Kharku&pg=PA97|page=97|edition=Illustrated|publisher=JHU Press|isbn=978-0-8018-9723-8|access-date=5 October 2020|archive-date=30 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072140/https://books.google.com/books?id=kGUuOdeCiXQC&q=Kharku&pg=PA97|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1984, there were 775 violent incidents, resulting in 298 people killed and 525 injured, during a six month period alone.<ref name="Ghosh">Ghosh, Srikanta. 1997. ''Indian Democracy Derailed – Politics and Politicians.'' APH Publishing. {{ISBN|978-81-7024-866-8}}. p. 95.</ref>

Though it was common knowledge that those responsible for such bombings and murders were taking shelter in [[gurdwara]]s, the [[Indian National Congress|INC]] [[Government of India]] declared that it could not enter these places of worship, for the fear of hurting Sikh sentiments.<ref name="Akshay1991" /> Even as detailed reports on the open shipping of arms-laden trucks were sent to [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Indira Gandhi]], the Government choose not to take action.<ref name="Akshay1991" /> Finally, following the murder of six Hindu bus passengers in October 1983, emergency rule was imposed in Punjab, which would continue for more than a decade.<ref name="GusMartin2011">Sisson, Mary. 2011. "Sikh Terrorism." pp. 544–545 in ''The Sage Encyclopedia of Terrorism'' (2nd ed.), edited by G. Martin. Thousand Oaks, CA: [[SAGE Publishing|Sage Publications]]. {{ISBN|978-1-4129-8016-6}}. {{doi|10.4135/9781412980173.n368}}.</ref>

=== Constitutional issues ===
The Akali Dal began more agitation in February 1984, protesting against Article 25, clause (2)(b), of the [[Constitution of India|Indian Constitution]], which ambiguously explains that "the reference to Hindus shall be construed as including a reference to persons professing the Sikh, [[Jainism|Jaina]], or [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] religion," while also implicitly recognising Sikhism as a separate religion: "the wearing and carrying of [[Kirpan|kripans]] [''[[sic]]''] shall be deemed to be included in the profession of the Sikh religion."<ref name=":3">Sharma, Mool Chand, and A.K. Sharma, eds. 2004. "[https://nhrc.nic.in/sites/default/files/discriminationsexcastereligion.pdf#page=122 Discrimination Based on Religion] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024145050/https://nhrc.nic.in/sites/default/files/discriminationsexcastereligion.pdf#page=122 |date=24 October 2020 }}." pp. 108–110 in ''Discrimination Based on Sex, Caste, Religion, and Disability''. New Delhi: [[National Council for Teacher Education]]. [https://web.archive.org/web/20100602202700/http://nhrc.nic.in/Publications/documents/chapter5.htm Archived] from the original on 2 June 2010. Retrieved 17 May 2020.</ref>{{Rp|109}} Even today, this clause is deemed offensive by many religious minorities in India due to its failure to recognise such religions separately under the constitution.<ref name=":3" />

Members of the Akali Dal demanded that the removal of any ambiguity in the Constitution that refers to Sikhs as Hindu, as such prompts various concerns for the Sikh population, both in principle and in practice. For instance, a Sikh couple who would marry in accordance to the [[Anand Karaj|rites of their religion]] would have to register their union either under the ''[[Special Marriage Act, 1954]]'' or the ''[[The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955|Hindu Marriage Act, 1955]]''. The Akalis demanded replacement of such rules with laws specific to [[Sikhism]].

=== Operation Blue Star ===

[[Operation Blue Star]] was an Indian military operation ordered by [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]] [[Indira Gandhi]], between 1 and 8 June 1984, to remove militant religious leader [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]] and his armed followers from the buildings of the [[Golden Temple|Harmandir Sahib]] complex (aka the Golden Temple) in [[Amritsar]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]]{{snd}}the most sacred site in Sikhism.<ref name="TH_Mi6">{{cite news |title=RAW chief consulted MI6 in build-up to Operation Bluestar |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/raw-chief-consulted-mi6-in-buildup-to-operation-bluestar/article5579516.ece |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date=16 January 2014 |location=Chennai, India |first=Praveen |last=Swami |access-date=9 August 2018 |archive-date=18 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140118044721/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/raw-chief-consulted-mi6-in-buildup-to-operation-bluestar/article5579516.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 1983, [[Shiromani Akali Dal|Akali Dal]] President [[Harchand Singh Longowal]] had invited Bhindranwale to take up residence at the sacred temple complex,<ref>Singh, Khushwant. 2004. ''A History of the Sikhs, Volume II: 1839–2004''. New Delhi: [[Oxford University Press]]. p. 337.</ref> which the government would allege that Bhindranwale would later make into an [[arsenal|armoury]] and headquarters for his armed uprising.<ref>{{Cite journal |last = Subramanian |first = L. N. |date = 12 October 2006 |title=Operation Bluestar, 05 June 1984 |journal = Bharat Rakshak Monitor |volume = 3 |issue = 2 |url = http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/ARMY/history/siachen/283-Operation-Bluestar.html |access-date = 17 May 2020 |archive-date = 30 June 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200630015541/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/ARMY/history/siachen/283-Operation-Bluestar.html |url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="LA_accord">{{cite news|date=21 August 1985|title=Sikh Leader in Punjab Accord Assassinated|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|agency=Times Wire Services|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-08-21-mn-1021-story.html|access-date=9 August 2018|archive-date=29 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129025949/http://articles.latimes.com/1985-08-21/news/mn-1021_1_sikh-militants|url-status=live}}</ref>

Since the inception of the Dharam Yudh Morcha to the violent events leading up to Operation Blue Star, Khalistani militants had directly killed 165 [[Hindus]] and [[Nirankari]]s, as well as 39 Sikhs opposed to Bhindranwale, while a total of 410 were killed and 1,180 injured as a result of Khalistani violence and riots.<ref name="ms_casualty_terror">{{Cite book |last1 = Tully |first1 = Mark |author-link1 = Mark Tully |last2 = Jacob |first2 = Satish |date = 1985 |title = Amritsar: Mrs Gandhi's Last Battle |publisher = J. Cape |edition = 5 |page = 147 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=bxhuAAAAMAAJ&q=editions:drN_lbMXXJMC|language=en|access-date=14 January 2023|archive-date=30 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072209/https://books.google.com/books?id=bxhuAAAAMAAJ&q=editions:drN_lbMXXJMC|url-status=live |isbn = 978-0-22-402328-3}}</ref>

As negotiations held with Bhindranwale and his supporters proved unsuccessful, Indira Gandhi ordered the [[Indian Army]] to launch Operation Blue Star.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia
 |title =India
 |encyclopedia = Encyclopædia Britannica
 |editor-last = Wolpert
 |editor-first = Stanley A.
 |year = 2009 }}
</ref> Along with the Army, the operation would involve [[Central Reserve Police Force]], [[Border Security Force]], and [[Punjab Police (India)|Punjab Police]]. Army units led by [[Lieutenant general|Lt. Gen.]] [[Kuldip Singh Brar]] (a Sikh), surrounded the temple complex on 3 June 1984. Just before the commencement of the operation, Lt. Gen. Brar addressed the soldiers:<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |last1 = Gates |first1 = Scott |author-link = Scott Gates (academic) |last2 = Roy |first2 = Kaushik |date = 4 February 2014 |title = Unconventional Warfare in South Asia: Shadow Warriors and Counterinsurgency |chapter = Insurgency and Counter-Insurgency in Punjab |publisher = [[Ashgate Publishing]] |page = 167 |chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=VWN6BAAAQBAJ&pg=PA163 |access-date = 14 January 2023 |archive-date = 30 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072138/https://books.google.com/books?id=VWN6BAAAQBAJ&pg=PA163|url-status=live |isbn = 978-1-40-943706-2}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|text=The action is not against the Sikhs or the Sikh religion; it is against terrorism. If there is anyone amongst them, who have strong religious sentiments or other reservations, and do not wish to take part in the operation he can opt out, and it will not be held against him.|sign=Lieutenant General [[Kuldip Singh Brar]]|source=|title=}}

However, none of the soldiers opted out, including many "Sikh officers, junior commissioned officers and other ranks."<ref name=":4" /> Using a [[public address system]], the Army repeatedly demanded the militants to surrender, asking them to at least allow pilgrims to leave the temple premises before commencing battle.

Nothing happened until 7:00&nbsp;pm ([[Indian Standard Time|IST]]).<ref name="rediff_interview_limit">{{cite web|title=There is a limit to how much a country can take|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2004/jun/04inter1.htm|last=Diwanji|first=Amberish K.|date=4 June 2004|work=The Rediff Interview/Lieutenant General Kuldip Singh Brar (retired)|publisher=[[Rediff.com]]|access-date=26 December 2011|archive-date=3 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203125051/https://www.rediff.com/news/2004/jun/04inter1.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The Army, equipped with [[tank]]s and heavy [[artillery]], had grossly underestimated the firepower possessed by the militants, who attacked with [[Anti-tank warfare|anti-tank]] and [[Machine gun|machine-gun]] fire from the heavily fortified [[Akal Takht]], and who possessed Chinese-made, [[Rocket-propelled grenade|rocket-propelled grenade launchers]] with [[Armor-piercing shell|armour-piercing]] capabilities. After a 24-hour [[shootout]], the army finally wrested control of the temple complex.

Bhindranwale was killed in the operation, while many of his followers managed to escape. Army casualty figures counted 83 dead and 249 injured,<ref>{{Cite news |last = Walia |first = Varinder |date = 20 March 2007 |title = Army reveals startling facts on Bluestar, says Longowal surrendered |work = [[The Tribune (Chandigarh)|The Tribune]] |publication-place = Amristar |url = https://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070320/punjab1.htm |access-date=14 January 2023 |archive-date = 4 August 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200804165011/https://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070320/punjab1.htm |url-status = live}}</ref> although Rajiv Gandhi would later admit that over 700 Indian soldiers died.<ref name="Chima2008">{{cite book|author=Jugdep S Chima|title=The Sikh Separatist Insurgency in India: Political Leadership and Ethnonationalist Movements|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sxpBDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT114|date=2008|publisher=Sage Publishing India|isbn=978-93-5150-953-0|pages=114–|access-date=13 March 2023|archive-date=30 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072225/https://books.google.com/books?id=sxpBDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT114|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the official estimate presented by the Indian Government, the event resulted in a combined total of 493 militant and civilian casualties, as well as the apprehension of 1592 individuals.<ref name="WhitePaper1984">{{Cite book |date = 1984 |title = White Paper on the Punjab Agitation |publisher = Government of India Press |publication-place = New Delhi |page = 40 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=wqSAngEACAAJ&q=493 |access-date = 14 January 2023 |archive-date = 30 March 2023 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072248/https://books.google.com/books?id=wqSAngEACAAJ&q=493 |url-status = live |ol = 1839009M}}</ref> Independent estimates say over 5,000 civilians and only 200 militants were killed.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Karim |first1=Afsir |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QoqwQb38SQEC |title=Counter Terrorism, the Pakistan Factor |date=1991 |publisher=Lancer Publishers |isbn=978-81-7062-127-0 |pages=33–36 |access-date=13 March 2023 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072148/https://books.google.com/books?id=QoqwQb38SQEC |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs|UK Foreign Secretary]] [[William Hague]] attributed high civilian casualties to the Indian Government's attempt at a full frontal assault on the militants, diverging from the recommendations provided by the [[British Army|UK Military]].<ref group="lower-roman">Hague, William. 2014. "[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/alleged-uk-link-to-operation-at-sri-harmandir-sahib-amritsar-1984 Allegations of UK Involvement in the Indian Operation at Sri Harmandir Sahib, Amritsar 1984] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116061623/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/alleged-uk-link-to-operation-at-sri-harmandir-sahib-amritsar-1984 |date=16 January 2020 }}." ([[White paper|Policy paper]]). Available as a [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/277292/Cabinet_Secretary_report_to_PM_on_allegations_of_UK_involveme....pdf PDF] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304094158/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/277292/Cabinet_Secretary_report_to_PM_on_allegations_of_UK_involveme....pdf |date=4 March 2016 }}. Retrieved 17 May 2020.

"The FCO files (Annex E) record the Indian Intelligence Co-ordinator telling a UK interlocutor, in the same time-frame as this public Indian report, that some time after the UK military adviser's visit the Indian Army took over lead responsibility for the operation, the main concept behind the operation changed, and a frontal assault was attempted, which contributed to the large number of casualties on both sides."</ref><ref group="lower-roman">"[https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-26027631 Golden Temple attack: UK advised India but impact 'limited'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303173430/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-26027631 |date=3 March 2020 }}." [[BBC News]]. 7 June 2014. Retrieved 17 May 2020.

"The adviser suggested using an element of surprise, as well as helicopters, to try to keep casualty numbers low – features which were not part of the final operation, Mr Hague said."</ref> Opponents of Gandhi also criticised the operation for its excessive use of force. Lieutenant General Brar later stated that the Government had "no other recourse" due to a "complete breakdown" of the situation: state machinery was under the militants' control, declaration of Khalistan was imminent, and [[Pakistan]] would have come into the picture declaring its support for Khalistan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2004/jun/03inter.htm |title=Pakistan would have recognised Khalistan |work=Rediff.com |date=3 June 2004 |access-date=20 June 2006 |archive-date=29 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090129052453/http://www.rediff.com/news/2004/jun/03inter.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Nonetheless, the operation did not crush Khalistani militancy, as it continued.{{sfnp|Fair, Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies|2005|p=128}}

According to the [[Mitrokhin Archive]], in 1982 the Soviets used a recruit in the New Delhi residency named "Agent S" who was close to Indira Gandhi as a major channel for providing her disinformation regarding Khalistan. Agent S provided Indira Gandhi with false documents purporting to show Pakistani involvement to create religious disturbances and allegedly initiate a Khalistan conspiracy. After [[Rajiv Gandhi]]'s visit to Moscow in 1983, the Soviets persuaded him that the US was engaged in secret support for the Sikhs. By 1984, according to Mitrokhin, the disinformation the Soviets provided had influenced Indira Gandhi to pursue Operation Blue Star.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Andrew |first1=Christopher M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QoclAQAAMAAJ |title=The Mitrokhin Archive II: The KGB and the World |last2=Mitrokhin |first2=Vasili |date=2005 |publisher=Allen Lane |isbn=978-0-7139-9359-2 |pages=336 |language=en |access-date=30 September 2022 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072147/https://books.google.com/books?id=QoclAQAAMAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Andrew |first=Christopher |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nn2oJQAACAAJ |title=The World Was Going Our Way: The KGB and the Battle for the Third World |date=2008 |publisher=DIANE Publishing Company |isbn=978-1-4223-9312-3 |language=en |access-date=30 September 2022 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072134/https://books.google.com/books?id=nn2oJQAACAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Swamy19922">{{cite book |author=Subramanian Swamy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wQBIAAAAMAAJ |title=Building a New India: An Agenda for National Renaissance |publisher=UBS Publishers' Distributors |year=1992 |isbn=978-81-85674-21-6 |page=18 |quote=The 1984 Operation Bluestar became necessary because of the vast disinformation against Sant Bhindranwale by the KGB, and repeated inside Parliament by the Congress Party of India. |access-date=6 September 2022 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072222/https://books.google.com/books?id=wQBIAAAAMAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Assassination of Indira Gandhi and anti-Sikh riots ===
{{Main|Indira Gandhi assassination}}
[[File:Indira Gandhi 1977.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Indira Gandhi]]]]

On the morning of 31 October 1984, [[Indira Gandhi]] was assassinated in [[New Delhi]] by her two personal security guards [[Satwant Singh]] and [[Beant Singh (assassin)|Beant Singh]], both Sikhs, in retaliation for [[Operation Blue Star]].{{sfnp|Fair, Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies|2005|p=128}} The assassination triggered the [[1984 anti-Sikh riots]] across [[North India]]. While the ruling party, [[Indian National Congress]] (INC), maintained that the violence was due to spontaneous riots, its critics have alleged that INC members themselves had planned a [[pogrom]] against the Sikhs.<ref name="JohnMichael2000">Guidry, John A., Michael D. Kennedy, and Mayer N. Zald, eds. 2000. Globalizations and Social Movements: Culture, Power, and the Transnational Public Sphere. Ann Arbor: [[University of Michigan Press]]. {{ISBN|978-0-472-06721-3}}. p. 319.</ref>

The [[Nanavati Commission]], a special commission created to investigate the riots, concluded that INC leaders (including [[Jagdish Tytler]], [[H. K. L. Bhagat]], and [[Sajjan Kumar]]) had directly or indirectly taken a role in the rioting incidents.<ref>[[G. T. Nanavati|Nanavati, G. T.]] 9 February 2005. "[https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/Nanavati-I_eng_3.pdf Report of the Justice Nanavati Commission of Inquiry (1984 Anti-Sikh Riots)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203231408/https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/Nanavati-I_eng_3.pdf |date=3 February 2021 }}" 1. New Delhi: [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]]. [https://web.archive.org/web/20141127130507/http://www.mha.nic.in/hindi/sites/upload_files/mhahindi/files/pdf/Nanavati-I_eng.pdf Archived] from the original 27 November 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2020.

Also available via [https://ruralindiaonline.org/library/resource/report-of-the-justice-nanavati-commission-of-inquiry-1984-anti-sikh-riots-volumes-i-and-ii/ People's Archive of Rural India] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200507133202/https://ruralindiaonline.org/library/resource/report-of-the-justice-nanavati-commission-of-inquiry-1984-anti-sikh-riots-volumes-i-and-ii/ |date=7 May 2020 }}.</ref><ref name="tehelka_fish">{{cite news|date=25 August 2005|title=What about the big fish?|work=Tehelka|publisher=Anant Media|url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main13.asp?filename=Ne082005_What_about.asp|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913061657/http://www.tehelka.com/story_main13.asp?filename=Ne082005_What_about.asp|archive-date=13 September 2012}}</ref> [[Union Council of Ministers|Union Minister]] [[Kamal Nath]] was accused of leading riots near [[Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib|Rakab Ganj]], but was cleared due to lack of evidence.<ref name="tehelka_fish" /> Other political parties strongly condemned the riots.<ref>Singh, Swadesh Bahadur. 31 May 1996. "Cabinet berth for a Sikh." ''[[The Indian Express|Indian Express]].''</ref> Two major civil-liberties organisations issued a joint report on the anti-Sikh riots, naming 16 significant politicians, 13 police officers, and 198 others, accused by survivors and eyewitnesses.<ref>Kumar, Ram Narayan, et al. 2003. ''[[Reduced to Ashes (book)|Reduced to Ashes: The Insurgency and Human Rights in Punjab]]''. [[South Asia Forum for Human Rights]]. p. 43.

[https://web.archive.org/web/20060705030307/http://www.punjabjustice.org/report/report.htm Available] via Committee for Information and Initiative on Punjab.</ref>

== 1985 to present day ==

=== 1985 ===

====Rajiv-Longowal Accord====
{{main|Punjab accord}}
{{More citations needed section|talk=Rajiv-Longowal_Accord_missing_citations|date=September 2019}}<!-- There are claims below related to Khalistan, which are not made in main article -->

Many Sikh and Hindu groups, as well as organisations not affiliated to any religion, have attempted to establish peace between the Khalistan proponents and the Government of India.{{Citation needed|date=September 2019}} Akalis continued to witness radicalisation of Sikh politics, fearing disastrous consequences.<ref name=":1" /> In response, President [[Harchand Singh Longowal]] reinstated the head of the Akali Dal and pushed for a peace initiative that reiterated the importance of Hindu-Sikh amity, condemning Sikh extremist violence, therefore declaring that the Akali Dal was not in favour of Khalistan.

In 1985, the [[Government of India]] attempted to seek a political solution to the grievances of the Sikhs through the [[Rajiv-Longowal Accord]], which took place between Longowal and Prime Minister [[Rajiv Gandhi]]. The Accord{{snd}}recognising the religious, territorial, and economic demands of the Sikhs that were thought to be non-negotiable under Indira Gandhi's tenure{{snd}}agreed to establish commissions and independent tribunals in order to resolve the Chandigarh issue and the river dispute, laying the basis for Akali Dal's victory in the coming elections.<ref name=":1" />

Though providing a basis for a return to normality, Chandigarh evidently remained an issue and the agreement was denounced by Sikh militants who refused to give up the demand for an independent Khalistan. These extremists, who were left unappeased, reacted by assassinating Longowal.<ref name="LA_accord" /> Such behaviour lead to the dismissal of negotiations, whereby both Congress and the Akali parties accused each other of aiding terrorism.<ref name=":1" />

The Indian Government pointed to the involvement of a "foreign hand," referring to Pakistan's abetting of the movement. Punjab noted to the Indian Government that militants were able to obtain sophisticated arms through sources outside the country and by developing links with sources within the country.<ref name=":1" /> As such, the Government believed that large illegal flows of arms were flowing through the borders of India, with Pakistan being responsible for trafficking arms. India claimed that Pakistan provided sanctuary, arms, money, and moral support to the militants, though most of the accusations were based on circumstantial evidence.<ref name=":1" />

====Air India Flight 182====
[[File:Irish Naval Service recovering bodies from the Air India Flight 182 disaster.jpg|thumb|Irish Naval Service recovering bodies from the Air India Flight 182 bombing]]
[[File:1985-06-10 VT-EFO Air India EGLL.jpg|thumb|The aircraft involved, VT-EFO, seen on 10 June 1985, less than two weeks before the bombing of [[Air India Flight 182]]]]
[[Air India Flight 182]] was an [[Air India]] flight operating on the [[Montreal|Montréal]]-[[London]]-[[Delhi]]-[[Bombay]] route. On 23 June 1985, a [[Boeing 747]] operating on the route was blown up by a bomb mid-air off the coast of [[Ireland]]. A total of 329 people aboard were killed,<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/airindia/victims.html In Depth: Air India] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050318220743/http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/airindia/victims.html |date=18 March 2005 }} – The Victims, CBC News Online, 16 March 2005</ref> 268 Canadian citizens, 27 British citizens and 24 Indian citizens, including the flight crew. On the same day, an explosion due to a luggage bomb was linked to the terrorist operation and occurred at the [[Narita International Airport|Narita Airport]] in Tokyo, Japan, intended for Air India Flight 301, killing two baggage handlers. The entire event was inter-continental in scope, killing 331 people in total and affected five countries on different continents: [[Canada]], the [[United Kingdom]], [[India]], [[Japan]], and [[Ireland]].

The main suspects in the bombing were members of a [[Sikh]] separatist group called the [[Babbar Khalsa]], and other related groups who were at the time agitating for a separate Sikh state of Khalistan in [[Punjab, India]]. In September 2007, the Canadian Commission of Inquiry investigated reports, initially disclosed in the Indian investigative news magazine ''[[Tehelka]]'',<ref>{{cite web|title=Free. Fair. Fearless|url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main33.asp?filename=Ne040807operation_silence.asp|publisher=Tehelka|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912212106/http://www.tehelka.com/story_main33.asp?filename=Ne040807operation_silence.asp|archive-date=12 September 2012}}</ref> that a hitherto unnamed person, [[Lakhbir Singh Rode]], had masterminded the explosions. However, in conclusion two separate Canadian inquiries officially determined that the mastermind behind the terrorist operation was in fact the Canadian, [[Talwinder Singh Parmar]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=15 March 2018|title=Jagmeet Singh now rejects glorification of Air India bombing mastermind|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/jagmeet-singh-air-india-bombing-accepts-1.4578030|website=CBC News|access-date=4 August 2020|archive-date=2 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002032159/https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/jagmeet-singh-air-india-bombing-accepts-1.4578030|url-status=live}}</ref>

Several men were arrested and tried for the Air India bombing. Inderjit Singh Reyat, a [[Canadians|Canadian]] national and member of the [[International Sikh Youth Federation]] who pleaded guilty in 2003 to [[manslaughter]], was the only person convicted in the case.<ref name="ISYFlink" /><ref>{{cite news|last=Bolan|first=Kim|date=9 February 2008|title=Air India bombmaker sent to holding centre|newspaper=Ottawa Citizen|url=http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=9bfcf081-3b29-45ea-8bb3-ad82c051bcbb|url-status=live|access-date=31 May 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109171020/http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=9bfcf081-3b29-45ea-8bb3-ad82c051bcbb|archive-date=9 November 2012}}</ref> He was sentenced to fifteen years in prison for assembling the bombs that exploded on board Air India Flight 182 and at [[Narita International Airport|Narita Airport]].<ref>{{cite news|date=9 July 2008|title=Convicted Air India bomb-builder Inderjit Singh Reyat gets bail|publisher=CBC News|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/convicted-air-india-bomb-builder-inderjit-singh-reyat-gets-bail-1.732447|url-status=live|access-date=10 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080710234916/http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2008/07/09/bc-air-india-reyat-bail.html|archive-date=10 July 2008}}</ref>

=== Late 1980s ===
{{Main|Punjab insurgency}}
In 1986, when the insurgency was at its peak, the Golden Temple was again occupied by militants belonging to the [[All India Sikh Students Federation]] and [[Damdami Taksal]]. The militants called an assembly ([[Sarbat Khalsa]]) and, on 26 January, they passed a resolution (''gurmattā'') in favour of the creation of Khalistan.<ref>"Sikh Temple Sit-In Is a Challenge for Punjab." ''The New York Times.'' 2 February 1986.</ref> However, only the [[Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee]] (SGPC) had the authority to appoint the ''[[jathedar]]'', the supreme religio-temporal seat of the Sikhs. The militants thus dissolved the SGPC and appointed their own jathedar, who turned out to refuse their bidding as well. Militant leader [[Gurbachan Singh Manochahal]] thereby appointed himself by force.{{sfnp|Van Dyke, The Khalistan Movement|2009|p=990}}

On 29 April 1986, an assembly of separatist Sikhs at the [[Akal Takht]] made a declaration of an independent state of Khalistan,<ref>{{cite web|title=Sarbat Khalsa and Gurmata|url=http://www.sikhnet.com/news/sarbat-khalsa-and-gurmata|last=Singh|first=I.|website=SikhNet|date=10 July 2012|access-date=15 March 2013|archive-date=12 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130612091254/http://www.sikhnet.com/news/sarbat-khalsa-and-gurmata|url-status=live}}</ref> and a number of rebel militant groups in favour of Khalistan subsequently [[Insurgency in Punjab|waged a major insurgency]] against the [[Government of India]]. A decade of violence and conflict in Punjab would follow before a return to normality in the region. This period of insurgency saw clashes of Sikh militants with the police, as well as with the [[Nirankari]]s, a mystical Sikh sect who are less conservative in their aims to reform Sikhism.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nirankari.org/|title=Sant Nirankari Mission|website=nirankari.org|access-date=13 January 2023|archive-date=13 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113222644/https://www.nirankari.org/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Khalistani militant activities manifested in the form of [[List of terrorist incidents in Punjab (India)|several attacks]], such as the [[1987 Lalru bus massacre|1987 massacre of 32 Hindu bus passengers]] near [[Lalru]], and the [[1991 Punjab killings|1991 killing of 80 train passengers]] in [[Ludhiana]].<ref>"Gunmen Slaughter 32 on Bus in India in Bloodiest Attack of Sikh Campaign". [[The Philadelphia Inquirer]], 7 July 1987. Page A03.</ref> Such activities continued on into the 1990s as the perpetrators of the 1984 riots remained unpunished, while many Sikhs also felt that they were being discriminated against and that their religious rights were being suppressed.<ref name="nytenvoy">{{cite news|last=Gargan|first=Edward|date=10 October 1991|title=Envoy of Romania Abducted in India|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/10/world/envoy-of-romania-abducted-in-india.html|access-date=17 February 2017|archive-date=23 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023034904/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/10/world/envoy-of-romania-abducted-in-india.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the parliamentary elections of 1989, Sikh separatist representatives were victorious in 10 of Punjab's 13 national seats and had the most popular support.{{sfnp|Gurharpal Singh, Ethnic Conflict in India|2000|loc=Chapters 8 & 9}}{{request quotation|date=December 2018}} The Congress cancelled those elections and instead hosted a [[Khaki election]]. The separatists boycotted the poll. The voter turnout was 24%. The Congress won this election and used it to further its anti-separatist campaign. Most of the separatist leadership was wiped out and the moderates were suppressed by end of 1993.{{sfnp|Gurharpal Singh, Ethnic Conflict in India|2000|loc=Chapter 10}}{{request quotation|date=December 2018}}

=== 1990s ===
Indian security forces suppressed the insurgency in the early 1990s, while Sikh political groups such as the [[Khalsa Raj Party]] and [[Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar)|SAD (A)]] continued to pursue an independent Khalistan through non-violent means.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGASA200022003?open&of=ENG-IND |title=Amnesty International report on Punjab |publisher=Amnesty International |date=20 January 2003 |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20061203184445/http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGASA200022003?open&of=ENG-IND |archive-date = 3 December 2006}}</ref><ref name="tribuneindia2006">{{cite web |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060310/punjab1.htm#2 |title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Punjab |publisher=Tribuneindia.com |access-date=27 September 2015 |archive-date=5 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605221542/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060310/punjab1.htm#2 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/22588/38/ |title=SAD (A) to contest the coming SGPC elections on Khalistan issue: Mann |publisher=PunjabNewsline.com |date=14 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715132020/http://www.punjabnewsline.com/content/view/22588/38/ |archive-date=15 July 2011 }}</ref> Whereas to take iron from the terrorists in the village Bhikhiwind, district Tarn Taran 'Sandhu' family fought everyday like the last day and defeated terrorists several times. One such incident was on 30 September 1990, when about 200 terrorists attacked Balwinder Singh's house. In retaliation, the Sandhu family using weapons provided by state police killed several and compiled the rest of the terrorists to run away. The Family awarded the [[Shaurya Chakra]] to show most conspicuous bravery, indomitable courage.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Balwinder Singh Sandu|url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/balwinder-singh-sandhu|access-date=29 October 2020|website=Gallantry Awards|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031093504/https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/balwinder-singh-sandhu|url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 1991, [[Julio Ribeiro (Indian police officer)|Julio Ribeiro]], then-Indian Ambassador to [[Romania]], was attacked and wounded at [[Bucharest]] in an assassination attempt by gunmen identified as [[Punjab (India)|Punjabi]] Sikhs.<ref name="Latshot">{{cite news|date=21 August 1991|title=Gunmen Wound India Ambassador|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=http://articles.latimes.com/keyword/india-foreign-relations-romania|access-date=26 December 2011|archive-date=10 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010195745/http://articles.latimes.com/keyword/india-foreign-relations-romania|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="nytenvoy" /> Sikh groups also claimed responsibility for the 1991 kidnapping of Liviu Radu, the Romanian [[chargé d'affaires]] in New Delhi. This appeared to be in retaliation for Romanian arrests of [[Khalistan Liberation Force]] members suspected of the attempted assassination of Ribeiro.<ref name="nytenvoy" /><ref name="TIME">{{Cite magazine |date = 21 October 1991 |title = World Notes India |magazine = [[Time (magazine)|Time]] |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,974111,00.html|access-date=14 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930063744/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,974111,00.html |archive-date=30 September 2007 }}</ref> Radu was released unharmed after Sikh politicians criticised the action.<ref>{{cite news |date = 17 September 2003 |title = Secret Injustice: The Harpal Singh Case {{!}} Part 1: Flashback |work = The Sikh Sentinel |url = http://www.sikhsentinel.com/sikhsentinel0309/harpalsingh1.htm |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120308211709/http://www.sikhsentinel.com/sikhsentinel0309/harpalsingh1.htm |archive-date = 8 March 2012}}</ref>

In October 1991, the ''[[The New York Times|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" /> Scholar Ian Talbot states that all sides, including the Indian Army, police and the militants, committed crimes like murder, rape and torture.{{sfnp|Talbot, India and Pakistan|2000|p=272}}

From 24 January 1993 to 4 August 1993, Khalistan was a member of the [[NGO]] [[Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization]]. The membership was permanently suspended on 22 January 1995.<ref name="UNPO_yearbook_Khalistan">{{cite book|last1=Simmons|first1=Mary Kate|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rWB3Bv3vuyMC&q=Khalistan%20Unrepresented%20Nations%20and%20Peoples%20Organisation&pg=PA187|title=Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization: yearbook|publisher=Martinus Nijhoff Publishers|year=1998|isbn=978-90-411-0223-2|page=187|access-date=3 August 2018|archive-date=30 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072134/https://books.google.com/books?id=rWB3Bv3vuyMC&q=Khalistan%20Unrepresented%20Nations%20and%20Peoples%20Organisation&pg=PA187|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 31 August 1995, Chief Minister [[Beant Singh (chief minister)|Beant Singh]] was killed in a suicide bombing, for which the pro-Khalistan group [[Babbar Khalsa]] claimed responsibility. Security authorities, however, reported the group's involvement to be doubtful.<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 |access-date=31 May 2009 }}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> A 2006 press release by the [[Embassy of the United States, New Delhi|Embassy of the United States in New Delhi]] indicated that the responsible organisation was the [[Khalistan Commando Force]].<ref name="KCFconvict" />

While the militants enjoyed some support among Sikh separatists in the earlier period, this support gradually disappeared.<ref>Mahmood, Cynthia. 5 May 1997. "Fax to Ted Albers." Orono, Maine: Resource Information Center.</ref> The insurgency weakened the Punjab economy and led to an increase in violence in the state. With dwindling support and increasingly-effective Indian security troops eliminating anti-state combatants, Sikh militancy effectively ended by the early 1990s.<ref>Documentation, Information and Research Branch. 17 February 1997. "India: Information from four specialists on the Punjab, Response to Information Request #IND26376.EX." Ottawa: [[Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada]].</ref>

=== 2000s ===

==== Retribution ====
There have been serious charges levelled by human rights activists against Indian Security forces (headed by Sikh police officer, [[Kanwar Pal Singh Gill|K. P. S. Gill]]), claiming that thousands of suspects were killed in staged shootouts and thousands of bodies were cremated/disposed of without proper identification or post-mortems.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hrw.org/reports/2007/india1007/1.htm |title=Protecting the Killers: A Policy of Impunity in Punjab, India: I. Summary |publisher=Human Rights Watch |date=9 October 2006 |access-date=11 January 2010 |archive-date=12 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012184325/http://hrw.org/reports/2007/india1007/1.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[http://news.sbs.com.au/dateline/india__who_killed_the_sikhs_130052 Special Broadcasting Service:: Dateline – presented by George Negus<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828164401/http://news.sbs.com.au/dateline/india__who_killed_the_sikhs_130052 |date=28 August 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/09/09/stories/2005090903181100.htm |title=The Hindu: Opinion / News Analysis: Is justice possible without looking for the truth? |work=The Hindu |date=9 September 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080522062426/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/09/09/stories/2005090903181100.htm |archive-date=22 May 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amnestyusa.org/document.php?lang=e&id=F072BE8A8A0506C08025690000692C86 |title=India: A vital opportunity to end impunity in Punjab |publisher=Amnesty International USA |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625031306/http://www.amnestyusa.org/document.php?id=F072BE8A8A0506C08025690000692C86&lang=e |archive-date=25 June 2009 }}</ref> [[Human Rights Watch]] reported that, since 1984, government forces had resorted to widespread human rights violations to fight the militants, including: [[Arbitrary arrest and detention|arbitrary arrest]], [[Indefinite detention|prolonged detention without trial]], [[torture]], and [[summary execution]]s of civilians and suspected militants. Family members were frequently detained and tortured to reveal the whereabouts of relatives sought by the police.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hrw.org/reports/1992/WR92/ASW-07.htm |title=ASW |publisher=Human Rights Watch |year=1992 |access-date=11 January 2010 |archive-date=12 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012082133/http://www.hrw.org/reports/1992/WR92/ASW-07.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=18 October 2007|title=India: Time to Deliver Justice for Atrocities in Punjab|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2007/10/18/india-time-deliver-justice-atrocities-punjab|access-date=14 January 2023|publisher=Human Rights Watch|language=en|archive-date=13 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113222558/https://www.hrw.org/news/2007/10/18/india-time-deliver-justice-atrocities-punjab|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Amnesty International]] has alleged several cases of disappearances, torture, rape, and unlawful detentions by the police during the [[Punjab insurgency]], for which 75–100 police officers had been convicted by December 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/ASA20/002/2003/en/uvSEW2lMY-gJ |title=Document – India: Break the cycle of impunity and torture in Punjab &#124; Amnesty International |publisher=Amnesty International |year=2003 |access-date=11 January 2010 |archive-date=12 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612055224/http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/ASA20/002/2003/en/uvSEW2lMY-gJ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==== 2010s ====
Activities in the 2010s by Khalistani militants include the [[Tarn Taran Sahib|Tarn Taran]] blast, in which a police crackdown arrested 4 terrorists, one of whom revealed they were ordered by [[Sikhs for Justice]] to kill multiple Dera leaders in India.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/punjab-four-khalistan-zindabad-force-terrorists-arrested-in-taran-taran-1602155-2019-09-23|title=Punjab: Four Khalistan Zindabad Force terrorists arrested in Taran Taran|first=Manjeet|last=Sehgal|date=23 September 2019|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=27 December 2019|archive-date=15 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215193336/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/punjab-four-khalistan-zindabad-force-terrorists-arrested-in-taran-taran-1602155-2019-09-23|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/nia-demands-custody-of-4-in-tarn-taran-blast-case-872611|title=NIA demands custody of 4 in Tarn Taran blast case|website=Tribuneindia News Service|language=en|access-date=27 December 2019|archive-date=27 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227101954/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/nia-demands-custody-of-4-in-tarn-taran-blast-case-872611|url-status=live}}</ref> Pro-Khalistan organisations such as [[Dal Khalsa (International)|Dal Khalsa]] are also active outside India, supported by a section of the Sikh diaspora.<ref>{{cite news|last=Punj|first=Balbair|date=16 June 2005|title=The Ghost of Khalistan|newspaper=The Sikh Times|url=http://www.sikhtimes.com/news_061605a.html|access-date=23 January 2007|archive-date=4 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204053015/http://www.sikhtimes.com/news_061605a.html|url-status=live}}</ref> As of 25 December, there also have been inputs by multiple agencies about a possible attack in Punjab by Babbar Khalsa and [[Khalistan Zindabad Force]], according to Indian Media sources, are allegedly in contact with their Pakistani handlers and are trying to smuggle arms across the border.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-terror-attacks-in-punjab-being-planned-by-pro-khalistan-outfits-with-pak-s-support-intelligence-sources-2806891|title=Terror attacks in Punjab being planned by pro-Khalistan outfits with Pak's support: Intelligence sources|date=26 December 2019|website=DNA India|language=en|access-date=27 December 2019|archive-date=27 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227101955/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-terror-attacks-in-punjab-being-planned-by-pro-khalistan-outfits-with-pak-s-support-intelligence-sources-2806891|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oneindia.com/india/high-alert-declared-after-ib-picks-up-intercepts-on-possible-terror-attack-in-punjab-3003706.html|title=High alert declared after IB picks up intercepts on possible terror attack in Punjab|last=Nanjappa|first=Vicky|date=26 December 2019|website=Oneindia|language=en|access-date=27 December 2019|archive-date=27 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227101956/https://www.oneindia.com/india/high-alert-declared-after-ib-picks-up-intercepts-on-possible-terror-attack-in-punjab-3003706.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2015, a congregation of the Sikh community (i.e. a [[Sarbat Khalsa]]) was called in response to recent unrest in the Punjab region. The Sarbat Khalsa adopted 13 resolutions to strengthen Sikh institutions and traditions. The 12th resolution reaffirmed the resolutions adopted by the Sarbat Khalsa in 1986, including the declaration of the sovereign state of Khalistan.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Official Resolutions From Sarbat Khalsa 2015|url=https://www.sikh24.com/2015/11/11/official-resolutions-from-sarbat-khalsa-2015/|website=Sikh24.com|date=11 November 2015|access-date=12 November 2015|archive-date=12 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151112204950/http://www.sikh24.com/2015/11/11/official-resolutions-from-sarbat-khalsa-2015/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Moreover, signs in favour of Khalistan were raised when SAD (Amritsar) President Simranjeet Singh Mann met with [[Surat Singh Khalsa]], who was admitted to [[Dayanand Medical College & Hospital]] (DMCH). While Mann was arguing with ACP Satish Malhotra, supporters standing at the main gate of DMCH raised Khalistan signs in the presence of heavy police force. After a confrontation with the police authorities that lasted about 15–20 minutes, Mann was allowed to meet Khalsa along with ADCP Paramjeet Singh Pannu.<ref>{{cite web|title=Khalistan slogans raised as Mann comes to meet Khalsa|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/punjab-and-haryana/khalistan-slogans-raised-as-mann-comes-to-meet-khalsa/|date=25 July 2015|website=The Indian Express|access-date=14 August 2015|archive-date=27 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150827103746/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/punjab-and-haryana/khalistan-slogans-raised-as-mann-comes-to-meet-khalsa/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Maintaining persistent connection their culture and religion, the Sikh diaspora outside India is seen increasingly supporting the movement by means of financial support, propaganda and political lobbying in the countries they reside and taking a prominent role in driving the movement. Emboldened by expansive political and financial ties, the Diaspora has used gurudwaras, among other available establishments as such, to disperse financial and diplomatic aid to the movement in Punjab and modern communication modes such as the internet and social media to rally support for it.<ref name="stsfor.org">{{cite web |title=Probable Resurgence of the Khalistan Movement: Role of the Sikh Diaspora – Science, Technology and Security forum |url=http://stsfor.org/content/probable-resurgence-khalistan-movement-role-sikh-diaspora |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016211428/http://stsfor.org/content/probable-resurgence-khalistan-movement-role-sikh-diaspora |archive-date=16 October 2015 |access-date=2 April 2023 |website=stsfor.org }}</ref>

Recently, many signs have been raised in several places in support of the Khalistan movement, although the [[Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada]] (IRB) reports that Sikhs who support Khalistan may themselves be detained and tortured.<ref>{{cite web|title=Responses to Information Requests|url=https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/country-information/rir/Pages/index.aspx?doc=455887&pls=1|date=5 June 2018|website=irb-cisr.gc.ca|language=en|access-date=14 August 2019|archive-date=14 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814162713/https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/country-information/rir/Pages/index.aspx%3Fdoc%3D455887%26pls%3D1|url-status=live}}</ref> Notably, on the 31st anniversary of [[Operation Bluestar]], pro-Khalistan signs were raised in Punjab, resulting in 25 Sikh youths being detained by police.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pro-Khalistan slogans raised on Bluestar anniversary in Punjab|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/481914/pro-khalistan-slogans-raised-bluestar.html|date=6 June 2015|website=Deccan Herald|access-date=14 August 2015|archive-date=25 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725013858/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/481914/pro-khalistan-slogans-raised-bluestar.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Pro-Khalistan signs were also raised during a function of [[List of chief ministers of Punjab, India|Punjabi Chief Minister]] [[Parkash Singh Badal]]. Two members of SAD-A, identified as Sarup Singh Sandha and Rajindr Singh Channa, raised pro-Khalistan and anti-Badal signs during the chief minister's speech.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pro-Khalistan slogans raised during Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal's function|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/punjab-and-haryana/pro-khalistan-slogans-raised-during-punjab-cm-parkash-singh-badals-function/|date=26 July 2015|website=The Indian Express|access-date=14 August 2015|archive-date=29 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150829094227/http://indianexpress.com/article/india/punjab-and-haryana/pro-khalistan-slogans-raised-during-punjab-cm-parkash-singh-badals-function/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In retrospect, the Khalistan movement has failed to reach its objectives in India due to several reasons:
* Heavy Police crackdown on the separatists under the leadership of [[Punjab Police (India)|Punjab Police]] chief [[KPS Gill]].<ref name="HT_New2018" /> Several militant leaders were killed and others surrendered and rehabilitated.{{sfnp|Van Dyke, The Khalistan Movement|2009|p=990}}
* Gill credits the decline to change in the policies by adding provision for an adequate number of police and security forces to deal with the militancy. The clear political will from the government without any interference.{{sfnp|Van Dyke, The Khalistan Movement|2009|p=990}}
* Lack of a clear political concept of 'Khalistan' even to the extremist supporters. As per Kumar (1997), the name which was wishful thinking only represented their revulsion against the Indian establishment and did not find any alternative to it.<ref name="Kumar_book">{{citation|last=Kumar|first=Ram Narayan|title=The Sikh unrest and the Indian state: politics, personalities, and historical retrospective|year=1997|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WD9uAAAAMAAJ|publisher=Ajanta|isbn=978-81-202-0453-9}} quoted in [http://www.rediff.com/news/feb/22sikh.htm Rediff On the Net] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815170823/http://www.rediff.com/news/feb/22sikh.htm |date=15 August 2018 }}</ref>
* In the later stages of the movement, militants lacked an ideological motivation.{{sfnp|Van Dyke, The Khalistan Movement|2009|p=990}}
* The entry of criminals and government loyalists into its ranks further divided the groups.{{sfnp|Van Dyke, The Khalistan Movement|2009|p=990}}
* Loss of sympathy and support from the Sikh population of Punjab.{{sfnp|Van Dyke, The Khalistan Movement|2009|p=990}}
* The divisions among the Sikhs also undermined this movement. According to Pettigrew non-[[Jat people|Jat]] urban Sikhs did not want to live in a country of "Jatistan."{{sfnp|Pettigrew, The Sikhs of the Punjab|1995|pp=188–197}}{{sfnp|Van Dyke, The Khalistan Movement|2009|p=992}} Further division was caused as the people in the region traditionally preferred police and military service as career options. The [[Punjab Police (India)|Punjab Police]] had a majority of [[Jat Sikh]]s and the conflict was referred as ''"Jat against Jat"'' by Police Chief Gill.{{sfnp|Van Dyke, The Khalistan Movement|2009|p=990}}
* Moderate factions of Akali Dal led by [[Parkash Singh Badal|Prakash Singh Badal]] reclaimed the political positions in the state through all three assembly (namely parliamentary) and [[Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee|SGPC]] elections. The dominance of traditional political parties was reasserted over the militant-associated factions.{{sfnp|Van Dyke, The Khalistan Movement|2009|p=991}}
* The increased vigilance by security forces in the region against rise of separatist elements.<ref name="HT_Period">{{cite news|date=19 March 2016|title=No chance of another Khalistan movement in Punjab: Defence experts|newspaper=Hindustan Times|agency=ANI|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/no-chance-of-another-khalistan-movement-in-punjab-defence-experts/story-o9MSyS8jNS79kQo9cNIGHP.html|access-date=5 May 2018|archive-date=6 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506103911/https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/no-chance-of-another-khalistan-movement-in-punjab-defence-experts/story-o9MSyS8jNS79kQo9cNIGHP.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* The confidence building measures adopted by the Sikh community helped in rooting out the Khalistan movement.<ref name="HT_Period" />

Simrat Dhillon (2007), writing for the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies, 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|title=The Sikh Diaspora and the Quest for Khalistan: A Search for Statehood or for Self-preservation?|url=http://www.ipcs.org/issue_briefs/issue_brief_pdf/1787132181IPCS-ResearchPaper12-SimratDhillon.pdf|last=Dhillon|first=Simrat|date=December 2007|publisher=Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies|access-date=26 May 2009|archive-date=17 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190817012224/http://www.ipcs.org/issue_briefs/issue_brief_pdf/1787132181IPCS-ResearchPaper12-SimratDhillon.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== 2020s ====
{{see also|Khalistan Referendum}}
In 2021, the secessionist group, [[Sikhs for Justice]] (SFJ), began an unofficial, non binding, ongoing "referendum" regarding the potential creation of a Khalistan state which would include the entire states of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, and several districts of other Indian states. Numerous referendum votes have been held in various locations including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Italy, England, and the United States. Hundreds of thousands of Sikhs have partaken in these votes according to various news reports.

During a Khalistan referendum vote held in [[Melbourne|Melbourne, Australia]] in January 2023, two separate brawls broke out between Khalistan supporters and pro-India demonstrators, leading to two people being injured and two Sikh men being arrested. [[Victoria Police]] issued statements afterwards: “During the fight, flag poles were used by several men as weapons which caused physical injuries to multiple victims in which two victims were treated at the scene by paramedics” and “As a result of each incident a 34-year-old man and a 39-year-old man were arrested, and each issued with a penalty notice for riotous behaviour.” Australia's High Commissioner to India [[Barry O'Farrell]] condemned the incident.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Anand |first=Nisha |title=Australian police releases pics of 6 men involved in Khalistan referendum brawl |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/australian-police-releases-pics-of-6-men-involved-in-khalistan-referendum-brawl-101679310384539.html |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=30 January 2023 |title=Brawl breaks out over Khalistan referendum in Australia; India raises concerns with authorities |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/brawl-khalistan-referendum-australia-india-8412876/ |access-date=13 October 2024 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title='Appalled': Australian envoy on attack by Khalistan elements on pro-India groups |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/appalled-australian-envoy-on-attack-by-khalistan-elements-on-pro-india-groups-101675090248789.html |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref>

In February 2022, Deepak Punj, a Brampton radio host and a vocal critic of the Khalistan movement, was assaulted by three belligerent men who warned him "against speaking about [[Deep Sidhu]] and Khalistan". In a statement to ''The Globe and Mail,'' Punj claimed "one of them pulled a gun on me, and the other hit me on the head with a beer bottle". Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown condemned the attack, stating "no one in the media should face violence or intimidation." Peel Police subsequently launched an investigation.<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 February 2022 |title=Police investigating attack on Brampton radio host after remarks on Punjabi actor |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-police-investigating-attack-on-brampton-radio-host-after-remarks-on/ |access-date=12 October 2024 |work=The Globe and Mail |language=en-CA |quote=He told police he was approached near his Brampton studio Wednesday afternoon by three men who were shouting support for Mr. Sidhu, who was also a Sikh activist. “One of them pulled a gun on me, and the other hit me on the head with a beer bottle,” he told The Globe and Mail.}}</ref>

In August 2022, Amritpal Singh, a self styled radical{{refn|<ref>{{cite news |title='Bhindranwale 2.0': Radical Khalistan Sympathiser Amritpal Singh Active in Punjab |newspaper=NDTV News |url=https://www.ndtv.com/people/bhindranwale-2-0-radical-preacher-and-khalistan-sympathiser-amritpal-singh-very-active-in-punjab-3810442 |quote=Often escorted by armed supporters and donning a flowing white 'chola' and a navy-blue turban, radical preacher and Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh has been very active for some time in Punjab. |access-date=24 February 2023 |archive-date=24 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224152453/https://www.ndtv.com/people/bhindranwale-2-0-radical-preacher-and-khalistan-sympathiser-amritpal-singh-very-active-in-punjab-3810442 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Print Feb 2023">{{cite news |last=Sethi |first=Chitleen K. |date=23 February 2023 |title=Radical activist Amritpal storms Ajnala police station with supporters, secures aide's release |url=https://theprint.in/india/radical-activist-amritpal-storms-ajnala-police-station-with-supporters-secures-aides-release/1394086/ |newspaper=ThePrint |access-date=24 February 2023 |archive-date=24 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224154325/https://theprint.in/india/radical-activist-amritpal-storms-ajnala-police-station-with-supporters-secures-aides-release/1394086/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Radical preacher Amritpal Singh issue: Habeas corpus petition moved in HC seeking his 'release' |newspaper=The Financial Express |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/radical-preacher-amritpal-singh-issue-habeas-corpus-petition-moved-in-hc-seeking-his-release/3015120/ |access-date=19 March 2023 |archive-date=19 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319175249/https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/radical-preacher-amritpal-singh-issue-habeas-corpus-petition-moved-in-hc-seeking-his-release/3015120/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}} Indian preacher, came to prominence after being appointed as the head of [[Waris Punjab De]] (a Sikh political organisation which lent support to pro-Khalistan figures and groups) immediately after Deep Sidhu's death (a succession described as illegitimate by the relatives and some associates of Sidhu).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Deep Sidhu disliked Amritpal Singh, blocked his phone |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/deep-sidhu-disliked-amritpal-blocked-his-phone-439160 |website=Tribune India |access-date=4 July 2023 |archive-date=10 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210053836/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/deep-sidhu-disliked-amritpal-blocked-his-phone-439160 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Matharu |first=Sonal |date=25 October 2022 |title=Fiery orator, 'Bhindranwale 2.0' – who's Amritpal Singh, new 'head' of Deep Sidhu's Waris Punjab De |url=https://theprint.in/india/fiery-orator-bhindranwale-2-0-whos-amritpal-singh-new-head-of-deep-sidhus-waris-punjab-de/1180939/ |access-date=4 July 2023 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US |archive-date=16 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116122122/https://theprint.in/india/fiery-orator-bhindranwale-2-0-whos-amritpal-singh-new-head-of-deep-sidhus-waris-punjab-de/1180939/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The rise and fall of Amritpal Singh |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/the-rise-and-fall-of-fugitive-khalistan-sympathiser-amritpal-singh-489705 |website=Tribune India |access-date=4 July 2023 |archive-date=20 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320223804/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/the-rise-and-fall-of-fugitive-khalistan-sympathiser-amritpal-singh-489705 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=24 February 2023 |title=Unaware how Amritpal Singh declared himself head of 'Waris Punjab De', says Deep Sidhu's kin |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/unaware-how-amritpal-singh-declared-himself-head-of-waris-punjab-de-says-deep-sidhus-kin/2992029/ |access-date=4 July 2023 |website=Financialexpress |language=en |archive-date=19 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319194109/https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/unaware-how-amritpal-singh-declared-himself-head-of-waris-punjab-de-says-deep-sidhus-kin/2992029/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He subsequently embarked on a campaign and numerous preaching tours advocating for the creation of Khalistan and for Sikhs to receive baptism, imbibe religious austerities, and to shun drugs and other vices.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Amritpal Singh: Amrit Sanchar to focus on 'de-addiction' of youth |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/amrit-sanchar-to-focus-on-de-addiction-of-youth-445952 |website=Tribune India |access-date=4 July 2023 |archive-date=16 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116122120/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/amrit-sanchar-to-focus-on-de-addiction-of-youth-445952 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=24 February 2023 |title='Khalistan shouldn't be seen as…': Amritpal Singh as Toofan to be freed today |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/khalistan-shouldn-t-be-seen-as-amritpal-singh-as-lovepreet-singh-set-to-be-released-today-101677225024364.html |access-date=4 July 2023 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=24 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224155044/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/khalistan-shouldn-t-be-seen-as-amritpal-singh-as-lovepreet-singh-set-to-be-released-today-101677225024364.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He glorified the use of violence and weapons during public events.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 February 2023 |title=Amritpal Singh {{!}} A radical preacher |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/amritpal-singh-a-radical-preacher/article66553973.ece |access-date=4 July 2023 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=31 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331022923/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/amritpal-singh-a-radical-preacher/article66553973.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> On 18 March 2023, Indian authorities initiated a crackdown on Waris Punjab De, alleging the organisation's involvement in attempted murder, attacks on police personnel, and spreading disharmony in Punjab.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mogul |first=Rhea |date=22 March 2023 |title=Khalistan: The outlawed Sikh separatist movement that has Indian authorities on edge |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/22/india/india-separatist-khalistan-movement-explainer-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=4 July 2023 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=23 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323000018/https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/22/india/india-separatist-khalistan-movement-explainer-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> An extensive manhunt for Singh ensued, who absconded and managed to evade police capture for 35 days. He was arrested on 23 April 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 April 2023 |title='Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh arrested from Punjab's Moga under NSA; shifted to Assam's Dibrugarh jail |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/amritpal-singh-waris-punjab-de-punjab-arrested/article66769442.ece |access-date=4 July 2023 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=23 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423073440/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/amritpal-singh-waris-punjab-de-punjab-arrested/article66769442.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>

Numerous protests, particularly among diaspora Sikhs, occurred in the aftermath of the Indian police's manhunt for Singh. While many transpired without incident, numerous violent attacks were reported in various locations. A mob of protesters attacked the Indian consulate in [[San Francisco]], another mob attacked the [[Indian High Commission in London|Indian High Commission]] office in [[London]] and attempted to pull down the [[Indian flag]] off a pole, broke windows, and inflicted minor injuries on security staff.<ref>{{cite news |date=20 March 2023 |title=Watch: Sikhs attack Indian consulate in San Francisco, raise Khalistani flag to protest against crackdown on Amritpal Singh |newspaper=Free Press Journal |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/watch-sikhs-attack-indian-consulate-in-san-francisco-raise-khalistani-flag-to-protest-against-crackdown-on-amritpal-singh |url-status=live |access-date=21 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321101735/https://www.freepressjournal.in/world/watch-sikhs-attack-indian-consulate-in-san-francisco-raise-khalistani-flag-to-protest-against-crackdown-on-amritpal-singh |archive-date=21 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |author1=Simon Little |author2=Julie Nolin |title=Journalist allegedly assaulted as Punjab tensions spill over into B.C. |newspaper=Global News |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9565072/surrey-protest-assault-punjab-crackdown/ |url-status=live |access-date=21 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321101735/https://globalnews.ca/news/9565072/surrey-protest-assault-punjab-crackdown/ |archive-date=21 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=20 March 2023 |title=Indian High Commission: Diplomat summoned after London protest |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-65010388 |access-date=25 June 2023 |archive-date=25 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625023001/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-65010388 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[National Investigation Agency|NIA]] claimed that a group of protesters in San Francisco were exhorted to kill all representatives of the Indian government.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |date=24 June 2023 |title=Amritpal Singh's brother-in-law key accused in attack on Indian high commission in Canada |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/waris-punjab-de-chief-s-brother-in-law-named-primary-accused-in-attack-on-indian-high-commission-in-canada-101687549686353.html |access-date=25 June 2023 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705072929/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/waris-punjab-de-chief-s-brother-in-law-named-primary-accused-in-attack-on-indian-high-commission-in-canada-101687549686353.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 21 March 2023, two men poured flammable material in the entrance of the consulate and attempted to set the San Francisco consulate on fire.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pro-Khalistan protesters tried to set on fire India's consulate in San Francisco |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/diaspora/pro-khalistan-protesters-attempted-to-set-on-fire-indias-consulate-in-san-francisco-490025 |website=The Tribune India |access-date=4 July 2023 |archive-date=25 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625025651/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/diaspora/pro-khalistan-protesters-attempted-to-set-on-fire-indias-consulate-in-san-francisco-490025 |url-status=live }}</ref> In Washington, Khalistan supporters verbally intimidated and physically assaulted an Indian journalist covering the protests.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 March 2023 |title=Senior Indian journalist attacked by pro-Khalistanis outside Indian Embassy in Washington |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/senior-indian-journalist-attacked-by-pro-khalistanis-outside-indian-embassy-in-washington-1203621.html |access-date=25 June 2023 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en |archive-date=25 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625021638/https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/senior-indian-journalist-attacked-by-pro-khalistanis-outside-indian-embassy-in-washington-1203621.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In a Surrey protest, Sameer Kaushal, a journalist, was allegedly assaulted and harassed by Khalistan supporters.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Journalist allegedly assaulted as Punjab tensions spill over into B.C. |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9565072/surrey-protest-assault-punjab-crackdown/ |access-date=25 June 2023 |website=Global News |language=en-US |archive-date=21 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321101735/https://globalnews.ca/news/9565072/surrey-protest-assault-punjab-crackdown/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In the aftermath of the Surrey protest, Surrey RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Vanessa Munn confirmed police were investigating alleged assault involving a different victim and that the RCMP was seeking witnesses and video evidence. She stated “There is an assault investigation into the assault of one person who was in the crowd and did appear to be swarmed and assaulted by multiple people”.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Journalist allegedly assaulted as Punjab tensions spill over into B.C. |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/9565072/surrey-protest-assault-punjab-crackdown/ |access-date=12 October 2024 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}</ref> The Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu was threatened with [[assassination]] by Khalistanis.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 March 2023 |title='Mr Taranjit Singh Sandhu…': Khalistan supporter threatens Indian envoy to US {{!}} Watch |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mr-taranjit-singh-sandhu-khalistan-supporters-threaten-indian-envoy-to-us-watch-101679805410645.html |access-date=25 June 2023 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=27 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627184325/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mr-taranjit-singh-sandhu-khalistan-supporters-threaten-indian-envoy-to-us-watch-101679805410645.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 18 June 2023, [[Hardeep Singh Nijjar]] was shot dead in the parking lot of a Sikh temple in [[Surrey, British Columbia]]. Nijjar was allegedly the head of two pro-Khalistan organisations in Canada, and had been accused by the [[Government of India|Indian Government]] of orchestrating targeted killings in India, for which it unsuccessfully sought his extradition.<ref>{{cite news|author=Anirudh Bhattacharyya|title=Canadian police frees Khalistani 'separatist' Hardeep Nijjar after 24 hours in custody|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/nijjar-accused-by-india-of-being-khalistani-terrorist-briefly-taken-into-custody-by-canada/story-Tdi9QZxxyDKuBlcjjc6ZXN.html|publisher=Hindustan Times|date=27 April 2018|access-date=19 September 2023|archive-date=21 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921182446/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/nijjar-accused-by-india-of-being-khalistani-terrorist-briefly-taken-into-custody-by-canada/story-Tdi9QZxxyDKuBlcjjc6ZXN.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 2 July 2023, Khalistani supporters set the Indian consulate in San Francisco on fire.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 July 2023 |title=2nd attack since March: Indian consulate set on fire in San Francisco; US condemns violence |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/2nd-attack-since-march-indian-consulate-set-on-fire-in-san-francisco-us-condemns-violence/articleshow/101471463.cms?from=mdr |access-date=4 July 2023 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=4 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704205012/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/2nd-attack-since-march-indian-consulate-set-on-fire-in-san-francisco-us-condemns-violence/articleshow/101471463.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}</ref> The arson attempt was promptly suppressed by the San Francisco Fire Department, resulting in limited damage to the building and no injuries to the staffers present.<ref name="Tribune India July 2023">{{Cite web |title=US condemns vandalism, attempted arson against Indian Consulate in San Francisco |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/diaspora/us-condemns-vandalism-attempted-arson-against-indian-consulate-in-san-francisco-522658 |website=Tribune India |access-date=4 July 2023 |archive-date=4 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704213518/https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/diaspora/us-condemns-vandalism-attempted-arson-against-indian-consulate-in-san-francisco-522658 |url-status=live }}</ref> The incident was condemned by the State Department's spokesman Matthew Miller.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 July 2023 |title=US condemns vandalism at Indian consulate in San Francisco |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us-condemns-vandalism-indian-consulate-san-francisco-2023-07-04/ |access-date=4 July 2023 |archive-date=4 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704205012/https://www.reuters.com/world/us-condemns-vandalism-indian-consulate-san-francisco-2023-07-04/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A video of the incident was released on Twitter by Khalistani supporters, suggesting the attack was retaliation for the recent death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.<ref name="Tribune India July 2023" /> Nijjar's death sparked protests among sections of the Sikh diaspora; posters promoting these events alleged that Indian diplomats played a role in the death. The posters were condemned by Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly who assured the safety of Indian diplomats and buildings.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 July 2023 |title='Heated' demonstration at Indian consulate in Toronto sees one arrested |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-sikh-protests-toronto-vancouver/ |access-date=14 July 2023 |quote=Some online posters ahead of the event said "Kill India" and suggested, without evidence, that Indian diplomats played a role in Mr. Nijjar’s death. |archive-date=14 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714010058/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-sikh-protests-toronto-vancouver/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to a ''Globe and Mail'' report published one year after Nijjar's death, some Canadian security officials did not believe there was sufficient evidence to arrest Nijjar, and accused Indian intelligence officials of "having a reputation for torqueing evidence to fit with political objectives". However, the report also stated that interviews with Nijjar's associates and his own disclosures, revealed that "he was steeped in Sikh extremism", made speeches calling for violence against Indian adversaries, had relations with the architects of the 1995 assassination of Punjab's chief minister [[Beant Singh (politician)|Beant Singh]], was photographed in Pakistan with an AK-47 and had a close relationship with Jagtar Singh Tara — head of the [[Babbar Khalsa International]] and other militant outfits, had "underworld associates" and relations with members of the [[Khalistan Tiger Force]], and led several men in weapons, GPS, and target practice in Lower Mainland BC.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 June 2024 |title=A year after Hardeep Singh Nijjar's death, mysteries remain about how he really lived |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-a-year-after-hardeep-singh-nijjars-death-mysteries-remain-about-how-he/ |access-date=12 October 2024 |work=The Globe and Mail |language=en-CA}}</ref>

On 1 September 2024, the organisation, [[Sikhs for Justice]], held a rally in Toronto. Floats within the parade glorified [[Dilawar Singh Babbar]], a suicide bomber affiliated with [[Babbar Khalsa International]] (a banned organisation in Canada), who killed former Punjab chief minister [[Beant Singh (politician)|Beant Singh]] and numerous other bystanders. A sign at the rally read "Beanta Bombed to Death". SFJ described Babbar as a "human bomb". SFJ's general counsel in a statement said:"We are all offspring of Dilawar. At that time in 1995, the choice of weapon was a bomb, but we have choice of ballot today.” Some attendees chanted "Kill India" at the rally.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 September 2024 |title=Pro-Khalistani Group in Toronto Glorifies Beant Singh's Killer, Indian Authorities to Raise Issue With Canada {{!}} EXCLUSIVE |url=https://www.news18.com/world/pro-khalistani-group-in-toronto-glorifies-beant-singhs-killer-indian-authorities-to-raise-issue-with-canada-exclusive-9035805.html |access-date=13 October 2024 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1 September 2024 |title=Canada: Pro-Khalistan rallies feature floats celebrating 1995 Beant Singh bombing |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/world/canada/story/canada-pro-khalistan-rallies-feature-floats-celebrating-1995-beant-singh-bombing-443897-2024-09-01?onetap=true |access-date=13 October 2024 |website=Business Today |language=en}}</ref>

In October 2024, Rishi Nagar, a Canadian radio host of ''Calgary Red FM'', reported on an incident at Gurdwara Dashmesh Culture Centre, a Sikh temple in Calgary, in which two men were arrested on various firearms related charges, including unauthorised possession of a firearm and pointing a firearm; multiple guns were seized by the police at the site. Following the report, Nagar was assaulted by two men. The attack left Nagar with severe injuries to his eye. Nagar attributed the assault to Khalistani elements stating “The pro-Khalistan people attacked me” {{citation needed|date=February 2025}}. Calgary Police's Staff Sergeant John Guigon described the assault as “particularly troubling to us when a member of the media gets attacked in a democracy”.{{refn|<ref>{{Cite web |title='I will not be silenced': Calgary radio host attack caught on CCTV |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/10789526/calgary-radio-host-attack-cctv-red-fm-rishi-nagar/ |access-date=2 October 2024 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Calgary radio host speaks out after being attacked outside banquet hall |url=https://globalnews.ca/video/10789528/calgary-radio-host-speaks-out-after-being-attacked-outside-banquet-hall/ |access-date=2 October 2024 |website=Global News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Indo-Canadian mediaperson, attacked by two persons, blames 'pro-Khalistan' elements |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/indocanadian-mediaperson-attacked-by-two-persons-blames-pro-khalistan-elements-101727784955199.html |work=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1 October 2024 |title=Calgary police investigating weekend assault of radio host |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/calgary/article/calgary-police-investigating-weekend-assault-of-radio-host/ |access-date=2 October 2024 |website=CTV News Calgary |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Radio journalist says he was assaulted in attack over news coverage |url=https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/police-investigate-allegedly-politically-motivated-assault-on-radio-journalist/ar-AA1rxplx |work=Calgary Herald |quote=City police are seeking two suspects in an assault on a well-known radio journalist in Calgary’s northeast that apparently targeted his reporting on crime issues within the Sikh community.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Calgary police probe assault of RED FM news director |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/police-investigate-assault-on-radio-host-1.7338352 |work=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |quote=Staff Sgt. John Guigon said Nagar was struck in the head but was not seriously hurt, and that the incident was captured on video. "It was not a pleasant situation," he said."[It is] particularly troubling to us when a member of the media gets attacked in a democracy.... We're throwing resources at it."}}</ref>}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Abhinav |date=3 October 2024 |title=Canadian radio journalist Rishi Nagar attacked by Khalistani groups in Canada |url=https://diyatvusa.com/canadian-radio-journalist-rishi-nagar-attacked-by-khalistani-groups-in-canada/ |access-date=4 October 2024 |website=Diya TV |language=en-US |quote=A group of men supportive of the Khalistan separatist movement violently assaulted Canada-based RED FM News Director Rishi Nagar allegedly for refusing to align with their agenda.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Moharib |first=Nadia |date=30 September 2024 |title=Man threatened outside NE temple, two arrested: Calgary police |url=https://calgary.citynews.ca/2024/09/30/calgary-sikh-temple-firearms-incident/ |access-date=11 October 2024 |website=CityNews Calgary |language=en}}</ref> ''Calgary Red FM'' stated that Nagar "faced some blowback for his opposition to the Khalistan movement".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bradley |first=Jonathan |date=1 October 2024 |title=RED FM Calgary host says attack will not stop his journalism |url=https://www.westernstandard.news/alberta/red-fm-calgary-host-says-attack-will-not-stop-his-journalism/58314 |access-date=2 October 2024 |website=Western Standard |language=en}}</ref> Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre and Alberta premier Danielle Smith condemned the attack.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bradley |first=Jonathan |date=2 October 2024 |title=UPDATED: Poilievre, Smith say they are disturbed by attack on RED FM Calgary host |url=https://www.westernstandard.news/alberta/poilievre-says-he-is-disturbed-by-attack-on-red-fm-calgary-host/58342 |access-date=2 October 2024 |website=Western Standard |language=en}}</ref>

Chandra Arya, a Canadian Liberal MP, denounced attacks on journalists perpetrated by Khalistan supporters. In the House of Commons, he criticised the attacks on Nagar, Punj, and Kaushal. Arya further stated “I call on law enforcement agencies to take notice of Khalistani extremism with all seriousness it deserves.” Mocha Bezirgan, a journalist, has also received death threats for his coverage on Khalistani extremism.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Journalists reporting against Khalistan groups under attack in Canada, says Indian-origin MP |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/diaspora/journalists-reporting-against-khalistan-groups-under-attack-in-canada-says-indian-origin-mp/ |access-date=12 October 2024 |website=The Tribune |language=en}}</ref>

In November 2024, Khalistani demonstrators attacked people outside the Hindu Sabha Mandir in Brampton with flag poles and sticks. In a video circulated in social media, individuals holding pro-Khalistan flags were seen running into the temple property and striking people within their vicinity.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Mudhar |first1=Raju |last2=O'Brien |first2=Abby |date=9 November 2024 |title='This is not a Hindu and Sikh battle': The complex history behind protests that erupted at Brampton temples this week over Indian consular visits |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/this-is-not-a-hindu-and-sikh-battle-the-complex-history-behind-protests-that-erupted/article_8a786650-9dfd-11ef-a451-1fda9f2db36f.html |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=Toronto Star |language=en |quote=In another video, individuals holding pro-Khalistan flagpoles can be seen running onto the property, striking those inside the perimeter with them. A chaotic scene ensues.}}</ref> Justin Trudeau, Pierre Poilievre, and Jagmeet Singh, along with other Canadian politicians, condemned the incident.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aguilar |first=Bryann |date=3 November 2024 |title=Police increase their presence at Hindu temple in Brampton after protest |url=https://www.cp24.com/local/peel/2024/11/03/peel-police-investigating-incident-during-protest-at-hindu-temple-in-brampton/ |access-date=3 November 2024 |website=CP24 |language=en}}</ref> As a result of the violence, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown announced he that he intended to introduce a motion at city council to prohibit protests outside places of worship in Brampton.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ICI.Radio-Canada.ca |first=Zone Justice et faits divers- |date=4 November 2024 |title=3 arrested and charged after protest at Brampton Hindu temple, police say |url=https://ici.radio-canada.ca/rci/en/news/2117369/3-arrested-and-charged-after-protest-at-brampton-hindu-temple-police-say |access-date=4 November 2024 |website=Radio-Canada.ca |language=fr-ca}}</ref> An off duty Peel Police sergeant Harinder Sohi was suspended from duty for participating in the protest. Sohi was filmed holding a Khalistan flag outside the temple.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Mudhar |first1=Raju |last2=O'Brien |first2=Abby |date=9 November 2024 |title='This is not a Hindu and Sikh battle': The complex history behind protests that erupted at Brampton temples this week over Indian consular visits |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/this-is-not-a-hindu-and-sikh-battle-the-complex-history-behind-protests-that-erupted/article_8a786650-9dfd-11ef-a451-1fda9f2db36f.html |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=Toronto Star |language=en |quote=The clash saw three people arrested and an off-duty police officer who participated in the protest, Sergeant Harinder Sohi, suspended.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Peel cop suspended after participating in protest outside Hindu temple |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/peel-officer-suspended-hindu-temple-protest-1.7372954 |work=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Who Is The Suspended Cop Harinder Sohi And What Happened At The Pro-Khalistan Protest? |url=https://thedailyguardian.com/who-is-the-suspended-cop-harinder-sohi-and-what-happened-at-the-pro-khalistan-protest/ |access-date=4 November 2024 |website=TheDailyGuardian |date=4 November 2024 |language=en}}</ref> In another social media post, a police officer was seen charging at a temple-goer and punching him, seemingly without provocation. The ''Toronto Star'' reached out to Peel Police who claimed they were aware of the video and "looking into it".<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Mudhar |first1=Raju |last2=O'Brien |first2=Abby |date=9 November 2024 |title='This is not a Hindu and Sikh battle': The complex history behind protests that erupted at Brampton temples this week over Indian consular visits |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/this-is-not-a-hindu-and-sikh-battle-the-complex-history-behind-protests-that-erupted/article_8a786650-9dfd-11ef-a451-1fda9f2db36f.html |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=Toronto Star |language=en |quote=The video then appears to show one of the officers breaking away from his colleagues, running onto temple property, and repeatedly striking an individual. When reached for comment, Peel police said it was aware of the video and was looking into it.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=4 November 2024 |title=Video: Canadian cop punches Hindu man protesting against pro-Khalistan mob attack |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/canada-brampton-temple-attack-peel-police-assault-hindu-community-indians-khalistan-mob-viral-video-2627588-2024-11-04 |access-date=4 November 2024 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> Prior to the melee at the temple, the Indian consulate announced a visit to the temple to assist elderly members of the Indian diaspora with their pensions and to them issue life certificates.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 November 2024 |title=Fears of more clashes between Sikhs and Hindus in Brampton, Ont., as Canada-India rift spills over into suburbs |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tensions-in-brampton-boil-over-with-violent-protests-clashes/ |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=The Globe and Mail |language=en-CA |quote=The Khalistani protesters claimed the event at the Hindu temple Sunday – where Indian consular staff were helping Indian immigrants apply for government pensions – was part of surveillance efforts to keep tabs on pro-Khalistan Sikhs.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Mudhar |first1=Raju |last2=O'Brien |first2=Abby |date=9 November 2024 |title='This is not a Hindu and Sikh battle': The complex history behind protests that erupted at Brampton temples this week over Indian consular visits |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/this-is-not-a-hindu-and-sikh-battle-the-complex-history-behind-protests-that-erupted/article_8a786650-9dfd-11ef-a451-1fda9f2db36f.html |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=Toronto Star |language=en |quote=It was the presence of Indian Consular officials, who have been visiting communities to help older people in the diaspora who may be entitled to pensions, that prompted SFJ to plan Sunday’s demonstration.}}</ref> Most beneficiaries of the consular service were Sikh diaspora members.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 November 2024 |title=Violent clashes erupt outside consular camp at Hindu temple in Canada's Brampton |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/violent-clashes-erupt-outside-consular-camp-at-hindu-temple-in-canadas-brampton/article68827909.ece |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X |quote=Most beneficiaries of the consular service organised by the Indian High Commission in Brampton were Sikh members of the Indian diaspora.}}</ref> [[Sikhs for Justice]] subsequently began a protest, alleging the Indian consulate intended to spy on Sikhs and collect intelligence on the separatist movement.<ref>{{Cite news |date=8 November 2024 |title=Fears of more clashes between Sikhs and Hindus in Brampton, Ont., as Canada-India rift spills over into suburbs |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-tensions-in-brampton-boil-over-with-violent-protests-clashes/ |access-date=10 November 2024 |work=The Globe and Mail |language=en-CA}}</ref> Inderjeet Singh Gosal, Sikhs for Justice Khalistan Referendum co-ordinator for Canada, who organised the protest stated: "This is not a Hindu and Sikh battle. This is strictly Sikhs versus the Indian government [...] Any place they (consular officials) go, we’ve been protesting there."<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Mudhar |first1=Raju |last2=O'Brien |first2=Abby |date=9 November 2024 |title='This is not a Hindu and Sikh battle': The complex history behind protests that erupted at Brampton temples this week over Indian consular visits |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/this-is-not-a-hindu-and-sikh-battle-the-complex-history-behind-protests-that-erupted/article_8a786650-9dfd-11ef-a451-1fda9f2db36f.html |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=Toronto Star |language=en}}</ref> Gosal was arrested on 8 November 2024 and charged with assault with a weapon.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lavoie |first=Joanna |date=9 November 2024 |title=Another person charged following violent demonstrations in Peel Region |url=https://www.cp24.com/local/peel/2024/11/09/another-person-charged-following-violent-demonstrations-in-peel-region/ |access-date=10 November 2024 |website=CP24 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/29/india/clashes-hindu-sikh-canada-india-intl-hnk/index.html|title=Clashes erupted outside a Hindu temple near Toronto. They're the latest sign of Canada and India's spiraling relations|date=29 November 2024 |publisher=CNN}}</ref>
On 23 September 2025, Canadian authorities arrested Inderjeet Singh Gosal for firearims charges.<ref>{{cite web |title=Canadian police arrest Sikh activist on firearms charges |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/canada-india-arrest-1.7640797 |website=CBC news |access-date=23 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Khalistani extremist Inderjit Singh Gosal arrested in Canada on firearms charges |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/khalistani-extremist-inderjit-singh-gosal-arrested-in-canada-on-firearms-charges-10265409/ |website=The Indian Express |access-date=23 September 2025 |language=en |date=23 September 2025}}</ref>

===== Electoral performance of pro-Khalistan parties and candidates =====
{{see also|2022 Punjab Legislative Assembly election|Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency|2024 Indian general election in Punjab}}
In the [[2022 Punjab Legislative Assembly election]], the [[Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar)]], a splinter group of the [[Shiromani Akali Dal]], and the only pro Khalistan party in India,<ref name="Only pro">{{Cite web |date=22 January 2022 |title=Not one of its leaders elected since 1999, SAD (Amritsar) still contests polls demanding Khalistan |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/not-one-of-its-leaders-elected-since-1999-sad-amritsar-still-contests-polls-demanding-khalistan-7736135/ |access-date=12 October 2024 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |quote=Headed by former MP Simranjit Singh Mann, a retired IPS officer, SAD (Amritsar) is the only party which still contests the elections in Punjab with demand for a separate Khalistan.}}</ref> contested 81 out of the 117 seats in the Punjab Legislative Assembly and received 386,176 votes or 2.48% of the vote share. SAD(A) received 49,260 votes (0.3% of the vote share) in the [[2017 Punjab Legislative Assembly election|2017 Legislative Assembly election]].

Simranjit Singh Mann, head of the SAD(A), won the Sangrur [[Lok Sabha]] [[Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency|by-election]] held in June 2022, receiving 253,154 votes in the constituency or 35.61% of the vote share. However, Mann went on to lose the [[Sangrur Lok Sabha constituency|2024 Sangrur Lok Sabha election]], receiving 187,246 votes or 18.55% of the vote share.

In the [[2024 Indian general election in Punjab]], thirteen parliamentary constituencies were contested. Two MP candidates associated with the Khalistan movement, Amritpal Singh and Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa,<ref name="PKS">{{Cite news |last=Takkar |first=Jatin |date=4 June 2024 |title=Pro-Khalistan separatists Amritpal and Sarabjeet lead over rivals |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/india/pro-khalistan-separatists-amritpal-and-sarabjeet-lead-over-rivals/articleshow/110696255.cms?from=mdr |access-date=12 October 2024 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> won in their respective constituencies and were subsequently elected as Indian Members of Parliament.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sethi |first=Chitleen K. |date=5 June 2024 |title=Amritpal, Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa — Sikh radicals' poll victories pose challenge for Mann govt |url=https://theprint.in/politics/amritpal-sarabjeet-singh-khalsa-sikh-radicals-poll-victories-pose-challenge-for-mann-govt/2117825/ |access-date=12 October 2024 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US |quote=Amritpal Singh won from Khadoor Sahib by biggest margin this election in Punjab & Beant Singh's son Khalsa won in Faridkot. But, Simranjit Singh Mann lost his Sangrur seat.}}</ref> SAD(A) ran candidates in 12 out of 13 constituencies, but did not win any race. They received over 500,000 votes in the election. 
{| class="wikitable"
|+Electoral performance of pro Khalistan candidates/parties in the 2024 Indian general election in Punjab 
!Candidate/Party
!Affiliation
!Constituency
!Won/Lost
!Votes
!%
!Notes
|-
|Amritpal Singh
|Independent
|Khadoor Sahib
|Won
|404,430<ref name="ECI2024">{{Cite web |title=General Election to Parliamentary Constituencies: Trends & Results June-2024 |url=https://results.eci.gov.in/PcResultGenJune2024/partywiseresult-S19.htm |website=Election Commission of India}}</ref>
|38.62
|Incarcerated pro-Khalistan activist.<ref name="PKS"/>
|-
|Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa
|Independent
|Faridkot
|Won
|298,062<ref name="ECI2024"/>
|29.38
|Son of the [[Beant Singh (assassin)|assassin]] of former Prime Minister [[Indira Gandhi]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 June 2024 |title=Father didn't care and laid down his life, Sikh community pulled family through troubled times: Sarabjit Singh Khalsa |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/father-didnt-care-and-laid-down-his-life-sikh-community-pulled-family-through-troubled-times-sarabjit-singh-khalsa/articleshow/110768223.cms?from=mdr |access-date=12 October 2024 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389 |quote=Six-year-old Sarabjit when his father Beant Singh, a Delhi police SI who was part of the PM’s security detail, along with another of her bodyguards, Satwant Singh, assassinated Indira Gandhi in October 1984.}}</ref>
|-
| colspan="2" |Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar)
|Contested 12 out of the 13 parliamentary constituencies 
|Lost in all 12 constituencies
|517,024<ref name="ECI2024"/>
|~3.82% of total vote share
|Only pro-Khalistan party in India.<ref name="Only pro"/>
|-
|
|
|
|'''Total vote count of pro-Khalistan candidates'''
|'''1,219,516'''
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|'''Total votes in general election'''
|'''~13,530,000'''
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|'''% of vote'''
|'''~9%'''
|
|
|}

== Militancy ==
During the late 1980s and the early 1990s, there was a dramatic rise in radical state militancy in Punjab. The 1984 military [[Operation Blue Star]] in the [[Golden Temple]] in Amritsar offended many Sikhs.{{sfnp|Pettigrew, The Sikhs of the Punjab|1995|p=24}} The separatists used this event, as well as the following [[1984 anti-Sikh riots]], to claim that the interest of Sikhs was not safe in India and to foster the spread of militancy among Sikhs in Punjab. Some sections of the Sikh diaspora also began join the separatists with financial and diplomatic support.{{sfnp|Fair, Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies|2005|p=128}}

A section of Sikhs turned to militancy in Punjab and several Sikh militant outfits proliferated in the 1980s and 1990s.{{sfnp|Fair, Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies|2005|p=129}} Some militant groups aimed to create an independent state through acts of violence directed at members of the Indian government, army, or forces. A large numbers of Sikhs condemned the actions of the militants.<ref name="JCSP1992">{{citation|first1=J. C. |last1=Aggarwal|title=Modern History of Punjab|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d-CN0Q4g-dwC&pg=PA108|page=117|year=1992|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|isbn=978-81-7022-431-0|first2=S. P.|last2=Agrawal}}</ref> According to [[anthropological]] analysis, one reason young men had for joining militant and other religious nationalist groups was for fun, excitement, and expressions of masculinity. Puri, Judge, and Sekhon (1999) suggest that illiterate/under-educated young men, lacking enough job prospects, had joined pro-Khalistan militant groups for the primary purpose of "fun."<ref name=":5">Puri, Harish K., Paramjit Singh Judge, and Jagrup Singh Sekhon. 1999. ''Terrorism in Punjab: Understanding Grassroots Reality''. New Delhi: Har-Anand Publications. pp. 68–71.</ref> They mention that the pursuit of Khalistan itself was the motivation for only 5% of "militants."{{sfnp|Van Dyke, The Khalistan Movement|2009|p=991}}<ref name=":5" />

=== Militant groups ===
{{See also|List of pro-Khalistan movement organizations}}

There are several militant Sikh groups, such as the Khalistan Council, that are currently functional and provides organisation and guidance to the Sikh community. Multiple groups are organised across the world, coordinating their military efforts for Khalistan. Such groups were most active in 1980s and early 1990s, and have since receded in activity. These groups are largely defunct in India but they still have a political presence among the Sikh diaspora, especially in countries such as Pakistan where they are not proscribed by law.{{sfnp|Fair, Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies|2005|p=133}}

Most of these outfits were crushed by 1993 during the [[counter-insurgency]] operations. In recent years, active groups have included Babbar Khalsa, International Sikh Youth Federation, Dal Khalsa, and Bhindranwale Tiger Force. An unknown group before then, the Shaheed Khalsa Force claimed credit for the marketplace bombings in New Delhi in 1997. The group has never been heard of since.

Major pro-Khalistan militant outfits include:
* [[Babbar Khalsa]] International (BKI)
** Listed as a terrorist organisation in the [[European Union]],<ref name="EU_terror_list">{{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 |access-date=31 May 2009 |archive-date=1 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601155954/http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_144/l_14420050608en00540058.pdf |url-status=live }}</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 |access-date=31 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626183402/http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/prg/ns/le/cle-en.asp#bkbki13 |archive-date=26 June 2009}}</ref> India,<ref name="cbcca-extremism" /> and UK.<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 |access-date=26 December 2011 |archive-date=1 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601022355/http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/sikh-politics-canada/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><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 |access-date=24 May 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615073011/http://security.homeoffice.gov.uk/legislation/current-legislation/terrorism-act-2000/proscribed-groups |archive-date=15 June 2009}}</ref>
** Included in the [[United States Department of State list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations|Terrorist Exclusion List]] of the US Government in 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |date = 29 December 2004 |title = Terrorist Exclusion List |publisher = U. S. [[Bureau of Counterterrorism and Countering Violent Extremism]] |url = http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/other/des/123086.htm|access-date=14 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090513211402/http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/other/des/123086.htm |archive-date=13 May 2009}}</ref>
** Designated by the US and the Canadian courts for the bombing of [[Air India Flight 182]] on 27 June 2002.<ref name="cbcca-extremism"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/20123.pdf |title=Appendix F: Countering Terrorism on the Economic Front |publisher=US Department of State |page=2 |access-date=31 May 2009 |archive-date=10 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110141125/https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/20123.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan|Bhindranwala Tiger Force of Khalistan]] (BTFK; aka Bhindranwale Tiger Force, BTF)
** This group appears to have been formed in 1984 by [[Gurbachan Singh Manochahal]].
** Seems to have disbanded or integrated into other organisations after the death of Manochahal.<ref name="fightingbook">{{harvp|Mahmood|1996|p=328}}</ref>
** Listed in 1995 as one of the 4 "major militant groups" in the Khalistan movement.<ref name="TerrorismInContext">{{citation|title=Terrorism in Context|date=1995|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9nFyZaZGthgC|page=656|editor=Martha Crenshaw|publisher=Pennsylvania State University Press|isbn=978-0-271-01015-1|access-date=29 August 2020|archive-date=30 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072139/https://books.google.com/books?id=9nFyZaZGthgC|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Khalistan Commando Force]] (KCF){{sfnp|Fair, Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies|2005|p=129}}
** Formed by the [[Sarbat Khalsa]] in 1986.<ref name="encycloextreme">{{citation |last=Atkins |first=Stephen E. |author-link=Stephen E. Atkins |title=Encyclopedia of modern worldwide extremists and extremist groups |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |page=404 |year=2004 |edition=illustrated |isbn=978-0-313-32485-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b8k4rEPvq_8C |access-date=26 June 2009 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072209/https://books.google.com/books?id=b8k4rEPvq_8C |url-status=live }}</ref> It does not figure in the list of terrorist organisations declared by the [[United States Department of State|US Department of State]] (DOS).<ref>{{Cite web |date = 8 April 2008 |title=Foreign Terrorist Organizations |publisher = [[U. S. Department of State]]|url=http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/other/des/123085.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090513211359/http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/other/des/123085.htm |archive-date=13 May 2009}}</ref>
** According to the DOS<ref name="KCFconvict" /> and the Assistant Inspector General of the [[Punjab Police (India)|Punjab Police]] Intelligence Division,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://2001-2009.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 |access-date=8 June 2009 |archive-date=16 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816010344/https://2001-2009.state.gov/p/inl/rls/nrcrpt/2008/vol2/html/101353.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> the KCF was responsible for the deaths of thousands in India, including the 1995 assassination of Chief Minister [[Beant Singh (politician)|Beant Singh]].<ref name="KCFconvict" />
* [[Khalistan Liberation Army]] (KLA)
** Reputed to have been a wing of, associated with, or a breakaway group of the Khalistan Liberation Force.
* [[Khalistan Liberation Force]]{{sfnp|Fair, Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies|2005|p=129}}
** Formed in 1986
** Believed to be responsible for several bombings of civilian targets in India during the 1980s and 1990s,<ref name="1995patterns">{{cite web|title=1995 Patterns of Global Terrorism|url=https://fas.org/irp/threat/terror_95/terasi.htm#India|last=Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism|date=April 1996|publisher=Federation of American Scientists|access-date=30 May 2009|archive-date=22 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122200013/http://fas.org/irp/threat/terror_95/terasi.htm#India|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="CNN96may22">{{Cite news |last = Pratap |first = Anita |author-link = Anita Pratap |date = 22 May 1996 |title = Bus explosion in India kills at least 14: It's the second bombing in two days |publisher = [[CNN]] |publication-place = New Delhi |url=http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9605/22/india.bomb/index.html|access-date=14 January 2023|archive-date=8 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108074743/http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9605/22/india.bomb/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> sometimes in conjunction with [[Islamism|Islamist]] [[Kashmir conflict|Kashmir separatists]].<ref name="CNN96may21">{{Cite web|title=CNN – Fatal bomb meant to disrupt – April 21, 1996|url=http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9604/21/india.bomb/index.html|access-date=14 January 2023|website=CNN|archive-date=8 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108074805/http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/9604/21/india.bomb/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Khalistan Zindabad Force]] (KZF)
** Listed as a terrorist organisation by the EU.<ref name="EU_terror_list" />
** Last major suspected activity was a bomb blast in 2006 at the [[Inter State Bus Terminals|Inter-State Bus Terminus]] in [[Jalandhar]].<ref>{{cite news|date=19 June 2006|title=KZF behind Jalandhar blasts|work=The Indian Express|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/kzf-behind-jalandhar-blasts/6802/|access-date=26 December 2011|archive-date=5 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090605145526/http://www.indianexpress.com/news/kzf-behind-jalandhar-blasts/6802|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[International Sikh Youth Federation]] (ISYF),{{sfnp|Fair, Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies|2005|p=129}} based in the United Kingdom.
* [[All India Sikh Students Federation]] (AISSF)
* [[Dashmesh Regiment]]
* [[Shaheed Khalsa Force]]

=== Abatement ===

The [[United States Department of State|US Department of State]] found that Sikh extremism had decreased significantly from 1992 to 1997, although a 1997 report noted that "Sikh militant cells are active internationally and extremists gather funds from overseas Sikh communities."<ref name="uspatterns">{{cite web |url=https://1997-2001.state.gov/www/global/terrorism/1997Report/backg.html |title=Patterns of Global Terrorism: 1997 – appendix B |year=1997 |publisher=U. S. Department of State |access-date=25 May 2009 |archive-date=23 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123191315/http://1997-2001.state.gov/www/global/terrorism/1997Report/backg.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1999, [[Kuldip Nayar]], writing for [[Rediff.com]], stated in an article, titled "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 |work=Rediff.com |access-date=26 December 2011 |archive-date=5 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105115345/http://www.rediff.com/news/1999/feb/22nayar.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
By 2001, Sikh extremism and the demand for Khalistan had all but abated.<ref group="lower-roman">{{harvp|Jodhka|2001}}: "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>

Reported in his paper, titled "From Bhindranwale to Bin Laden: Understanding Religious Violence", Director [[Mark Juergensmeyer]] of the Orfalea Centre for Global & International Studies, [[University of California, Santa Barbara|UCSB]], interviewed a militant who said that "the movement is over," as many of his colleagues 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=14 October 2004 |publisher=Self |page=30 |access-date=26 May 2009 |archive-date=13 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713123550/http://juergensmeyer.com/files/ASU%20volume-%2006CHAP02_JUERGENSMEYER.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Outside of India ==
Operation Blue Star and its violent aftermaths popularised the demand for Khalistan among many Sikhs dispersed globally.{{sfnp|Fair, Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies|2005|p=136}} Involvement of sections of Sikh diaspora turned out to be important for the movement as it provided the diplomatic and financial support. It also enabled Pakistan to become involved in the fuelling of the movement. Sikhs in UK, Canada and USA arranged for cadres to travel to Pakistan for military and financial assistance. Some Sikh groups abroad even declared themselves as the Khalistani government in exile.{{sfnp|Fair, Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies|2005|p=128}}

Sikh places of worship, gurdwaras, provided the geographic and institutional coordination for the Sikh community. Sikh political factions have used the gurdwaras as a forum for political organisation. The gurdwaras sometimes served as the site for mobilisation of diaspora for Khalistan movement directly by raising funds. Indirect mobilisation was sometimes provided by promoting a stylised version of conflict and Sikh history. The rooms in some gurdwara exhibit pictures of Khalistani leaders along with paintings of martyrs from Sikh history.{{sfnp|Fair, Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies|2005|p=132}}

Gurdwaras also host speakers and musical groups that promote and encourage the movement. Among the diasporas, Khalistan issue has been a divisive issue within gurdwaras. These factions have fought over the control of gurdwaras and their political and financial resources. The fights between pro and anti-Khalistan factions over gurdwaras often included violent acts and bloodshed as reported from UK and North America. The gurdwaras with Khalistani leadership allegedly funnel the collected funds into activities supporting the movement.{{sfnp|Fair, Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies|2005|p=132}}

Different groups of Sikhs in the diaspora organise the convention of international meetings to facilitate communication and establish organisational order. In April 1981 the first "International Convention of Sikhs," was held in New York and was attended by some 200 delegates. In April 1987 the third convention was held in Slough, Berkshire where the Khalistan issue was addressed. This meeting's objective was to "build unity in the Khalistan movement."{{sfnp|Fair, Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies|2005|p=132}}

All these factors further strengthened the emerging nationalism among Sikhs. Sikh organisations launched many fund-raising efforts that were used for several purposes. After 1984 one of the objectives was the promotion of the Sikh version of "ethnonational history" and the relationship with the Indian state. The Sikh diaspora also increased their efforts to build institutions to maintain and propagate their ethnonational heritage. A major objective of these educational efforts was to publicise a different face to the non-Sikh international community who regarded the Sikhs as "terrorists".{{sfnp|Fair, Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies|2005|p=137}}

In 1993, Khalistan was briefly admitted in the [[Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization]], but was suspended in a few months. The membership suspension was made permanent on 22 January 1995.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Downing|first1=John D. H.|title=Encyclopedia of Social Movement Media|date=2011|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OSkKAOoaSGIC|page=290|publisher=Sage|isbn=978-0-7619-2688-7|access-date=25 October 2018|archive-date=30 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072135/https://books.google.com/books?id=OSkKAOoaSGIC|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Simmons |first1=Mary Kate |title=Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization: yearbook |publisher=Martinus Nijhoff Publishers |isbn=978-90-411-0223-2 |page=187 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rWB3Bv3vuyMC&q=Khalistan%20Unrepresented%20Nations%20and%20Peoples%20Organisation&pg=PA187 |year=1998 |access-date=5 October 2020 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072134/https://books.google.com/books?id=rWB3Bv3vuyMC&q=Khalistan%20Unrepresented%20Nations%20and%20Peoples%20Organisation&pg=PA187 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Edward T.G. Anderson, an associate professor in history, describes the Khalistan movement outside India as follows:<ref>{{Cite book |last=Anderson |first=Edward T. G. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JEHyEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA333 |title=Hindu Nationalism in the Indian Diaspora: Transnational Politics and British Multiculturalism |date=1 January 2024 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-778328-3 |pages=333 |language=en}}</ref>{{blockquote|text=One example is the Khalistan movement, a separatist struggle for Sikh self-determination in Punjab, which in the diaspora has manifested in highly conspicuous and provocative protests, pugnacious rhetoric, violent tensions between different South Asian communities, and 'long-distance' support for militant secessionists.|author=Edward T.G. Anderson|title=''Hindu Nationalism in the Indian Diaspora'' |source=Oxford University Press (2024)}}

===Pakistan===
Pakistan has long aspired to dismember India through its ''[[Bleed India with a Thousand Cuts|Bleed India]]'' strategy. Even before the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto]], then a member of the military regime of General [[Yahya Khan]], stated, "Once the back of Indian forces is broken in the east, Pakistan should occupy the whole of Eastern India and make it a permanent part of East Pakistan.... Kashmir should be taken at any price, even the Sikh Punjab and turned into Khalistan."{{sfnp|Behera, Demystifying Kashmir|2007|pp=87–88}}

The Sikh separatist leader [[Jagjit Singh Chohan]] said that during his talks with [[Prime Minister of Pakistan|Pakistani prime minister]] that [[Zulfikar Ali Bhutto]] affirmed "we'll help you and make it the capital of Khalistan"; Bhutto wanted revenge over Bangladesh.<ref name="ChohanIT"/>

General [[Zia-ul Haq]], who succeeded Bhutto as the Head of State, attempted to reverse the traditional antipathy between Sikhs and Muslims arising from the [[Partition of India|partition violence]] by restoring Sikh shrines in Pakistan and opening them for Sikh pilgrimage. The expatriate Sikhs from England and North America that visited these shrines were at the forefront of the calls for Khalistan. During the pilgrims' stay in Pakistan, the Sikhs were exposed to Khalistani propaganda, which would not be openly possible in India.{{sfnp|Haqqani, Pakistan Between the Mosque and Military|2010|pp=270–271}}{{sfnp|Sirrs, Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate|2016|p=167}}{{sfnp|Fair, Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies|2005|p=133}}

The ISI chief, General Abdul Rahman, opened a cell within ISI with the objective of supporting the "[Sikhs']...freedom struggle against India". Rahman's colleagues in ISI took pride in the fact that "the Sikhs were able to set the whole province on fire. They knew who to kill, where to plant a bomb and which office to target." General Hamid Gul argued that keeping Punjab destabilised was equivalent to the Pakistan Army having an extra division at no cost. Zia-ul Haq, on the other hand, consistently practised the art of plausible denial.{{sfnp|Haqqani, Pakistan Between the Mosque and Military|2010|pp=270–271}}{{sfnp|Sirrs, Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate|2016|p=167}} The Khalistan movement was brought to a decline only after India fenced off a part of the Punjab border with Pakistan and the [[Benazir Bhutto]] government agreed to joint patrols of the border by Indian and Pakistani troops.{{sfnp|Haqqani, Pakistan Between the Mosque and Military|2010|p=272}}

In 2006, an American court convicted Khalid Awan, a Muslim and Canadian of Pakistani descent, of "supporting terrorism" by providing money and financial services to the Khalistan Commando Force chief Paramjit Singh Panjwar in Pakistan.<ref name="KCFconvict">{{cite web |url=https://www.justice.gov/usao/nye/pr/2006/2006Dec20.html |title=U.S. Court Convicts Khalid Awan for Supporting Khalistan Commando Force |date=20 December 2006 |publisher=The United States Attorney's Office |access-date=26 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115092626/http://www.justice.gov/usao/nye/pr/2006/2006Dec20.html |archive-date=15 January 2012 }}</ref> KCF members had carried out deadly attacks against Indian civilians causing thousands of deaths. Awan frequently travelled to Pakistan and was alleged by the US officials to have links to Sikh and Muslim extremists, as well as Pakistani intelligence.<ref name="theglobeandmail">{{cite news |title=Canadian gets 14 years for funding terrorists |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/canadian-gets-14-years-for-funding-terrorists/article693461/ |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |date=13 September 2007 |access-date=5 October 2018 |archive-date=24 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924210508/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/canadian-gets-14-years-for-funding-terrorists/article693461/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2008, India's [[Intelligence Bureau (India)|Intelligence Bureau]] indicated that Pakistan's [[Inter-Services Intelligence]] organisation was trying to revive Sikh militancy.<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 |work=Rediff.com |access-date=26 December 2011 |archive-date=22 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722112257/https://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jun/10vicky.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== United States ===
''[[The New York Times]]'' reported in June 1984 that Indian Prime Minister [[Indira Gandhi]] conveyed to [[Helmut Schmidt]] and [[Willy Brandt]], both of them being former Chancellors of [[West Germany]], that United States' [[Central Intelligence Agency]] (CIA) was involved in causing unrest in Punjab. It also reported that ''[[The Indian Express]]'' quoted anonymous officials from India's intelligence establishment as saying that the CIA "masterminded" a plan to support the acolytes of [[Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale]], who died during Operation Blue Star, by smuggling weapons for them through Pakistan.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/06/16/world/india-talks-of-cia-role-in-unrest.html|title=India Talks of C.I.A. Role in Unrest|last=Markham|first=James M.|date=16 June 1984|work=The New York Times|access-date=28 November 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=28 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128122755/https://www.nytimes.com/1984/06/16/world/india-talks-of-cia-role-in-unrest.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The United States embassy denied this report's findings.<ref name=":0" />

According to [[B. Raman]], former Additional Secretary in the [[Cabinet Secretariat (India)|Cabinet Secretariat]] of India and a senior official of the [[Research and Analysis Wing]], the United States initiated a plan in complicity with Pakistan's General [[Yahya Khan]] in 1971 to support an insurgency for Khalistan in Punjab.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/CIA-ISI-encouraged-Sikh-terrorism/articleshow/2235406.cms|title=CIA, ISI encouraged Sikh terrorism|date=26 July 2007|agency=[[Press Trust of India]]|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=28 November 2019|archive-date=1 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401114744/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/CIA-ISI-encouraged-Sikh-terrorism/articleshow/2235406.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/us-pak-isi-had-a-hand-in-punjab-militancy-book/story-kBFu6v3LLWKjrnOYUqP2MO.html|title=US, Pak ISI had a hand in Punjab militancy: Book|date=26 July 2007|website=[[Hindustan Times]]|language=en|access-date=1 December 2019|archive-date=6 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206105400/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/us-pak-isi-had-a-hand-in-punjab-militancy-book/story-kBFu6v3LLWKjrnOYUqP2MO.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2023, the United States alleged a plot by the Indian government to assassinate the New York–based Sikh separatist [[Gurpatwant Singh Pannun]], a spokesperson for the pro-Khalistan group [[Sikhs for Justice]]. On 29 November 2023, an Indian government employee was the target of an indictment in New York for their alleged role in the assassination plot.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nakashima |first1= Ellen |last2=Shih |first2= Gerry |last3=Amanda |first3= Coletta |date= 29 November 2023 |title= U.S. prosecutors allege assassination plot of Sikh separatist directed by Indian government employee |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/11/29/india-us-assassination-plot-sikh-pannun/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=29 November 2023}}</ref>

===Canada===
Immediately after Operation Blue Star, authorities were unprepared for how quickly extremism spread and gained support in Canada, with extremists "...threatening to kill thousands 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 |access-date=26 December 2011 |archive-date=14 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014231319/http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=86965 |url-status=dead }}</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 |work=rediff.com |access-date=26 December 2011 |archive-date=28 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328234650/http://ia.rediff.com/news/2007/may/23ai1.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Canadian [[Member of Parliament]] [[Ujjal Dosanjh]], 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=https://www.thestar.com/article/278833 |title=The reign of terror is still there |last=Brown |first=Jim |date=22 November 2007 |work=[[Toronto Star]] |access-date=2 September 2017 |archive-date=12 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012001721/http://www.thestar.com/article/278833 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 18 November 1998, the Canada-based Sikh journalist [[Tara Singh Hayer]] was gunned down by suspected Khalistani militants. The publisher of the ''Indo-Canadian Times'', a Canadian Sikh and once-vocal advocate of the armed struggle for Khalistan, he had criticised the bombing of [[Air India Flight 182]], and was to testify about a conversation he overheard concerning the bombing.<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 |work=The National Post |access-date=7 June 2009 }}{{dead link|date=October 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</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=2006 |edition=Paperback |at=p.&nbsp;388 (Chapters 6 and 7) |isbn=978-0-7710-1131-3}}</ref> 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 |date=14 December 2003 |publisher=CanWest News Service |access-date=26 December 2011 |archive-date=28 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928230802/http://www.sikhtimes.com/news_121403a.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Tarsem Singh Purewal, editor of Britain's Punjabi-language weekly ''Des Pardes'', was killed as he was closing his office in [[Southall]]. 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=https://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 |access-date=26 December 2011 |archive-date=12 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112015905/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/748866.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://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 |access-date=26 December 2011 |archive-date=7 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100507180120/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4354435.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Terry Milewski]] reported in a 2007 documentary for the CBC 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.<ref name="cbcca-extremism" /> In response, the [[World Sikh Organization of Canada]] (WSO), a Canadian Sikh human rights group that opposes violence and extremism,<ref name="WSO website">{{cite web |url=http://www.worldsikh.ca/ |title=Netfirms &#124; This site is temporarily unavailable |publisher=Worldsikh.ca |access-date=27 September 2015 |archive-date=1 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101222809/http://worldsikh.ca/ |url-status=dead }}</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=https://www.thestar.com/news/2007/07/11/sikh_organization_sues_cbc.html |title=Sikh organization sues CBC |last=Grewal |first=San |work=Toronto Star |date=11 July 2007 |access-date=27 January 2020 |archive-date=27 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127002733/https://www.thestar.com/news/2007/07/11/sikh_organization_sues_cbc.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2015, however, the WSO unconditionally abandoned "any and all claims" made in its lawsuit.

Canadian journalist [[Kim Bolan]] has written extensively on Sikh extremism. Speaking at the [[Fraser Institute]] 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 |work=The Times of India }}{{Dead link |date=September 2013 |bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref>

In 2008, a CBC report stated that "a disturbing brand of extremist politics has surfaced" at some of the [[Vaisakhi]] and the Buddhist [[Visakha Puja|Vesak]] 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 |access-date=25 May 2009 |archive-date=2 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110602025537/http://www.thetrumpet.com/?q=3980.2206.0.0 |url-status=live }}</ref> Two leading Canadian Sikh politicians refused to attend the parade in [[Surrey, British Columbia|Surrey]], saying it was a glorification of terrorism.<ref name="cbcca-extremism"/> In 2008, Dr. [[Manmohan Singh]], Prime Minister of India, expressed his concern that there might be a resurgence of Sikh extremism.<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=6 March 2008 |publisher=Radio Netherlands Worldwide |archive-url=https://archive.today/20080310231437/http://www.radionetherlands.nl/currentaffairs/region/asiapacific/080306-india-sikh-extremism |archive-date=10 March 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><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 |newspaper=Vancouver Sun |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112020313/http://www2.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=2be0865c-29ba-4dab-9bcc-d945e75007c1 |archive-date=12 November 2013}}</ref>

There has been some controversy over Canada's response to the Khalistan movement. After Amarinder Singh's refusal to meet [[Canadian Prime Minister]] [[Justin Trudeau]] in 2017, calling him a "Khalistani sympathiser", Singh ultimately met with Trudeau on 22 February 2018 over the issue.<ref>{{cite news |title=Amarinder Singh meets Justin Trudeau and Canada's 'Khalistani sympathiser' minister |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/amarinder-singh-meets-justin-trudeau-and-canadas-defence-minister-khalistani-sympathiser-harjit-sajjan/articleshow/63012999.cms |website=The Times of India |date=21 February 2018 |access-date=8 June 2018 |archive-date=11 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011120721/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/amarinder-singh-meets-justin-trudeau-and-canadas-defence-minister-khalistani-sympathiser-harjit-sajjan/articleshow/63012999.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> Trudeau assured Singh that his country would not support the revival of the separatist movement.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Singh |first1=Surjit |last2=Sharma |first2=Anil |title=Khalistan figures in Trudeau-Amarinder talks, Punjab CM hands over list of 9 Canada-based radicals |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/amarinder-singh-raises-khalistan-issue-in-talks-with-justin-trudeau/story-gHiDSlJZky04rWRyWr4cSJ.html |website=Hindustan Times |date=21 February 2018 |access-date=8 June 2018 |archive-date=12 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612144851/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/amarinder-singh-raises-khalistan-issue-in-talks-with-justin-trudeau/story-gHiDSlJZky04rWRyWr4cSJ.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="india-canada-list"/><ref>{{cite web|last1=Connolly|first1=Amanda|title=Jagmeet Singh defends speaking at Sikh separatist rally in 2015|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4083047/jagmeet-singh-sikh-separatist-rally/|website=Global News|access-date=22 May 2018|archive-date=23 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523104818/https://globalnews.ca/news/4083047/jagmeet-singh-sikh-separatist-rally/|url-status=live}}</ref> Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Badal was quoted saying Khalistan is "no issue, either in Canada or in Punjab".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/khalistan-no-issue-either-in-canada-or-punjab-sukhbir/story-BnMycPea65L76wdMStQjMP.html|title=Khalistan no issue either in Canada or Punjab, says Sukhbir Badal|date=23 February 2018|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|access-date=11 March 2018|archive-date=11 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311141558/https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/khalistan-no-issue-either-in-canada-or-punjab-sukhbir/story-BnMycPea65L76wdMStQjMP.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

A 2020 report by Canadian ex-journalist [[Terry Milewski]] criticised the Khalistan movement as driven by the Pakistani government, and as a threat to Canadian interests.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Milewski|first=Terry|date=September 2020|title=Khalistan: A project of Pakistan|url=https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/files/pdf/20200820_Khalistan_Air_India_Milewski_PAPER_FWeb.pdf|publisher=Macdonald-Laurier Institute|access-date=4 February 2021|archive-date=19 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219020545/https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/files/pdf/20200820_Khalistan_Air_India_Milewski_PAPER_FWeb.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2023, while speaking to the [[House of Commons of Canada|Canadian parliament]], Justin Trudeau accused India of being involved in the slaying of [[Hardeep Singh Nijjar]], a prominent advocate of the Khalistan separatist movement who had been killed by masked gunmen in Surrey, British Columbia.<ref name="apnews2023">{{cite news |last=Pathi |first=Krutika |date=19 September 2023 |title=India expels Canadian diplomat, escalating tensions after Trudeau accuses India in Sikh's killing |url=https://apnews.com/article/canada-india-sikh-diplomat-trudeau-modi-3c5572d9027769ea6adbd047ec6f462a |work=AP News |access-date=19 September 2023 |archive-date=19 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919215637/https://apnews.com/article/canada-india-sikh-diplomat-trudeau-modi-3c5572d9027769ea6adbd047ec6f462a |url-status=live }}</ref> Although Nijjar had been accused by India of having links to terrorism, India denied any involvement in his death. A subsequent [[Canada-India diplomatic row|diplomatic row]] followed, with both countries expelling multiple diplomatic staff in 2023 and 2024.<ref name="apnews2023"/><ref>{{Cite web |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=14 October 2024 |title=Canada and India each expel six diplomats amid murder investigation of Sikh activist in B.C. |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/canada-and-india-each-expel-six-diplomats-amid-murder-investigation-of-sikh-activist-in-b/article_d17db700-8a4b-11ef-bc06-3b4aeb86095c.html |access-date=27 November 2024 |website=Toronto Star |language=en}}</ref> Canada has not shared evidence of Indian involvement in the killing of Nijar, citing the need to protect sensitive intelligence sources and methods.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 September 2023 |title=Trudeau accuses India in killing of Sikh leader on Canadian soil |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-canadian-authorities-have-intelligence-that-india-was-behind-slaying/ |access-date=5 November 2024 |work=The Globe and Mail |language=en-CA}}</ref><ref name="apnews2023"/>

===United Kingdom===

In February 2008, [[BBC Radio 4]] 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=https://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|access-date=26 December 2011|archive-date=26 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326235251/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/file_on_4/7263211.stm|url-status=live}}</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 [[terrorist training camp]]s in Pakistan used by [[Al Qaeda]].<ref name="2008FebFileon4">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/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|access-date=26 December 2011|archive-date=15 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215004913/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/26_02_08_fo4_sikh.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Steve Bassam, Baron Bassam of Brighton|Lord Bassam of Brighton]], then [[Home Office]] minister, stated that [[International Sikh Youth Federation]] (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 organisations by the United States Department of State.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/other/des/123085.htm|title=Foreign Terrorist Organizations|publisher = [[U. S. Department of State]]|date=8 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090513211359/http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/other/des/123085.htm |archive-date=13 May 2009 }}</ref> It was also added to the [[US Treasury Department]] terrorism list on 27 June 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/terror.txt|title=Terrorism: What You Need To Know About U.S. Sanctions|publisher=U.S. Department of Treasury|access-date=24 May 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020195749/http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/terror.txt|archive-date=20 October 2011}}</ref>

[[Andrew Gilligan]], reporting for the ''[[London Evening Standard]]'', stated that the [[Sikh Federation (UK)]] 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=21 April 2008|work=London Evening Standard|access-date=26 May 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612112108/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-mayor/article-23479477-details/Ken's+adviser+is+linked+to+terror+group/article.do|archive-date=12 June 2009}}</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 |work=Evening Standard|location=London |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617104652/http://www.esadvertising.co.uk/media/images/mayor169_5330.pdf |archive-date=17 June 2009 }}</ref>
The ''[[Vancouver Sun]]'' reported in February 2008 that [[Dabinderjit Singh]] was campaigning to have both the Babbar Khalsa and International Sikh Youth Federation de-listed as terrorist organisations.<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|newspaper=Vancouver Sun|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090603194134/http://www2.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=17e39f37-c322-40a7-8b13-e37c29e40881|archive-date=3 June 2009}}</ref> It also stated of Public Safety Minister [[Stockwell Day]] that "he has not been approached by anyone lobbying to delist the banned groups". Day is also quoted as saying "The decision to list organisations 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"/> There are claims of funding from [[Sikh diaspora|Sikhs outside India]] to attract young people into these pro-Khalistan militant groups.<ref name="BBC_foreignFund">{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/file_on_4/7263211.stm |title=Sikh separatists 'funded from UK' |publisher=BBC |date=4 March 2008 |access-date=24 April 2008 |archive-date=14 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214144456/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/file_on_4/7263211.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Khalsa]]
* [[Kharku]]
* [[Sikhism in India]]
* [[Sikhs for Justice]]

== Notes ==
{{Reflist|group=upperalpha}}
{{Reflist|group=lower-roman}}
{{reflist|group=upper-alpha}}

==References==

=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{citation |last=Axel |first=Brian Keith |title=The nation's Tortured Body: Violence, representation, and the formation of a Sikh "Diaspora" |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gj8yJsixw8QC&pg=PA101 |year=2001 |publisher=Duke University Press |isbn=978-0-8223-2615-1 |ref={{sfnref|Axel, The Nation's Tortured Body|2011}}}}
* {{citation |first=Navnita Chadha |last=Behera |title=Demystifying Kashmir |publisher=Pearson Education India |year=2007 |isbn=978-81-317-0846-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qM6kW9ZRMRkC |ref={{sfnref|Behera, Demystifying Kashmir|2007}}}}
* {{citation |last1=Fair |first1=C. Christine |title=Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies: Insights from the Khalistan and Tamil Eelam Movements |journal=Nationalism and Ethnic Politics |volume=11 |date=2005 |pages=125–156 |doi=10.1080/13537110590927845 |s2cid=145552863 |ref={{sfnref|Fair, Diaspora Involvement in Insurgencies|2005}}}}
* {{citation |last=Haqqani |first=Husain |author-link=Husain Haqqani |title=Pakistan: Between Mosque and Military |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nYppZ_dEjdIC |date=2010 |publisher=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace |isbn=978-0-87003-285-1 |ref={{sfnref|Haqqani, Pakistan Between the Mosque and Military|2010}}}}
* {{citation |last=Jodhka |first=Surinder S. |date=21 April 2001 |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}}
* {{citation |last=Jolly |first=Surjit |title=Sikh Revivalist Movements |year=1988 |publisher=Gitanjali Publishing House |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fI7XAAAAMAAJ |ref={{sfnref|Jolly, Sikh Revivalist Movements|1988}} |isbn=978-81-85060-23-1 |access-date=24 December 2018 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072139/https://books.google.com/books?id=fI7XAAAAMAAJ |url-status=live}}
* {{citation |last=Mahmood |first=Cynthia Keppley |title=Fighting for Faith and Nation |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press |date=1996 |series=Series in Contemporary Ethnography |isbn=978-0-8122-1592-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8QufTc6fAocC |access-date=29 August 2020 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072142/https://books.google.com/books?id=8QufTc6fAocC |url-status=live}}
* {{citation |last1=Pettigrew |first1=Joyce |title=The Sikhs of the Punjab: Unheard Voices of State and Guerrilla Violence |date=1995 |publisher=Zed Books |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7VBuAAAAMAAJ |ref={{sfnref|Pettigrew, The Sikhs of the Punjab|1995}} |isbn=978-1-85649-355-0}}
* {{citation |first=Gurharpal |last=Singh |title=Ethnic Conflict in India: A Case-Study of Punjab |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vOyHDAAAQBAJ |date=2000 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan UK |isbn=978-0-333-98177-1 |ref={{sfnref|Gurharpal Singh, Ethnic Conflict in India|2000}} |access-date=3 December 2018 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330072051/https://books.google.com/books?id=vOyHDAAAQBAJ |url-status=live}}
* {{cite book |last1=Sirrs |first1=Owen L. |title=Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate: Covert Action and Internal Operations |date=2016 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-19609-9 |page=167 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_S-TDAAAQBAJ&q=bhindranwale%20ISI&pg=PA167 |ref={{harvid|Sirrs, Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate|2016}}}}
* {{citation |last=Talbot |first=Ian |title=India and Pakistan: Inventing the Nation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ccywQgAACAAJ |year=2000 |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic |isbn=978-0-340-70633-6 |ref={{sfnref|Talbot, India and Pakistan|2000}} |access-date=3 December 2018 |archive-date=7 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207214512/https://books.google.com/books?id=ccywQgAACAAJ |url-status=live}}
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{{refend}}

==Further reading==
=== Primary sources ===
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite book |last=Gill |first=Kanwar Pal Singh |author-link=Kanwar Pal Singh Gill |title=Punjab, the Knights of Falsehood |url=http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/publication/nightsoffalsehood/falsehood4.htm |year=1997 |publisher=Har-Anand Publications |access-date=20 January 2019 |archive-date=14 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014135815/http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/publication/nightsoffalsehood/falsehood4.htm |url-status=live}}
* Julio Ribeiro. ''Bullet for Bullet: My Life as a Police Officer.'' New Delhi: Penguin Books, 1999.
* [http://www.sikhtimes.com/news_061605a.html The Ghost of Khalistan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181204053015/http://www.sikhtimes.com/news_061605a.html |date=4 December 2018 }} – ''Sikh Times''
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{{refend}}

==External links==
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