Long Island, NY:In a disturbing turn of events, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, the Indian Ambassador to the United States, faced an alleged incident of heckling by a group supporting the Khalistan movement during his visit to the Hicksville Gurdwara in Long Island, New York. The confrontation occurred as Sandhu sought to offer prayers on the occasion of Gurpurab, a significant Sikh festival.
The incident unfolded as a mob, reportedly sympathetic to the Khalistan cause, confronted Ambassador Sandhu at the gurdwara. Video footage circulating on social media showed heated exchanges, with the group making accusations against Sandhu, linking him to India-designated terrorists Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
Bharatiya Janata Party national spokesperson RP Singh shared his perspective on social media, asserting that the pro-Khalistan group attempted to heckle Ambassador Sandhu with baseless questions, accusing him of involvement in a failed plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and the Khalistan Referendum campaign.
Despite the tense situation, Ambassador Sandhu left the premises without directly addressing the incident. Later on social media, he shared his experience of participating in Gurpurab celebrations at the Guru Nanak Darbar of Long Island. Sandhu expressed his privilege in joining the local Sangat (community), highlighting the significance of Guru Nanak’s message of togetherness, unity, and equality.
Growing Pro-Khalistan Activities:
This incident adds to the growing number of pro-Khalistan activities observed globally, with incidents reported in countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Related Developments:
Pro-Khalistan Protest in Surrey:Members of the Indo-Canadian community confronted pro-Khalistan elements during a consular camp in Surrey, British Columbia. The counter-protest, involving nearly 200 individuals, faced off against a pro-Khalistan protest organized by the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) secessionist group.
Arson Attack on Indian Consulate: In July, Khalistan extremists conducted an arson attack on the Indian consulate in San Francisco. India subsequently requested evidence from US authorities under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) regarding the suspects involved in the attack.
Heckling of Indian High Commissioner in the UK: Earlier in September, Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Vikram Doraiswami faced a similar incident. A pro-Khalistani activist was seen blocking Doraiswami from entering a Gurdwara in Glasgow, Scotland.
These incidents have raised concerns about the safety and security of Indian diplomats abroad, prompting diplomatic responses from the Indian government. The occurrences indicate a renewed focus on addressing the complexities surrounding the pro-Khalistan movement globally.
