New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh/Rajeev Sharma): With India preparing to celebrate Independence Day, separatist figure Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has stepped up his anti-India rhetoric, making provocative remarks from Pakistan and calling for disruption of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flag-hoisting ceremony on August 15.
Addressing the Lahore Press Club, Pannun reportedly announced a $1,000 reward for anyone who succeeds in preventing the Prime Minister from hoisting the Tricolour. He also used the occasion to push his long-standing demand for a separate Khalistan and made a series of claims about Punjab, the Indian armed forces and the country’s political leadership.
Separatist pitch extends beyond Punjab
During the address, Pannun spoke about establishing a separate Sikh state and proposed the creation of a force that he called the “Sikh Homeland Security Defensive Force.”
He also spoke of a broader territorial agenda, claiming that the alleged liberation of Punjab would pave the way for further changes in the region. In another provocative reference, he suggested Shimla could serve as the capital of a proposed “Democratic Republic of Khalistan”.
Pannun also referred to Delhi and the Red Fort while talking about his vision for a separate state.
Claims about Sikh soldiers remain unverified
A portion of his address focused on Sikh personnel serving in the Indian Army. Pannun alleged that Sikh soldiers had been urged not to engage Pakistan during a recent period of India-Pakistan tensions.
He claimed that information on nearly 1,800 Sikh soldiers had been gathered and alleged that hundreds subsequently faced court-martial proceedings.
However, no official confirmation from the Indian Army or the Ministry of Defence has been cited to substantiate these claims.
Pannun raises allegations involving Punjab
The separatist leader also repeated a number of allegations concerning Punjab’s social and economic situation.
He accused the Indian government of deliberately weakening the state’s Sikh population through what he described as “drug warfare”, “debt warfare” and “demographic warfare”.
Pannun alleged that narcotics and weapons were being used to undermine young people in Punjab. He also attributed farmer suicides and economic difficulties in the state to an alleged government strategy.
Another claim centred on migration, with Pannun alleging that Sikh youth were being encouraged to leave Punjab while people from other parts of India were being settled there.
The claims formed part of his political narrative and were not accompanied by independently verified evidence in the remarks cited.
Christians also brought into separatist narrative
Pannun’s speech was not limited to the Khalistan issue. He also referred to alleged attacks on Christians in India around Christmas last year.
He claimed that he had raised the issue with US President Donald Trump and advocated a separate entity comprising the northeastern states. He reportedly suggested the name “Trump Land” for the proposed territory.
Security focus ahead of Independence Day
Pannun’s latest remarks come at a time when security agencies are preparing for Independence Day celebrations across the country.
His call to interfere with the Prime Minister’s flag-hoisting ceremony, coupled with the announcement of a monetary reward, gives the remarks an added security dimension ahead of August 15.
Pannun and his organisation, Sikhs for Justice, have long campaigned for Khalistan. India has designated him a terrorist under its legal framework.
The latest statement is therefore likely to be closely monitored by security and intelligence agencies as the country prepares for Independence Day.
