Sikh activist in UK told to increase security over Hindu nationalist threats

UK Police Warn Sikh Activist of Increased Security Measures Due to Hindu Nationalist Threats

A prominent Sikh activist in the UK has been warned by police to increase security measures at his home due to threats from Hindu nationalist elements. Paramjeet Singh Pamma, 52, who is a key figure in the Khalistan movement, has reported receiving verbal advice from police to bolster his security after intelligence suggested that he was facing threats to his safety.

Pamma's claims come as the UK is strengthening its ties with India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist government. The two countries have recently signed a trade deal, and the UK sees India as a key partner in balancing China's growing power.

According to Pamma, the threats are linked to the Indian government, which has long been concerned about the Sikh nationalist movement seeking an independent Sikh state known as Khalistan. Indian officials describe this movement as terrorist and a threat to national security.

Pamma himself has faced numerous threats and intimidation since moving to the UK, including receiving threatening phone calls and visitors arriving at his home with guns in broad daylight. In one instance, his neighbors reported that visitors told them Pamma had to stop his activism or he would be killed.

The police have advised Pamma to install security cameras at his home and reinforce door locks due to intelligence suggesting threats to his safety. However, the UK government has been criticized for not taking sufficient action to address these threats.

In 2023, a Birmingham-based Sikh activist died suddenly after complaining of harassment by Indian police over the phone and threats to his family in Punjab. The death was initially ruled as natural causes but subsequent investigations have raised suspicions about foul play.

Pamma claims that the UK government is not doing enough to protect its citizens from threats from foreign governments, citing examples such as the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada and the attempted assassination of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the US. He believes that the UK's response has been too slow and inadequate.

"It seems they're being very diplomatic and waiting for the right time to use it as a political leverage rather than thinking about safety," Pamma said. "If people like us are being threatened and quietened to this degree, this idea somehow that they can seek British interest in that region through diplomatic channels is fundamentally flawed."

The Indian government has declined to comment on the allegations, but experts say that the threat landscape for dissidents in the UK is becoming increasingly complex.

Foreign governments are increasingly targeting dissidents on UK soil, and the number of investigations into state threats has grown by 48% since 2022. The UK's human rights committee has listed India as a country of concern alongside China and Russia.

The situation highlights the growing tensions between the UK and India over issues such as Kashmir and the Sikh nationalist movement. As the two countries continue to strengthen their ties, there are concerns about the impact on British citizens who are vocal critics of Indian policies.

what's going on in the UK with all these threats from Hindu nationalists? I mean, I get it that India is a big deal for them and all, but shouldn't they be more worried about actual terrorists than people like Paramjeet Singh Pamma who are just trying to express their opinions? It's not like he's asking for independence or anything crazy like that...
And can we talk about how the UK government is being super diplomatic about this whole thing? Like, I get it they don't want to rock the boat with India, but isn't it better to actually protect its citizens from threats rather than just waiting for the "right" moment to act?
And seriously, if you're gonna sign a trade deal with someone who's got a history of silencing dissidents, shouldn't that be a major concern for you? I mean, what's next? Are we gonna start accepting threats from China or Russia just because it's "diplomatic"?

I'm really concerned about what's going down with Paramjeet Singh Pamma and other activists in the UK . These threats from Hindu nationalist elements are getting out of hand and it's not just Pamma, many others like him have faced intimidation and harassment too . The police warning him to increase security measures is a good start, but what's being done about the real issues here?

The UK government needs to take these threats seriously and not just play politics with people's lives . I'm all for diplomatic relations with India, but that shouldn't come at the cost of human rights . It's getting too complicated in this world, but someone has to speak up about it .

It's also interesting to see how the situation is being framed - as if Indian nationalists are a force to be reckoned with . Meanwhile, we're seeing more and more foreign governments using their influence to silence dissenting voices . We need to stay vigilant and stand up for what's right, no matter where we come from .

omg this is so concerning ! Paramjeet Singh Pamma's story is a huge red flag for us. i mean, the UK is basically saying "okay, we'll turn a blind eye to threats against our citizens if they're coming from hindu nationalist elements" that's not what being a safe and inclusive society is all about as a global community, we need to stand together against any form of bullying or intimidation. it's time for the UK gov to step up their game and take these threats seriously #JusticeForParamjeet #SafetyMatters

Wow - it's crazy that a Sikh activist is being warned by police due to threats from Hindu nationalists . I mean, can't people just express their opinions without being targeted? It's like, they're being forced to live in fear because of their activism. Interesting

I'm so worried about Paramjeet Singh Pamma he's just trying to speak out for what he believes in and now he's being warned by police to increase security measures due to threats from Hindu nationalists it's not right that he has to be constantly on the lookout for his safety. I wish the UK government would take more action to protect its citizens, especially those who are vulnerable like Pamma. It's not fair that he has to compromise his activism just because of the current tensions between the UK and India

uUKs weak response 2 threats from hindu nationalists is a major concern. its not just pamma but many british sikh activists have faced similar threats & intimidation. police should be doing more 2 protect these ppl instead of just advising them 2 increase security measures the uk govts silence on this issue is deafening... meanwhile india's nationalist government is getting away w/whatever it wants

This is getting crazy man. If they're warning someone just 'cause of Hindu nationalist threats, what's next? Are they gonna tell everyone with a different opinion to be extra careful? I mean, I get it, security is important but it feels like the UK government is just trying to placate India without taking real action. And let's not forget about that Sikh activist who died suspiciously... it's fishy. The police are being too cautious, in my opinion. They should be cracking down on these threats instead of telling people to increase security measures. It's like they're waiting for someone to get hurt before they do anything.

man... this is some heavy stuff. I mean, can you blame Pamma for being worried? These Hindu nationalist elements are threatening his safety and it's not like he's doing anything wrong. The whole Khalistan movement thing is pretty complex, but at the end of the day, it's about people wanting independence from India.

I feel bad for the guy who died in Birmingham last year. That was a tragedy and it shows just how serious things can get when you're speaking out against a government that doesn't want to listen. And now Pamma's getting this warning from the police? It's like they're saying, "Hey, we know you're not doing anything wrong, but maybe tone it down a bit."

It's also crazy that the Indian government isn't commenting on this. I mean, come on guys, if there's something fishy going on, at least acknowledge it. And what's with the UK's response being so slow? It feels like they're just trying to appease India and avoid rocking the boat.

I don't know about you guys, but it seems like dissidents in the UK are getting a bad rap lately. They're not terrorists or anything, they're just people who care deeply about their communities and want to make a difference. We should be supporting them, not fearing them.

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
The situation with Paramjeet Singh Pamma highlights how history is repeating itself - threats against UK-based Sikh activists are becoming increasingly common, and authorities seem to be struggling to keep up with the changing landscape of global politics. It's a stark reminder that we're living in uncertain times, where national security concerns can lead to a chilling impact on individual freedoms. The police warning to Pamma is just one example of how vulnerable UK citizens can become when they speak out against foreign governments.

i mean come on, india is just getting desperate cuz they can't control what's going on in kashmir & all these hindu nationalists r just a bunch of trolls . u think threats from india would stop anyone? paramjeet singh pamma is just speaking truth to power, like most sikh activists do. the uk should be protecting him not warning him to hide more . btw, hardeep singh nijjar's death was a clear case of foul play, dont even try 2 deny it

Wow this is getting outta hand, threats from Hindu nationalists against a Sikh activist in the UK, sounds super intense . The fact that they're being told by police to step up security but the government's not doing enough about it is just weird . What if these guys are actually just trying to silence people who are speaking out? It feels like there's this huge power imbalance going on here .

this is getting crazy in the UK its not just Pamma but a lot of other sikh activists getting threats too and the govt is not doing enough to protect them they need to step up their game and take these threats seriously security cameras at home arent gonna cut it here we need real action not just empty words from politicians

I'm not buying this "Hindu nationalist threat" excuse . It's just another way for the Indian government to silence dissenting voices and avoid accountability for their own human rights abuses. If Paramjeet Singh Pamma is really being threatened, it's because he's speaking out against India's oppressive policies, not because of some supposed Hindu nationalist "threat". The UK's response should be about protecting his safety, not covering up the government's own failures to address the issue. And let's not forget that India is basically creating a proxy war in Kashmir , so it's time for the UK to take a firmer stance against human rights abuses.

This is so scary for Paramjeet Singh Pamma ! The police need to do more than just give him advice to increase security measures at his home . They should be taking real action to protect him from these threats . It's not right that he has to live like this because of his activism . We should all be supporting him and standing with him in the face of intimidation . Can't we just say that everyone deserves safety and protection, regardless of their views?

I'm really worried about Paramjeet Singh Pamma's safety and that of other Sikh activists in the UK. It's scary to think that they're facing threats from Hindu nationalist elements just because they're speaking out against India's government actions. But on a silver lining, it's great that the police are taking notice and advising him to step up security measures. That shows there are people who care about his safety, right? And I love how Pamma is standing up for himself and others like him - it's inspiring! We should all be proud of him for speaking out against injustice, even if it means putting himself at risk.

can u believe its like this? they're warning him of increased security measures but its not just about his safety it's also about silencing people who speak out against indian gov... its a total overreach by uk authorities, in my opinion the police should be more pro active than just advising him to put up some cameras. and what about all those sikh activists who have already lost their lives because of indian gov's aggression? it feels like they're trying to create a climate of fear so people dont dare speak out against them...

omg this is getting crazy in the uk people like paramjeet singh pamma being threatened by hindu nationalist elements just because they're speaking out against the indian government is totally unacceptable . i mean, whats next? more police crackdowns on peaceful protests and dissenting voices?

anyway, i think the uk gov needs to step up its game and protect citizens like pamma from foreign interference . it's not just about india, but other countries that are also trying to silence critics of their governments . we need more transparency and action on state threats, not just diplomatic talk .

u can read more about this in the guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...eives-warnings-over-hindu-nationalist-threats

man it's so scary for ppl like paramjeet singh pamma they're literally living in fear because of indian govt threats and the uk government is all like "oh no, we need to be diplomatic" meanwhile ppl are dying i remember when hardeep singh nijjar died in canada it was a huge scandal and now this is happening again in the uk what's going on? why can't they just protect their citizens india seems to be getting away with murder but the uk government is all like "oh no, we have to be friends with india" it's so frustrating

You know what they say, 'you can't have your cake and eat it too' ... or in this case, you can't be friends with India without having some Sikh activists worried about their safety . Paramjeet Singh Pamma is like the Indian government's worst nightmare - a vocal critic who won't shut up! I mean, if they're really that concerned about national security, maybe they should focus on keeping their own citizens safe instead of trying to silence critics abroad .

And can we talk about how convenient it is for the UK to suddenly care about security measures when they have a trade deal with India? It's like they're saying, 'oh no, we need to make sure our friends in India are safe... but only after we've signed this huge trade deal' . I mean, come on, can't they see through the diplomatic spin?