Sikh Activist in UK Receives Security Advice Amid Hindu Nationalist Threats
A prominent Sikh activist in the UK has been warned by police to increase his security measures due to threats from Hindu nationalist elements, according to sources close to the activist. Paramjeet Singh Pamma, 52, a figure in the Khalistan movement, which campaigns for an independent Sikh state outlawed in India, has reported receiving verbal advice from authorities.
Pamma claims that the threats are linked to the Indian government and accuse UK ministers of failing to take "relentless" transnational repression by India seriously. The Indian embassy declined to comment on the matter.
In a recent report, MI5 noted that foreign governments are increasingly targeting dissidents on UK soil, with 48% more investigations into state threats since 2022. India is listed as a country of concern alongside China and Russia in the joint committee on human rights' 2024-25 report on transnational repression.
Pamma's situation has sparked concerns among Sikh nationalists in the UK, who have also reported receiving security advice from police. Gurcharan Singh, another prominent Sikh nationalist activist, has been told by UK authorities that they are aware of credible threats to his safety and that attending certain events may not be safe due to potential risks.
The case highlights tensions between the UK government and the Indian government over issues related to national security and human rights. The UK has pursued a closer relationship with Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist government, seeing it as a key partner to balance China's growing power.
Pamma's claims come amid a backdrop of rising concerns about state threats and human rights abuses in India. In 2023, the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh activist, in Canada, was linked by intelligence agencies to Indian government agents. The US also accused an agent of the Indian government of directing the attempted assassination of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
The UK government has stated its commitment to protecting the safety of all citizens, including those from minority communities like Sikhs. However, critics argue that more needs to be done to address transnational repression and human rights abuses in India.
Pamma's experience highlights the need for greater awareness and action by authorities to protect the safety of individuals targeted by state threats and intimidation campaigns.
A prominent Sikh activist in the UK has been warned by police to increase his security measures due to threats from Hindu nationalist elements, according to sources close to the activist. Paramjeet Singh Pamma, 52, a figure in the Khalistan movement, which campaigns for an independent Sikh state outlawed in India, has reported receiving verbal advice from authorities.
Pamma claims that the threats are linked to the Indian government and accuse UK ministers of failing to take "relentless" transnational repression by India seriously. The Indian embassy declined to comment on the matter.
In a recent report, MI5 noted that foreign governments are increasingly targeting dissidents on UK soil, with 48% more investigations into state threats since 2022. India is listed as a country of concern alongside China and Russia in the joint committee on human rights' 2024-25 report on transnational repression.
Pamma's situation has sparked concerns among Sikh nationalists in the UK, who have also reported receiving security advice from police. Gurcharan Singh, another prominent Sikh nationalist activist, has been told by UK authorities that they are aware of credible threats to his safety and that attending certain events may not be safe due to potential risks.
The case highlights tensions between the UK government and the Indian government over issues related to national security and human rights. The UK has pursued a closer relationship with Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist government, seeing it as a key partner to balance China's growing power.
Pamma's claims come amid a backdrop of rising concerns about state threats and human rights abuses in India. In 2023, the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent Sikh activist, in Canada, was linked by intelligence agencies to Indian government agents. The US also accused an agent of the Indian government of directing the attempted assassination of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
The UK government has stated its commitment to protecting the safety of all citizens, including those from minority communities like Sikhs. However, critics argue that more needs to be done to address transnational repression and human rights abuses in India.
Pamma's experience highlights the need for greater awareness and action by authorities to protect the safety of individuals targeted by state threats and intimidation campaigns.