Emphasizing zero tolerance over illegitimate actions, MHA drags Sikhs for Justice in banned associations

New Delhi, July 11: Taking robust actions with zero tolerance over terror activities and unlawful actions, the Modi government made sure no one is spared for conducting such misdeeds against the country. Aligning a streak of groups linked with illegitimate conduct, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday declared Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a fringe group run by a few radical Sikhs of foreign nationality in the US, Canada, the UK etc, as an 'unlawful association'.

 

The Ministry of Home Affairs asserted that the government has made this declaration provision 3(1) of UAPA, Act 1967. The Centre took the decision to call Sikhs for Justice (SJF) as an unlawful association in consultation with the state governments, including Punjab. Major Sikh bodies also raised alarm over secessionist activities of the SFJ.

The Centre said Sikhs for Justice wanted to use Kartarpur Corridor for propagating their secessionist ideology. However there is no evidence from the neighbouring country Pakistan on curbing or banning this group. Keeping the safety of pilgrims as one of the top priorities, India has assured to raise the issue regarding their security during the Kartarpur talks on July 14.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Police and NIA busted several modules of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) indulging in various subversive activities in Punjab. Probe revealed that activists were radicalised and funded by foreign based SFJ handlers Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Harmeet Singh, and Paramjit Singh Pamma. As many as 12 cases have been filed and at least 39 people of SFJ have been arrested.

Many social media handles of SFJ have also been blocked. The SFJ and its secessionist campaign referendum 2020 is supported by Pakistan, sources further said, adding their official website was sharing and sourcing content from Karachi-based websites.