Who is Gurpatwant Singh Pannun?
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is one of the main leaders of the Khalistan movement, which advocates a religiously independent state to break away from Punjab and many neighboring regions of India, called Khalistan.
He is the legal advisor and spokesman for Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), which aims to promote the idea of a separate Sikh state.
As of July 2020, India’s Ministry of Home Affairs has declared Pannun a terrorist for extremism and separatism, and has requested a red alert for him from Interpol.
Early Life
Pannun was born in the village of Khankot outside Amritsar, Punjab, India. In 2023, he claimed to be a dual citizen of the United States and Canada. Read also on Toyosi Adesanya Biography, Age, Net Worth 2024, Husband and Children
Career
Pannun has actively advocated for the Khalistan movement and has organized events and conferences in many parts of the world, including the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
He has also been involved in lawsuits against Indian authorities and corporations in international courts for alleged human rights violations against Sikhs.
In April 2023, in a video, he threatened Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Assam. In June 2023, several reports suggested that Panon had gone into hiding after the death of three top Khalistani leaders within two months.
According to the BBC, Pannun has published hundreds of videos criticizing India and has paid money to people who write anti-India graffiti or raise Khalistan flags on government buildings or desecrating the Indian flag.
In September 2023, he was recorded calling for the “political death” of Prime Minister Modi and his two ministers. Panon is also responsible for posters that read “Kill India” with the names and pictures of Indian diplomats. He has denied that the ads are inciting violence against the candidates.
In September 2023, a video was released in which Pannun warned Hindu-Canadian Hindus to leave Canada, accusing many of them of “not being loyal to Canada”. The video drew widespread criticism from Canadian politicians. Union party leaders Pierre Polivore and Jagmeet Singh and federal ministers condemned the video. Canada’s Public Safety Minister, Dominic LeBlanc, called the video “disgusting and disgusting”.
In November 2023, Pannun issued a threat to people planning to travel by Air India on November 19 (the date of the 2023 Cricket World Cup). In a video on social media, he said, “We request Sikhs not to fly with Air India on November 19.
There will be an international election. On November 19, don’t travel by Air India or your life will be in danger.” In response, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security of India directed airport operators in Delhi and Punjab, India to prohibit the entry of visitors in airports.
Shortly after, Canada’s Transport Minister, Pablo Rodriguez and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced an investigation into the threats. Spokesperson, Kristin Kelly, stated that the RCMP was collaborating with domestic and international partners and “industry stakeholders” in an investigation into “the threat against Air India flights.” Pannun stated that his message was about boycotting, not bombing Air India; he subsequently offered a $100,000 cash reward for a citizen’s arrest of the Indian High Commissioner, Sanjay Verma, accusing him of misrepresenting his earlier statements on Air India.
In November 2023, the British newspaper Financial Times (FT) reported that the United States authorities had “thwarted” a plot to kill Pannun in the United States, and the federal prosecutors had filed a sealed indictment against a suspect in a New York district court. The FT also reported that the US had issued a diplomatic warning to India over concerns that the Government of India was involved in the plot.
The report comes two months after Canada accused Indian officials of involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Najjar. A White House spokesperson confirmed that the US has discussed this issue with India after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US in June 2023. Home Affairs Minister Arindam Bagchi
In December, Pannun issued a statement threatening to shake the “foundation” of the Parliament building in New Delhi on or before December 13, the same day that the Indian Parliament was attacked last year 2001.
The Delhi Police said it was aware of the situation and was taking precautionary measures “to avoid untoward incidents”.
According to Indian media in January 2024, Pannun made threats against Bhagwant Mann, the current Chief Minister of Punjab.
In one video, Pannun compared Mann to former minister Bint Singh, who was murdered by Sikh militants. He also asked the government officials to join the Sikhs for Justice movement to stop the hoisting of the Indian flag during the Republic Day celebrations and called them “martyrs”. Addressing Prime Minister Modi in another video, he said, “I trust Modi, you are coming to Delhi without your security.
If you are a popular leader, come to Delhi. and insecurity on R-Day SFJ wanted to avenge the murder.” For the Punjab Police, Shaheed Najar is a constant threat and necessary measures are being taken against them.
Net Worth
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s net worth is said to be between $1 million and $5 million.
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