10 Incidents of Violence Against Sikhs By Islamists (2020–2024)

This report outlines ten significant incidents of attacks on Sikhs by Islamists between 2020 and 2024. The accounts highlight a range of violent and communal acts, from mob attacks to targeted killings, across various regions.

#1 – Knife Attack and Mob Violence in Bhopal, India

On 22 December 2024, a Sikh man in Bhopal was reportedly attacked with a knife by an Islamist youth named Faiz after being stopped for speeding on his bike. The altercation escalated when an Islamist mob pelted stones at a Sikh family, leaving six individuals injured. Police intervened to control the situation, deploying additional forces to maintain peace.

#2 – Protests Against Rebuilding a Gurdwara in Pakistan

In June 2024, tensions arose in Faisalabad, Pakistan when the Pakistani government approved the reconstruction of a gurdwara that had remained closed for 76 years. Members of the local Islamist community vehemently opposed the project, claiming, “Sikhs are our murderers… we will not let it be built.”

#3 – Sikh Shopkeeper Murdered in Peshawar, Pakistan

In June 2024, Manmohan Singh, a Sikh shopkeeper in Peshawar, was shot dead by armed men on motorcycles in the Yakatut area. The attack sparked outrage among the Sikh community, with NGOs like United Sikhs calling for enhanced security measures for minorities in Pakistan.

#4 – Attack Over Religious Symbols in Bilaspur, India

In May 2024, in the Talapara area of Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, often referred to as “Mini Pakistan” by locals, a Sikh man named Jeevandeep Singh was assaulted by an Islamic mob for wearing a Tulsi garland. Police later identified and arrested the perpetrators, including individuals named Raja Khan and Nafees.

#5 – Gurdwara Vandalized in Sindh, Pakistan

In July 2023, a mob forcibly entered a gurdwara in Sukkur, Sindh, Pakistan, disrupting religious proceedings and desecrating the Guru Granth Sahib. The incident led to protests by the local Sikh and Hindu communities, who demanded action against the culprits.

#6 – Sikh Family Assaulted in Nankana Sahib, Pakistan

In January 2023, at Nankana Sahib, Pakistan, a Sikh family near the Patti Sahib Gurdwara faced a violent attack by a group of Islamists over a parking dispute. Brothers Harvinder Singh and Satinder Singh were brutally beaten, and their turbans were torn. Police registered an FIR and initiated legal action against the attackers.

#7 – Gurdwara Converted Into a Mosque in Patiala, India

In April 2022, a gurdwara in Rajpur, Patiala in Punjab was reportedly taken over by local Islamists and converted into a mosque. The Sikh community claimed that the property had originally belonged to a Sikh family but was seized through intimidation.

#8 – Bomb Attack on Gurdwara in Kabul, Afghanistan

In June 2022, a bomb attack targeted a gurdwara in Karte Parwan, in Kabul, Afghanistan, killing two Sikhs and injuring several others. The attackers also entered the premises and opened fire indiscriminately, further escalating fears among the Sikh minority in Afghanistan.

#9 – Murder of Sikh Principal in Jammu and Kashmir, India

In October 2021, Supinder Kaur, a Sikh principal, was shot dead by terrorists at her school in the Idgah area, in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. Kaur, known for her support of a Muslim girl’s education, became a symbol of communal harmony. Protests ensued, with demands for justice for her family.

#10 – Threats and Vandalism at Gurdwara in the UK

In May 2020, a gurdwara in Derby, UK was vandalized by militants reportedly of Pakistani origin. The attackers damaged the property and left threatening messages targeting the Sikh community for their perceived stance on the Kashmir issue.

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