During an interview on 24 October 2024, the recalled Indian High Commissioner revealed he had been attacked with a sword by a Punjab separatist in Alberta, Canada.
This incident is not an isolated case.
Indian diplomats have increasingly faced threats from Khalistani separatist groups, especially in Canada, as well as in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and the USA. These groups have often restricted diplomats’ access to Gurdwaras, and some segments of the Sikh community, influenced by separatist ideologies, have exhibited hostility. Additionally, threatening posters calling for violence against Indian officials have circulated, creating an atmosphere of intimidation.
This report details nine instances of threats faced by Indian diplomats and leaders.
Instance #1
On 25 October 2024, amid the diplomatic standoff between Canada and India over the killing of designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Indian diplomat Sanjay Verma was recalled from Canada. Following his expulsion, Sikh for Justice (SFJ) leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun escalated tensions by announcing a $500,000 reward for information on Verma’s location and travel details, reportedly placing him under CIA watch.
📌 #BIG
Khalistani Terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun issues fresh threat against Recalled Indian High Commissioner to Canada Sanjay Verma.
Verma is under tight security protection.
Pannun announced $500,000 reward for Verma’s location & travel details under CIA watch. pic.twitter.com/61ciEU5PRH
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) October 25, 2024
Instance #2
On 14 October 2024, the group Sikh For Justice (SFJ) released a disturbing video depicting bullets fired at an image of Sanjay Verma, the Indian envoy to Canada. The video, which showed Verma’s photo being struck by gunfire, quickly surfaced on the social media platform X shortly after India’s Ministry of External Affairs summoned a Canadian diplomat in response to escalating tensions.
#BREAKING: Canadian Khalistani Terror Group SFJ issues fresh threat against Indian High Commissioner to Canada Sanjay Kumar Verma, releases video of his photo being pumped with bullets. Canadian Govt fails to act, refusing to investigate or act against the Khalistani terrorists. pic.twitter.com/GTJEfYsEWZ
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) October 14, 2024
Instance #3
On 8 July 2023, Sikh For Justice (SFJ)’s Gurpatwant Singh Pannun issued a threat against all Indian embassies, vowing to “besiege” Indian missions worldwide on India’s Independence Day. In a video released to announce plans for an upcoming “Khalistan Freedom Rally,” Pannun declared, “On August 15, the Sikh community is going to besiege every terror house that is an Indian embassy,“ emphasizing that this action was “just the start.”
Instance #4
On 23 July 2023, Sikh For Justice (SFJ) targeted Indian diplomats in Canada, including Sanjay Kumar Verma, India’s High Commissioner in Ottawa, and Apoorva Srivastava, Consul General in Toronto, as well as another official, Manish. In a poster circulated by Sikh extremists, these diplomats were accused of involvement in the killing of Khalistan Tiger Force chief and designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. SFJ also announced a $10,000 reward for information on the diplomats’ residential addresses.
Instance #5
On 10 September 2023, SFJ’s Gurpatwant Singh Pannun issued public threats against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Speaking at a gathering in Canada attended by approximately 5,000 to 7,000 people, Pannun’s threats fueled by SFJ’s separatist agenda targeting top Indian officials was distressing.
Look at this video of designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in protection of Canadian Security threatening Indian PM Modi, EAM Jaishankar, NSA Doval & HM Shah. 2-3 security officers are visible in the video. No doubt now Canada protects, shelters and sponsors Khalistanis. pic.twitter.com/Yd29xd2IXI
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) September 11, 2023
Instance #6
On 24 September 2023, posters calling for the killing of three Indian envoys—Apoorva Srivastava, Sanjay Verma, and Manish—were displayed at a Gurdwara in Surrey, Canada. This explicit threat further escalated concerns for the safety of Indian diplomats amid growing tensions in the region.
As India Canada tensions rise, authorities have asked radical Surrey Gurdwara to immediately remove all controversial Posters. These Posters had called for assassination of three Indian diplomats and had glorified Khalistani terr0rists #IndiaCanada #JustinTrudeau pic.twitter.com/97wZk2rdUN
— Rosy (@rose_k01) September 23, 2023
Instance #7
On 30 September 2023, Vikram Doraiswami, the Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, was barred from entering a Gurdwara in Scotland. This incident occurred amid an ongoing diplomatic row between India and Canada following the June 2023 killing of designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which heightened tensions involving Sikh separatist groups.
Indian H'Cmmnr to the UK Vikram Doraiswami was barred to enter Glasgow Gurdwara & was pushed to go-back. Khalistanis (assuming NSYF org) apparently had prior info of his visit.
Now its over to UK authorities how do they protect Indian diplomats & respond to K threats. pic.twitter.com/zmAe0Eod6B
— The Hawk Eye (@thehawkeyex) September 30, 2023
Instance #8
On 12 November 2023, Manish, the Consul General of India in Vancouver, Canada, faced harassment from Sikh activists, while Sikh For Justice (SFJ) founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun issued a new threat against him. In a video, Pannun, a designated terrorist, warned Manish of “sweet poetic justice” and accused him of “challenging the sovereignty of Canada” through alleged involvement in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Instance #9
On 9 January 2018, ninety-six Gurdwaras across the United States announced a ban on Indian officials, diplomats, and members of organizations like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Shiv Sena from entering their premises. The decision was declared by the Sikh Cultural Society in New York during an event commemorating the death anniversary of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassins. This announcement followed a teleconference involving a total of 116 Gurdwara management committees.
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