Inderjeet Singh Gosal, a prominent activist associated with the Khalistani movement and the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) organization, led a protest against the Indian government on Wednesday. The demonstration, held in a major city, was part of a broader series of protests organized by SFJ to demand the establishment of an independent Sikh state, Khalistan, and to highlight alleged human rights abuses against Sikhs in India.
Gosal, a well-known figure in the global Sikh diaspora, has been actively involved in the Khalistani movement, which seeks to create a separate homeland for Sikhs in the Punjab region of India. His involvement with SFJ, an organization banned in India but active in several countries around the world, has made him a controversial figure. The Indian government has accused SFJ of promoting separatism and terrorism, allegations that the group vehemently denies.
During the protest, Gosal and other demonstrators raised slogans against the Indian government, accusing it of suppressing Sikh rights and persecuting those who support the Khalistani cause. The protestors carried placards and banners demanding justice for Sikhs and the right to self-determination, a principle they argue has been denied to the Sikh community since India gained independence in 1947.
The protest, which was peaceful, attracted a significant number of participants, including members of the Sikh community and other supporters of the Khalistani movement. Demonstrators expressed their frustration with what they see as the Indian government’s refusal to acknowledge the grievances of Sikhs and its alleged role in the suppression of Sikh identity and autonomy.
Speaking to reporters during the protest, Gosal criticized the Indian government for its stance on Sikh issues, particularly in relation to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, which many in the Sikh community consider a genocide. Gosal accused the Indian authorities of failing to bring those responsible for the violence to justice and of continuing to marginalize Sikhs in various ways.
“The Indian government has consistently ignored the legitimate demands of the Sikh community,” Gosal said. “We are here to demand justice, to demand our rights, and to make it clear that the Sikh people will not be silenced. The demand for Khalistan is not just about territory; it is about ensuring that Sikhs can live with dignity and freedom.”
The SFJ has been campaigning for a referendum among Sikhs worldwide to gauge support for the creation of Khalistan. While the Indian government has dismissed the referendum as illegitimate and unconstitutional, SFJ and its supporters argue that it is a necessary step towards achieving self-determination for the Sikh people.
The protest led by Gosal is part of a broader series of actions planned by SFJ and other Khalistani groups in the coming months. These actions are expected to include rallies, public awareness campaigns, and lobbying efforts aimed at gaining international support for the Khalistani cause. SFJ has also been active in organizing legal challenges against Indian officials in foreign courts, accusing them of human rights violations against Sikhs.
However, the Khalistani movement remains a deeply divisive issue, both within the Sikh community and in the broader Indian context. While some Sikhs support the idea of an independent Khalistan, others oppose it, arguing that it would be detrimental to the unity and stability of India. The Indian government, for its part, has consistently rejected the Khalistani movement, labeling it as a threat to national security and accusing its supporters of trying to destabilize the country.
As the protest ended peacefully, Gosal and other organizers vowed to continue their efforts, promising that the voice of the Sikh people would not be silenced. “We will keep fighting until our demands are met,” Gosal declared. “The struggle for Khalistan will continue, and we will not rest until justice is served.”
