UK Authorities Warn Sikh Activist of Increased Security Measures Amid Hindu Nationalist Threats
A prominent Sikh activist in the UK, Paramjeet Singh Pamma, has been advised by police to install security cameras at his home and reinforce door locks due to intelligence suggesting threats to his safety. The threats, according to Pamma, are linked to the Indian government and are part of a broader pattern of transnational repression against dissidents.
Pamma, 52, is a key figure in the Khalistan movement, which advocates for an independent Sikh state that is outlawed in India. The Indian government has described the movement as terrorist and a threat to national security. Pamma's claims come as the UK pursues a closer relationship with Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist government.
According to MI5, foreign governments are increasingly targeting dissidents on UK soil, and the number of investigations into state threats has grown by 48% since 2022. The Indian embassy declined to comment on the matter.
Pamma's situation is not unique; two other Sikh nationalists based in the UK have also been advised to increase their security measures due to credible threats to their safety. Gurcharan Singh, a prominent activist, was told by police that it was not safe to attend a planned protest against the Indian foreign minister's visit to London.
The Indian government has long been concerned about the Sikh nationalist movement and campaigns for a Sikh homeland known as Khalistan. In 2023, another Birmingham-based Sikh activist, Avtar Singh Khanda, died suddenly after complaining of harassment by Indian police. A postmortem report found that the cause of death was cancer, but Pamma believes there are striking similarities between his wife's death and that of Avtar Singh Khanda.
Pamma has been a vocal critic of the UK government's handling of transnational repression cases involving India. He believes that the government is not taking adequate measures to protect the safety of Sikh nationalists and is instead using diplomacy as a means to balance China's growing power.
The situation highlights the complex and often fraught relationship between the UK government, Indian authorities, and the Sikh nationalist movement. As tensions escalate, it remains to be seen how the UK will balance its relationships with both countries while ensuring the safety of its citizens.
A prominent Sikh activist in the UK, Paramjeet Singh Pamma, has been advised by police to install security cameras at his home and reinforce door locks due to intelligence suggesting threats to his safety. The threats, according to Pamma, are linked to the Indian government and are part of a broader pattern of transnational repression against dissidents.
Pamma, 52, is a key figure in the Khalistan movement, which advocates for an independent Sikh state that is outlawed in India. The Indian government has described the movement as terrorist and a threat to national security. Pamma's claims come as the UK pursues a closer relationship with Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist government.
According to MI5, foreign governments are increasingly targeting dissidents on UK soil, and the number of investigations into state threats has grown by 48% since 2022. The Indian embassy declined to comment on the matter.
Pamma's situation is not unique; two other Sikh nationalists based in the UK have also been advised to increase their security measures due to credible threats to their safety. Gurcharan Singh, a prominent activist, was told by police that it was not safe to attend a planned protest against the Indian foreign minister's visit to London.
The Indian government has long been concerned about the Sikh nationalist movement and campaigns for a Sikh homeland known as Khalistan. In 2023, another Birmingham-based Sikh activist, Avtar Singh Khanda, died suddenly after complaining of harassment by Indian police. A postmortem report found that the cause of death was cancer, but Pamma believes there are striking similarities between his wife's death and that of Avtar Singh Khanda.
Pamma has been a vocal critic of the UK government's handling of transnational repression cases involving India. He believes that the government is not taking adequate measures to protect the safety of Sikh nationalists and is instead using diplomacy as a means to balance China's growing power.
The situation highlights the complex and often fraught relationship between the UK government, Indian authorities, and the Sikh nationalist movement. As tensions escalate, it remains to be seen how the UK will balance its relationships with both countries while ensuring the safety of its citizens.
! like, who knew being a Sikh activist in the UK could be so drama-filled? 
and what's up with all these threats from the Indian government? it's like they're trying to intimidate people into shutting up. but seriously, 48% more investigations since 2022 is wild 
i can imagine how scary it must feel to have threats against his life and safety just because he's speaking out against the indian government 
what a huge burden to carry on top of everything else he must be feeling so alone and unsure if he's doing the right thing 
but we should totally believe him and support him in any way we can 
maybe we can all try to stay informed about what's going on and raise awareness for human rights and transnational repression issues 
security should be a right not a privilege... 
india is cracking down on anyone who speaks up against their government, no wonder they're targeting british sikh activists now 
i feel for paramjeet singh pamma and gurcharan singh, their safety should be the priority 
not some diplomatic game between china and india 
something fishy is going on, we need more transparency from british authorities and indian government 
. 48% increase in investigations into state threats since 2022? that's not exactly reassuring... what's taking the uk govt so long to acknowledge the real danger here? and now they're telling him to install security cameras like he's some kind of domestic terrorist 
. it's just more proof that they're not taking the indian gov's threats seriously enough, and that's a major problem 
.
, actual protection is key 
its like the uk gov is so scared of india they cant even be bothered to protect their own citizens anymore 
this is getting outta hand... someone needs to step up and create a safe space for these activists to express themselves without fear of retribution 
. we need some real action taken here, not just warnings and "increased security measures" 
? It's like, what's going on with the global politics right now?! The Indian gov is super cozy with Modi's Hindu nationalist crew, but at what cost to innocent people like Paramjeet Singh Pamma? 
. The fact that two other Sikhs have also received security threats is just a cherry on top of a toxic mix of politics and power 
. It's time for them to step up and take a firm stance on protecting its citizens' rights 
.
so its like they want this guy to live in a fishbowl at home or somethin 
, i get that threats are bad but security cameras and reinforced doors are a lil extreme 
and another thing whats with all these "threats" from India 
, cant they just communicate like normal humans without resortin to intimidation tactics? 
i mean paramjeet singh pamma is just tryna advocate 4 a fair deal 4 sikh homeland but india's all like "terrorist this" 
Paramjeet Singh Pamma's situation is really scary, especially considering he's just trying to speak out against human rights issues in India 
Can't we just focus on making the world a safer place for everyone, regardless of nationality or ideology? 
. And what's up with the Indian government saying Khalistan is terrorist and stuff? It's all so... complicated 
? Not cool, UK 
. But 48% increase in investigations into state threats? That's wild 
. The UK government needs to get its act together and start taking these cases seriously, especially when it comes to Sikh nationalists who are being targeted for speaking out 
this is a worrying sign for anyone who advocates for freedom & change, especially in a country like India where dissenting voices are silenced 
where one side's not doing enough to protect its own citizens but just trying to shift the blame or control the narrative 
. The fact that MI5 is investigating state threats on UK soil is super worrying 
. The Khalistan movement might be a contentious issue, but shouldn't we be prioritizing the safety of our citizens over diplomatic relations with other countries?