By TSAT report

NEW DELHI (TSAT) - Indian media warned the Hindu nationalist BJP led-government that its anti-minorities policies could lead the country into the division as Sikhs freedom “Khalistan movement” gains momentum inside and outside India.  

A leading Indian newspaper, The Hindu, in its recent editorial wrote that symbols of Sikh separatism placed on Himachal Pradesh Assembly complex in Dharamshala on Sunday show that forces promoting it are active and capable to move it on. 

The daily said that following Prime Minister Indira Gandhi assassination violence against Sikhs spread and huge human and political losses had paid during the operations against Sikhs freedom fighters decades ago.

“Those wounds continue to fester, and care must be taken by the state, political actors and community leaders to ensure that history does not repeat itself as yet another tragedy,” the daily said in its editorial.

Indian intelligence agencies again launched targeted operations last month against the Sikhs community in several states and reportedly arrested dozens of young Sikhs and accused them of allegedly links with the Khalistan movement. 

The anti-Sikhs operation has launched after clashes between extremist Hindus and Sikhs in Punjab province where the Sikhs later chanted slogans in support of Khalistan. 

Last week, Sikhs for Justice hold a referendum in Italy, and according to the Sikhs, leaders over 40,000 Sikhs participated in the polling to cast their votes in favor of Khalistan, a separate Sikhs state inside India. 

The Sikhs for Justice also announced to hold a referendum on Khalistan in Himachal Pradesh.

“They campaign among the Sikh diaspora, alleging mistreatment of the community by the Indian state. They have a favourable environment though. Domestic divisions in India, exacerbated by the politics and policy of the ruling BJP, are echoing among the diaspora in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia.

 “Religious minorities and Dalits have been disconnected from the diaspora mobilisation of the Indian government. Hindutva affiliates helm Indian diaspora politics,” The Hindu wrote. 

The media outlet warned that BJP portrayed the last year's farmer protest as Sikh’s anti-state move and tried to spread hatred against them.

On Sunday, Sikhs for Justice claimed responsibility for placing the flags on Himachal Pradesh Assembly gates and said they were sent through its activists.

Local police registered a case against the Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, chief of the pro-Khalistan Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

Sikh for Justice has already banned the Indian government and declared it a terrorist organization.

However, SFJ is active in several foreign countries and campaigning for the creation of a separate state in India.

Anti-minorities policies of the BJP government have pushed the Muslims, Sikhs, Dalits, and Christain to react and raise their voice for separate states inside India.

Last month, in several states, clashes erupted between the Hindus and Muslims after RSS affiliated groups carried out attacks on Muslim communities.

Later, the government launched an operation and destroyed dozens of houses, shops, and properties of Muslims.

- Background

The Khalistan movement is a Sikh freedom movement seeking to create a homeland for Sikhs by establishing a sovereign state, called Khālistān.

 
The movement was launched in 1940 during the British era. In 1980, it spread across the Sikh majority areas in India but in 1990, the Indian government launched an operation “Operation Blue Star” against the group and arrested most of its leaders.

 
However, the movement continued despite severe crackdowns against Sikhs by governments of the time. Sikh leaders living in Canada and other western countries are now holding their gatherings and demanding a separate state in India.
 
The movement has been gaining lot of traction lately due to execution of ultra-nationalistic policies against minorities in India by BJP government. The current crackdown is likely to further aggravate the security situation in the Sikh-dominated states of India.