Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a designated Khalistani terrorist and leader of the extremist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), continues to issue violent threats with alarming frequency. His latest came on Monday, 21st October, when he warned passengers not to board Air India flights between 1st and 19th November, claiming that attacks could be imminent. This threat is not an isolated incident, as Pannun has repeatedly made similar declarations of violence, attempting to sow fear and instability.
Despite being a wanted terrorist in India, Pannun operates freely out of the United States and Canada, countries where he holds dual citizenship. His group, SFJ, has been at the forefront of promoting the secessionist Khalistan movement, which seeks to carve out a separate Sikh state from India. While India has rightfully designated him a terrorist, Western nations seem to let his calls for violence go unpunished under the protection of free speech laws. This leniency is dangerous, as it sets a precedent that undermines global security and emboldens extremists.
Did Gurpatwant Singh Pannun just confirm that his banned terrorist organisation Sikhs for Justice has been 'communicating' with Trudeau's office for the last 2 to 3 years?
— Devika Chopra 🖊 (@ilah108) October 17, 2024
Yes he did. Pannun is a designated terrorist in India.
1- He runs Sikhs for Justice, an organisation… pic.twitter.com/23NUcBpuEZ
Escalating Threats in a Tense Diplomatic Climate
Pannun’s threats come at a particularly volatile time. Tensions between India and Canada have reached new heights following accusations by the Canadian government that India was involved in the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. Pannun, capitalizing on these tensions, has sought to exploit the discord, framing his cause as a fight for justice and independence. However, his methods—promoting violence and issuing threats of terrorist attacks—are far from just.
The latest warning to Air India passengers is particularly chilling given the recent wave of bomb threats targeting Indian airlines. While these have so far been hoaxes, Pannun’s open call for violence cannot be taken lightly. In November 2023, he claimed that the Indira Gandhi International Airport would be closed and its name changed, issuing threats specifically to Air India flights on 19th November. Such statements have drawn the attention of India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA), which has charged him with several crimes, including criminal conspiracy and promoting enmity between different religious groups under India’s stringent anti-terrorism laws, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
In December 2023, Pannun’s threats escalated further when he declared his intent to attack the Indian Parliament before 13th December, the anniversary of the 2001 attack on the same institution by Pakistani terrorists. More recently, he has directly threatened the lives of prominent Indian leaders, including the Chief Minister of Punjab, Bhagwant Mann, and the state’s Director General of Police, Gaurav Yadav, calling for their assassination by January 2024. This demonstrates a clear pattern of violent intent, yet Pannun continues to evade justice in Western countries.
The West’s Dangerous Inaction Under the Banner of Free Speech
Despite these repeated and explicit calls for violence, Pannun remains a free man in the United States and Canada, operating under the legal protection of free speech laws. This leniency is not just a failure of Western policy but a dangerous oversight that allows extremist ideology to thrive unchecked. Free speech is a cornerstone of democracy, but it must not be used as a shield for individuals advocating terrorism.
Pannun’s case raises important questions about the limits of free speech when it directly threatens the safety of others. The ability of extremists like him to openly encourage violent acts without facing significant consequences is a growing concern, particularly as his influence could inspire others to take up arms or carry out attacks. By allowing Pannun to continue spreading fear and hate, the West is sending a troubling message—that those who call for violence against a foreign nation can do so with impunity as long as they are protected by free speech laws.
This approach not only undermines the rule of law but also erodes the trust between nations in the fight against global terrorism. It is critical to recognize that the free speech argument cannot and should not be extended to those who openly promote violence, conspiracy, and terrorism. The ongoing diplomatic fallout between India and Canada is, in part, a reflection of this misguided tolerance.
The Global Implications of Ignoring Extremism
Ignoring extremists like Pannun, who continue to incite violence and sow discord, has far-reaching implications. It emboldens other groups and individuals with violent agendas, who see that threats and terror campaigns can be carried out with little consequence. It also weakens the global fight against terrorism, making cooperation between nations more difficult when extremists are sheltered under the pretense of free speech.
The situation with Pannun highlights a broader problem that needs urgent attention: the misuse of Western democratic values to protect those who seek to destroy them. While freedom of expression is a cherished right, it is not absolute, particularly when it poses a direct threat to human life and national security. Western nations need to revisit their policies regarding individuals like Pannun and strike a balance between protecting free speech and preventing the spread of extremist ideologies.
Time for Action
The failure to act decisively against Pannun, despite his long history of incitement and terrorism, is a dangerous oversight by the West. The protection of free speech should never be extended to those who use it to promote violence and terrorism. By allowing Pannun to continue issuing threats from the safety of foreign soil, Western nations are not only endangering Indian lives but also setting a dangerous precedent for the global fight against extremism.
It is time for the West to acknowledge the threat posed by individuals like Pannun and take action to hold them accountable. Failing to do so will only embolden further acts of extremism, both at home and abroad. The world cannot afford to let violent rhetoric slide under the banner of free speech any longer.
