AI Generated Summary
- For a man who claims to champion Sikh rights, backing a policy that directly threatens the lifeblood of Punjab’s hardworking Sikh farmers and dairy workers is nothing short of bewildering.
- Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the self-styled face of Sikh separatism, endorsed Donald Trump’s steep tariffs on Indian exports — even going so far as to suggest a 500% hike.
- The fallout isn’t just economic — it threatens to erode cultural traditions that tie Sikh identity to the land and farming.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the self-styled face of Sikh separatism, endorsed Donald Trump’s steep tariffs on Indian exports — even going so far as to suggest a 500% hike. For a man who claims to champion Sikh rights, backing a policy that directly threatens the lifeblood of Punjab’s hardworking Sikh farmers and dairy workers is nothing short of bewildering. Or worse: hypocritical.
The Tariff Trap
Punjab’s economy is deeply intertwined with agriculture and dairy. From basmati rice and textiles to processed foods, Punjabi products form a significant chunk of India’s exports to the United States. Trump’s tariffs, which Pannun supports, would make these goods prohibitively expensive in US markets.
Worse, if tariffs push India to open its agricultural markets, American dairy and farm giants will pour in. Backed by heavy subsidies, they can easily undercut Punjab’s small-scale Sikh farmers and cooperatives like Amul. The fallout isn’t just economic — it threatens to erode cultural traditions that tie Sikh identity to the land and farming.
A Community at Risk
Consider the dairy sector, the quiet backbone of Punjab. Generations of Sikh families rely on it for sustenance and stability. If US dairy giants take over, what happens to these small farmers? The promise of Sikh self-reliance, often invoked by Pannun himself, collapses under the weight of cheap imports.
Experts already predict a 40–50% drop in Indian exports to the US if tariffs escalate. Our very community, Pannun, claims to speak for will be the most brutal hit.
The Politics of Convenience
Pannun’s position exposes a troubling contradiction. His rhetoric drips with anti-India fervor, but his policy stance aligns squarely with economic harm to Sikhs themselves. By cheering on a trade war that undermines Punjab’s farmers, he prioritizes political vendettas over community upliftment.
If his loyalty truly lies with Punjab, why endorse policies that jeopardize Sikh livelihoods? The answer seems plain: for Pannun, anti-India theatrics take precedence over Sikh well-being.
Punjab Deserves Better
The Sikh community is no stranger to resilience. But resilience should not be tested by the reckless opportunism of leaders who claim to act in their name. Punjab’s future rests on policies that protect farmers, bolster dairy cooperatives, and ensure fair trade — not on political grandstanding that sacrifices livelihoods for personal agendas.
Pannun’s endorsement of Trump’s tariffs is not pro-Sikh. It is not pro-Punjab. It is, at its core, a betrayal.
