Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistan extremist and the leader of the proscribed organization Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has a history of issuing inflammatory threats that incite violence and sow discord. His most recent video targeting Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, wherein he boasts about the ability to paste Khalistan posters and threaten rocket attacks, is a stark reminder of his ongoing attempts to destabilize peace in the region and incite violence.
#BREAKING: Designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu in a new video threatens Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Says, if we can paste Khalistan posters in Punjab, we can also fire rockets. pic.twitter.com/U3CkoMcoOY
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) February 14, 2025
This is not an isolated incident. In December 2024, Pannun released a video threatening to disrupt the key bathing dates of the Magh Mela during the Mahakumbh in Uttar Pradesh. Such provocations have been condemned by religious leaders, with Mahant Ravindra Puri, president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad, dismissing Pannun’s threats as the ravings of a “lunatic” attempting to instigate communal divisions.
Pannun’s antagonism extends beyond Indian borders. In October 2024, he issued threats against Air India, warning passengers to avoid flying with the airline between November 1 and 19. These threats followed a series of over 100 bomb hoaxes targeting Indian airlines, contributing to widespread public alarm.
While freedom of speech is a fundamental right, it is not absolute, especially when it is weaponized to incite violence and terror. Pannun’s rhetoric transcends mere advocacy; it constitutes a clear and present danger to public safety and societal harmony. Allowing such individuals to operate under the guise of free speech undermines the very fabric of democratic societies.
It is imperative that legal systems worldwide recognize the thin line between protected speech and incitement to violence. Individuals like Pannun, who persistently engage in hate speech and terror threats, should be held accountable through appropriate legal mechanisms. This not only serves justice but also deters others from exploiting democratic freedoms to propagate violence and discord.
