Sikh Tradition vs. Khalistan Extremism: Who Speaks for the Sikh Diaspora in Italy?

In the quiet town of Novellara, Italy, a local gurdwara recently became the stage for a troubling drama that reverberates far beyond Emilia-Romagna’s borders. According to social media posts, what began as a dispute over a religious festival spiraled into a violent clash between Nihangs and pro-Khalistani elements (PKEs) linked with Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). The incident left four injured—one hospitalized—and has thrown into sharp relief the simmering tensions within sections of the Sikh diaspora.

The Clash of Tradition and Radicalism

At the heart of the confrontation was a simple ritual: Nihang Jathebandis, led by Jorawar Singh, intended to showcase traditional weapons as part of the Dussehra festivities at the Novellara Gurdwara. For the Nihangs, steeped in centuries-old martial tradition, this was a cultural and religious expression. But to the pro-Khalistani faction, the real grievance ran deeper—they accused the Nihangs of failing to support SFJ’s anti-India protests. What might have remained an internal disagreement over priorities instead escalated into violence, as ideology trumped dialogue.

Power, Money, and Allegations

The sparks of ideology were further fanned by accusations of financial mismanagement. PKEs leveled charges against Gurdwara Cortenouva’s Pradhan, Joginder Singh, alleging misuse of funds from agricultural land leased by the gurdwara. The reduction in contract value—from €22,000 last year to €17,000 this year—was painted as evidence of corruption, further fueling resentment. Pro-Khalistan groups now plan to lodge a police complaint against both the Pradhan and the Nihangs, potentially widening the rift and dragging Italian authorities into a religious-political feud.

The Diaspora Dilemma

This skirmish in Novellara is not just a parochial quarrel; it’s a microcosm of the larger challenge facing Sikh communities abroad. On one side are groups seeking to preserve cultural traditions and maintain religious autonomy. On the other are activists pushing an explicitly political agenda—often disruptive, sometimes violent, and increasingly divisive. The SFJ’s influence in diaspora communities has already drawn scrutiny in Canada, the UK, and the US. Now Italy, home to a vibrant Sikh population, finds itself facing the same specter.

What’s at Stake

The stakes extend beyond community harmony. Incidents like this risk reinforcing stereotypes of a diaspora fractured by extremism, overshadowing the countless contributions Sikh migrants make to their adopted homelands. For host nations, it raises uncomfortable questions about how to balance freedom of expression with the need to prevent foreign-inspired radicalization. For the Sikh community itself, it is a sobering reminder that imported conflicts can corrode the very spaces meant to be sanctuaries—gurdwaras.

A Call for Leadership

If there is a lesson in the Novellara clash, it is the urgent need for leadership that prioritizes unity over division, dialogue over confrontation. Religious institutions cannot afford to be battlegrounds for ideological or financial disputes. The Sikh diaspora in Italy, and elsewhere, must confront this challenge with honesty: safeguarding their spiritual centers from being hijacked by extremism while ensuring transparency in their governance.

In the end, the fight at Novellara was not about weapons on display, but about which vision of Sikh identity will prevail abroad—one rooted in tradition, service, and community, or one manipulated by the politics of separatism. Italy’s Sikh community has an opportunity to choose wisely.