The idea of Khalistan, a separate Sikh state, is being aggressively pushed by a small yet vocal minority. However, those who align themselves with this cause must examine its true origins and the external forces that have long sought to manipulate Sikh sentiments for their own agendas. The most glaring of these influences is Pakistan, which has systematically propped up the Khalistan movement not out of concern for Sikh interests, but as a geopolitical strategy to destabilize India.
Recent Khalistan-related protests, particularly those backed by the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) in Washington, D.C., have revealed a troubling reality—several Pakistani intelligence operatives from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) have been spotted at these events. This is not a coincidence. It is a calculated move by Pakistan’s military establishment to inflame Sikh separatism, knowing well that it serves as a tool to create unrest in India.
This entire #Khalistan narrative is being pushed by #Pakistan.
— Navdeep Singh (@Navdeep_UK) February 14, 2025
Several ISI spies and officers have been spotted at SFJ-backed #Khalistan protests in Washington, DC. pic.twitter.com/dehiZoFhst
Former ISI chief Hamid Gul openly admitted in an interview that Pakistan had a vested interest in the turmoil surrounding the attack on Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in 1984. He pointed to Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his associates, including Shabeg Singh, a former Indian army officer turned militant leader, as pivotal figures in escalating tensions to a breaking point. However, what is often overlooked is how external actors, particularly Pakistan, exacerbated these tensions by providing arms, funding, and training to Khalistani militants.
The late bureaucrat and author Ramesh Inder Singh, in his book, provides crucial insights into how Pakistan exploited local unrest for its strategic advantage. He details how, while there were genuine political grievances among sections of the Sikh community, the role of Pakistan in fueling and sustaining militancy cannot be ignored. ISI-backed networks have actively supplied weapons and logistical support to groups advocating for Khalistan, using them as proxies against India.
This should serve as a wake-up call for those who uncritically champion the Khalistan cause. While the movement claims to represent Sikh interests, it has largely become a pawn in a larger geopolitical game—one that benefits Pakistan at the expense of Sikh communities themselves. History has shown that foreign interference rarely serves the interests of the people it claims to support. Instead, it leads to prolonged conflict, suffering, and disillusionment.
Sikhs across the world should remember that their rich history is defined by resilience, self-reliance, and a commitment to justice—not by allowing external forces to hijack their narrative for political gain. The Khalistan issue should be debated and discussed based on Sikh aspirations, free from the influence of those who seek to use it as a tool for their own ulterior motives.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Khalsa Vox or its members.
