AI Generated Summary
- The inclusion of India — the world’s largest democracy with a robust judicial system and a record of respecting dissent within the bounds of the law — in the same category as authoritarian regimes is a glaring false equivalence.
- One of the primary contributors cited in the report is the US-based organisation Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) — a group that has been banned in India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for inciting violence and promoting secessionism under the guise of Sikh advocacy.
- At a time when the Sikh community continues to thrive in the UK, Canada, the US, and other parts of the world, this report threatens to cast a shadow on its achievements.
In a strongly worded rebuttal, India has categorically rejected a recent British parliamentary report that includes it in a list of countries allegedly engaging in “transnational repression” in the UK. The report, released on July 30 by the British Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights, has drawn concern and criticism, particularly among the global Sikh community, for relying on dubious and unverified sources — many of which are connected to banned extremist organisations.
The report named India alongside countries such as China, Iran, and Russia, claiming involvement in targeting individuals on foreign soil. However, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) denounced the report as “baseless,” citing the heavy reliance on information provided by proscribed groups with a known anti-India agenda.
“We have seen the references to India in the report and categorically reject these baseless allegations,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. He further emphasised that the claims arise from “unverified and dubious sources, predominantly linked to proscribed entities and individuals with a clear, documented history of anti-India hostility.”
One of the primary contributors cited in the report is the US-based organisation Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) — a group that has been banned in India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for inciting violence and promoting secessionism under the guise of Sikh advocacy. UK-based affiliated organisations have also reportedly contributed to the report’s content, raising questions about the credibility and intent behind such documentation.
A Slippery Slope: Misrepresentation of the Sikh Voice
This report, if left unchallenged, poses a significant threat to the reputation and safety of law-abiding Sikh communities worldwide. By uncritically including uncorroborated allegations from groups like SFJ — whose stated goal is to foment division within India — the British report not only distorts India’s record but unfairly implicates the Sikh diaspora by association.
The Sikh community, known globally for its service, peacebuilding, and community leadership, faces the risk of being mischaracterised due to the actions of fringe elements claiming to speak on its behalf. This is not just inaccurate — it is deeply damaging.
Sikh groups that peddle separatist rhetoric under the cover of human rights advocacy often do not represent the broader Sikh community. Unfortunately, by giving these groups a platform in official forums, such as this UK report, their agenda is inadvertently legitimised, at the cost of harmony within the diaspora and trust between nations.
Diplomatic Distortion and the Politics of Reports
“This deliberate reliance on discredited sources calls into question the credibility of the report itself,” said Jaiswal. The inclusion of India — the world’s largest democracy with a robust judicial system and a record of respecting dissent within the bounds of the law — in the same category as authoritarian regimes is a glaring false equivalence.
Furthermore, in recent years, India has been forthright and cooperative in engaging with foreign governments on issues concerning security and law enforcement. Such reports, constructed on politically motivated inputs, only erode trust and strain bilateral ties.
Responsible Reporting Matters
At a time when the Sikh community continues to thrive in the UK, Canada, the US, and other parts of the world, this report threatens to cast a shadow on its achievements. It conflates political extremism with Sikh identity and gives oxygen to groups whose main goal is to disrupt peace and provoke division.
This is not just a diplomatic misstep — it is a failure in moral responsibility. By echoing the narratives of banned groups, without rigorous verification, the report risks undermining the very human rights values it seeks to uphold.
The Sikh diaspora deserves better — fair representation, factual reporting, and protection from being used as a political football in international disputes.
