Just days after the San Francisco Indian consulate was set on fire, a poster promoting a Khalistan “Kill India” rally has emerged on Twitter. The poster advertises a “Khalistan Freedom Rally” to be held outside the Indian high commission in London on July 8. The poster falsely accuses Indian diplomats of being responsible for the assassination of a pro-Khalistan leader in Vancouver. The posters are believed to be created by Sikhs for Justice, the group behind the unofficial Khalistan referendum.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist and pro-Khalistan leader, was shot dead in Canada on June 18. According to tweets, the rally is being organised to challenge the Indian government’s alleged involvement in his assassination.
The posters have sparked controversy and garnered attention on social media. However, it is important to note that the posters seem to be propagated by anonymous Twitter accounts with few followers, suggesting that they may not represent the views of a large section of the Sikh community.
Despite the posters, voices from the Indian diaspora have come forward to denounce Khalistan and underline their support for the nation of India. Kuldeep Shekhawat, president of the Overseas Friends of BJP UK, stated, “There is no Khalistani support from the Indian diaspora, and it is a clear story of a misinformation campaign that a handful of misguided Sikhs are trying to do. A true Sikh is for the nation India and will always remain so.”
The spread of these posters has raised concerns, leading India to summon the Canadian high commissioner to register its protest against similar posters in Canada. The Indian government sees these actions as a threat to its diplomats and an attempt to create tensions between India and the Sikh community abroad.
In conclusion, while the posters promoting the Khalistan rally have gained attention on social media, it is important to approach them with caution. The Indian diaspora has denied supporting Khalistan and considers this a campaign of misinformation. The Indian government has taken diplomatic steps to address its concerns regarding the posters. Moving forward, it will be crucial to focus on fostering dialogue and understanding between different communities and working towards peaceful solutions.
