Khalistan is emerging as a disturbing antagonist for Modi administration

A group of people set the Indian consulate on fire in San Francisco. Verified by several reports, the fire was set early in the morning between 1:30-2:30 am on 2nd of July which was quickly suppressed by San Francisco department, with no major damage or injuries. According to the information, people were supporters of Khalistan and are now under radar of local, state and federal authorities of US. This episode, right after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to US demonstrates strong detestation against current Indian administration. This separatist group has already demanded to free Amritpal Singh, a radical Khalistani separatist during his arrest in the country.
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller tweeted, ‘The U.S strongly condemns the reported vandalism and attempted arson against the Indian Consulate in San Francisco on Saturday. Vandalism or violence against diplomatic facilities or foreign diplomats in the US is a criminal offense.’ However, this is not the first time when Indian Consulate in US has been targeted. In March, when Indian authorities started search operation for one of its (Khalistan) members Amritpal Singh in the country, his supporters protested in different countries. Canada, Australia, US are such countries who have Khalistan supporters in large numbers. Videos went viral of huge crowd attacking Indian consulate, vandalizing property and chanting Khalistani slogans. They also painted a graffiti that read, ‘Free Amritpal’.
Vishal Saxena suspects this incident as an external disturbance created for upcoming elections in India. He is an international affair expert and while talking to EAT news, he said, ‘Narendra Modi has become a name not only within borders but beyond that. His administration is taking some stern and major decisions which are not serving interest to some of the people. Now in this particular case, Khalistan issue existed long back. The group operates mainly from international territories and is on the list of most wanted from some time now. Since this administration is not negotiating with any kind of threat to country’s security, such masses have become active’. He further added that administration’s blatant policies and decisions are pinching external elements to bid a farewell to Modi.
Twice in a year, Is Indian administration is being targeted in US because of its Hindu nationalist agenda? Indian State Punjab was divided between India and Pakistan during Partition in 1947. Most of the Sikhs moved to India in fear of facing discrimination based on their religion. But found themselves in a same situation here, too. As per the available information by IBT, ‘Indian Civil Services officer named Kapur alleged that then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had in a memo told all states not to hire Sikhs because they were a criminal tribe which was later dismissed as a hoax by the colleagues of the accuser’. After the assassination of former Prime Minister Indra Gandhi in 1984, situation for Sikhs got worse in India.
Saxena believes not the Hindu Nationalist agenda but the continuous advocacy against terrorism is the reason. ‘Yes, there has been a history of violence and discrimination against Sikhs in India, which cannot be changed. That was the reason why Khalistan movement was at its peak between 1980-90s. But in present, there is not a single case of such issue. Communities are living in harmony. But constant effort of brainwashing and radicalization of youth in Punjab by this group is bringing instability to the country’s peace. And standing up for nation’s peace and any kind of terrorism is unacceptable by Indian administration’, he said.
Now the question is, does US has the authority to intervene in the matter concerning directly India but indirectly US, as it took place within its boundary. Shivani lives in US and heard of the news. She told EAT news, that Indians are being targeted unnecessarily. She said, ‘This is disappointing because it is a significant department that works for migrated people here. It is like a second home for us. Attacking on such properties means you are attacking that community. I heard of Khalistan supporters behind this incident. Its even more shameful. You are burning your own country. People involved should be punished’.
Meanwhile, Saxena consider it a diplomatic situation. He said, ‘US has the right to arrest the people as they have damaged the property and their intended action could have been much severe. But the investigation could go to an extent, because then the matter becomes of India and interfering could affect nation’s ties. That is why, country’s police sometimes do no take action because they cannot approach to it as the same way they do with others.’ Earlier India said in a statement to the US administration that, ‘Our Embassy in Washington DC also conveyed our concerns to the US State Department along similar lines’, right after the vandalism took place in March.
Similarly, few days ago, posters in Canada became headlines after it has Indian diplomats’ names on it. Reportedly, posters belong to Khalistani elements and External Affairs Minister of India S Jaishankar assured that administration would take up the issue.