SFJ blocks Indian consulate in San Francisco with Indira Gandhi float
SAN FRANCISCO/LONDON – Pro-Khalistan Sikh for Justice (SFJ) activists took to the streets to block and besiege the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, as they challenged India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) team visiting the US. The protesters used a float depicting the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by Satwant Singh and Beant Singh to make their point.
The event, called the Khalistan Freedom Car Rally, marked the 35th anniversary of the martyrdom of Shaheed Satwant Singh and Shaheed Kehar Singh. Hundreds of SFJ activists participated in the rally, which began at Marina Berkeley and proceeded towards the San Francisco Indian Consulate. The participants passionately chanted slogans in support of Khalistan.
The rally, organized by the secessionist group SFJ, serves as a reminder to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Violence begets violence. This comes at a time when an NIA team is visiting the US, as reported by Indian media.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, General Counsel of SFJ, emphasized that Modi should be mindful of the historical response of Sikhs to the violence unleashed by the Indian state. Pannun called out India’s violent acts and stated, Modi, who has started the cycle of violence by orchestrating the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, must not forget the October 31, 1984 incident, showing Sikhs have always responded to the violence committed by the Indian state.
The Khalistan Referendum voting campaign is being organized under the supervision of the independent Punjab Referendum Commission (PRC). The voting has taken place in various cities across the UK, Switzerland, Italy, Australia, and Canada.
Meanwhile, a team of senior officers from the NIA is currently in the US to meet with FBI officials. They are discussing cases such as the Indian Consulate attack in San Francisco and the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman. The NIA team, led by a DIG-rank officer, is aiming to strengthen ties and enhance cooperation between the two countries’ investigative agencies.
FBI Director Christopher A. Wray’s recent visit to India marked the first by an FBI Director in 12 years. During his visit, he engaged in discussions with NIA Director Dinkar Gupta and other central agency officers. The discussions covered various issues, including cases related to terrorism, cyber-terrorism, and cyber-crimes. The FBI assured the NIA of its commitment to aggressively pursuing the investigation into the attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco.
The SFJ’s blockade of the Indian Consulate in San Francisco not only highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the Khalistan movement but also underscores the complex relationship between the Indian and US investigative agencies. As the Khalistan Referendum voting continues, both the SFJ and the Indian government will be closely monitoring the developments.
With emotions running high on both sides, it remains to be seen how the situation unfolds and whether any progress can be made towards a peaceful resolution.
