Banned outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), registered in New York, has announced a reward of USD 2,50,000 (Rs 1.82 Crores) for protesters hoisting Khalistan flag at India Gate in Delhi on Republic Day. A letter issued by SFJ’s chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannu gives “a call to the Punjab farmers protesting on the Singhu border to raise Khalistani flag at India Gate on January 26 and receive a reward of USD 2,50,000.”
Pannu’s letter further assures full logistical support and also gives a call to Punjab farmers to take out a parallel “Kesri” Tractor Rally “in defiance of India’s R-Day parade to mark their resistance against Modi Government’s agricultural reform bills”. The rest of the letter makes insinuations against Narendra Modi’s government over the farm bills and the protests.
The letter also says that if the Indian government arrests the person under Indian Law, his organization would help anyone move out of India and settle down in the UK. The letter states that SFJ is holding a non-governmental referendum on the question of secession of Punjab from India for which voting will begin on August 15th from London, UK and will be monitored and tabulated by “Punjab Referendum Commission”.
Centre files affidavit in SC over presence of Khalistanis in farmers protests
The Central government has cited this letter as one of the documents to support its claims regarding the presence of separatist elements at the farmers’ protests in New Delhi. The government has also filed an affidavit in the SC on Wednesday confirming that there is evidence of ‘Khalistani groups’ infiltrating the farmers’ protests.
On Tuesday, the Centre had told the Supreme Court that it has credible information with inputs from the Intelligence Bureau, of the presence of Khalistani supporters in farmer protests in and around Delhi. The issue was raised by the Attorney General KK Venugopal in the Supreme Court during the hearing on petitions regarding the farm laws.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) asked the government to formally submit its claims regarding presence of separatist elements. The CJI had asked AG and SG to put on record the claims regarding the presence of separatist elements in farmer protests. The Centre had said that the government will compile information from the Union Home Ministry and submit the affidavit.
A petition by the Delhi police is pending in Supreme Court to restrict the farmers from holding tractor rallies in Delhi on January 26. In its petition, the police said that if such a rally is permitted there would be law and order problems.
Balaji Subramanian 
Dr. Niranjan B Poojar 
Aayush Pal