India uses ‘terror’ label to victimise Sikh youth amid rising anti-Khalistan crackdown
Amritsar : In Indian Punjab, the BJP-led Indian regime has once again intensified its campaign of victimisation against Sikh youth by branding them as “terrorists” and linking them to pro-Khalistan activities following a blast near a railway track in Patiala.
According to Kashmir Media Service, within hours of the explosion on the Delhi-Amritsar freight corridor railway track near Bothonia village between Shambu and Rajpura, Indian police arrested four Sikh youth from Tarn Taran and Mansa districts, terming them part of an “ISI-backed terror module.” Another Sikh youth, identified as Jagroop Singh Panjwar, was killed in the blast under mysterious circumstances, with police swiftly portraying him as the main suspect.
Political observers said the incident is being used as a pretext to launch a fresh crackdown on Sikh activists and pro-Khalistan voices in Punjab. They said the Modi regime has a history of exploiting such incidents to justify arbitrary arrests, staged recoveries, and the use of draconian laws to silence dissenting Sikh voices and suppress the Khalistan movement.
Indian police claimed to have recovered a hand grenade, two pistols, ammunition, laptops, and communication devices from the arrested youth. However, rights activists and local residents have questioned the authenticity of such “recoveries,” alleging that Indian agencies often fabricate evidence to strengthen politically motivated cases.
Police identified one of the arrested youth, Pardeep Singh Khalsa, as the alleged “kingpin” and accused him of having links with Malaysia-based pro-Khalistan activists and Pakistan-based arms suppliers. Authorities also claimed that he facilitated travel of Sikh youth to Malaysia for alleged “terror training.”
An FIR has been registered under multiple draconian laws, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Explosive Act, Arms Act, and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Analysts said the repeated use of black laws such as UAPA reflects the Modi regime’s growing intolerance towards Sikh political aspirations and its reliance on coercive tactics to crush calls for self-determination.
The latest arrests have triggered concern among Sikh circles, who view the operation as part of a broader campaign to demonize Sikh youth and criminalize pro-Khalistan sentiment in India.
