Delhi police arrest three Punjab men over pro-Khalistan graffiti at Singhu border
New Delhi : Delhi police have arrested three men from Punjab for allegedly writing objectionable slogans and painting pro-Khalistan graffiti at the Singhu border.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the slogans and graffiti were reportedly found on walls at the Singhu border on September 6, following which the Special Cell registered an FIR and launched an investigation. The accused have been identified as Preetpal, Harminder Singh and Sheeshpal. Police said they were arrested from Faridkot in Punjab after investigators analysed CCTV footage from the Singhu border and traced their movements. The car allegedly used by the accused to carry out the graffiti has also been recovered.
Police claimed that the slogans and graffiti were written on the direction of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of the pro-Khalistani organization Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). Reportedly, Pannun also claimed responsibility for the incident in a post on X.
Police further claimed that Preetpal was allegedly in direct contact with Pannun, who had instructed him to write the slogans on walls near the Singhu border.
Muslim journalist arrested for questioning Saharanpur mosque demolition in UP
A case under the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) has been registered against Preetpal. The three accused are being questioned at Alipur police station by teams of the Special Cell and the Intelligence Bureau as part of the investigation.
It is to be noted that pro-Khalistan sentiment is deep-rooted in Sikh community. Sikhs in India, particularly in Punjab, as well as Sikh diaspora organizations, continue to raise political demands and historical grievances concerning the treatment of Sikhs in India. Successive Indian governments have failed to address these grievances, while human rights advocates have repeatedly expressed concern over the use of stringent security and anti-terror laws against Sikh activists and supporters of Khalistan.
One of the most important instances of state violence against the Sikh community was the Indian army’s 1984 operation at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Thousands of Sikhs were killed in Punjab and elsewhere in India during and aftermath of the operation amid military action and attacks by Hindu extremist groups. The Khalistan movement has emerged as a manifestation of resistance among Sikhs against political marginalization and state repression. Sikhs continue to pursue the demand for a separate homeland.
