Tuesday, February 10, 2026
    ADVT 
    International

    UK Takes Cautious Line On Pro-Khalistan Sikhs For Justice Meet

    Darpan News Desk IANS, 11 Jul, 2018 12:37 PM
      The British High Commission in India on Wednesday reacted cautiously to reports that Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), a separatist organisation, has offered to sponsor youth and political activists from Punjab to travel to London for a meeting on August 12 this year. 
       
       
      The August meeting is proposed to shape up the ‘London Declaration On Referendum 2020’ campaign seeking a separate Khalistan. 
       
       
      Referendum 20 20

      ਲੰਡਨ ਐਲਾਨਨਾਂਮਾ 12 ਅਗਸਤ 2018 ਰਫ਼ਰੈਂਡਮ 2020 Update - Referendum 2020

      Posted by KTV on Wednesday, 11 July 2018
       
       
      Asked if it reflects the UK government policy to support separatist elements, the British High Commission spokesperson in Delhi told The Tribune: "In the UK people have the right to gather together and to demonstrate their views, provided that they do so within the law”. 
       
       
      Reports citing Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the legal advisor to SFJ based in New York, suggested that the organisation plans to provide sponsorship letters to participants from Punjab and also arrange free stay for them from August 10-14. 
       
       
      The SFJ that has initiated a social media campaign for the meeting at Trafalgar Square has proposed to unveil a declaration advocating for “Sikhs’ right to self-determination for the independence of Punjab”. 
       
       
      Pro-Khalistan elements on British soil have been a sensitive topic in bilateral ties between New Delhi and London. Earlier in April this year India had lodged a strong protest with UK after the Tricolour was burnt by Khalistani elements at Parliament Square even as Prime Minister Modi was addressing the Diaspora in Westminster. 
       
       
      “However, we will not tolerate any groups who spread hate or deliberately raise community fears and tensions by bringing disorder and violence to our towns and cities and the police have comprehensive powers to deal with such activities,” added the British High Commission spokesperson today.  
       
       
      SFJ that calls itself an international advocacy group has reportedly asked interested students and activists in Punjab to Whatsapp their IDs and passport details to provide them a sponsorship letter to attend the meeting, which would be necessary to obtain a visa.  
       
       
      “Any visa application would be subject to the normal checks and requirements, regardless of who the sponsor is,” the UK High Commission said.
      Prev Next

      MORE International ARTICLES

      Pakistani Man Arrested For Burning Christian Woman To Death Over Refusing His Marriage Proposal

      Pakistani Man Arrested For Burning Christian Woman To Death Over Refusing His Marriage Proposal
      A young Christian woman who was set on fire a week ago by a Muslim man for refusing to marry him today succumbed to her injuries at Lahore's Mayo Hospital in Pakistan's Punjab province.

      Pakistani Man Arrested For Burning Christian Woman To Death Over Refusing His Marriage Proposal

      9-Year-Old Chess Prodigy From India Caught In Battle To Stay In UK

      9-Year-Old Chess Prodigy From India Caught In Battle To Stay In UK
      Shreyas Royal has won a series on chess championships and his parents, Jitendra and Anju Singh, are now appealing to the UK Home Office for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in Britain.

      9-Year-Old Chess Prodigy From India Caught In Battle To Stay In UK

      WATCH: Indian-American Teen Dhruv Gaur Wins $100,000 In Jeopardy College Quiz Contest

      WATCH: Indian-American Teen Dhruv Gaur Wins $100,000 In Jeopardy College Quiz Contest
      Indian-American teenager, Dhruv Gaur, has won the $100,000 Jeopardy college quiz championship.

      WATCH: Indian-American Teen Dhruv Gaur Wins $100,000 In Jeopardy College Quiz Contest

      Is Wearing A Turban Integral To Sikh Religion, Asks Supreme Court

      Is Wearing A Turban Integral To Sikh Religion, Asks Supreme Court
      The Supreme Court was hearing a plea by Jagdeep Singh Puri, who had challenged a local cycling association’s rules that required him to wear a helmet to participate in a competition.

      Is Wearing A Turban Integral To Sikh Religion, Asks Supreme Court

      Singapore PM Lee Leads 40,000 Devotees In Hindu Temple Reconsecration Ceremony

      Singapore PM Lee Leads 40,000 Devotees In Hindu Temple Reconsecration Ceremony
      For the first time since assuming office in 2004, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong led some 40,000 devotees and four ministers at a 164-year-old Hindu temple's reconsecration ceremony here, following the completion of its SGD 4.5 million restoration work.

      Singapore PM Lee Leads 40,000 Devotees In Hindu Temple Reconsecration Ceremony

      British MP, Indian Community Groups Demand Action Over Indian Flag Desecration In UK

      British MP, Indian Community Groups Demand Action Over Indian Flag Desecration In UK
      The British government is under growing pressure to take action against protesters behind the desecration of the Indian flag at Parliament Square in London during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's UK visit last week.

      British MP, Indian Community Groups Demand Action Over Indian Flag Desecration In UK

      PrevNext