Khalistan Terrorist Pannun Praises Rahul Gandhi's 'Threat to Sikhs in India' Remark

New Delhi: Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a designated terrorist by India and co-founder of the banned Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), praised Congress MP Rahul Gandhi ’s recent comments about Sikh rights in India. Pannun, the co-founder of SFJ, released a statement saying that Gandhi validated SFJ's global Khalistan Referendum campaign.

Speaking at an event in Virginia, Gandhi said, “The fight (in India) is about whether a Sikh is going to be allowed to wear a turban...whether a Sikh will be allowed to wear a kada or go to the Gurudwara. That's what the fight is about, and it's not just for Sikhs, but for all religions.” 

Gandhi spoke in Washington DC, emphasising that the fight in India is not only about politics but about the fundamental right to religious freedom. He also condemned the RSS for viewing certain religions and communities as inferior and stressed that the struggle is for all religions to practice freely.

In a social media post, Pannun described Gandhi’s remarks as “bold and pioneering,” asserting that they validate SFJ’s campaign for a Khalistani state. Pannun said, “Rahul's statement on 'existential threat to Sikhs in India' is not only bold and pioneering but is also firmly grounded in the factual history of what Sikhs have been facing under successive regimes in India since 1947 and also corroborates SFJ's stance on the justification for Punjab Independence Referendum to establish Sikh homeland Khalistan.”

Gandhi’s statements have stirred controversy and received sharp criticism from BJP leaders. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri called Gandhi’s remarks “sinister,” recalling the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and accusing the Congress family of exacerbating the Sikh community's suffering during their time in power. Puri emphasized that the Modi-led government has made significant efforts to address Sikh issues.

BJP national spokesperson RP Singh announced plans to file a court complaint against Gandhi if he continues making such statements in India. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju also criticised Gandhi, questioning the need to discuss internal issues on foreign soil and implying that Gandhi’s remarks were harmful to India’s reputation.

Rahul is currently on a four-day visit to the United States. His first stop was in Dallas on Saturday, and he arrived in Washington DC on Monday.