Supporters of Khalistan disrupt Indian representative.

WASHINGTON: Indian Ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, faced disruptions from Pro-Khalistan activists during his visit to a gurdwara in New York.

The incident, captured in viral videos, resulted in Ambassador Sandhu leaving the Gurunanak Darbar Gurdwara in Long Island. The activists addressed the ambassador, referencing attacks on Sikh activists Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

Mr. Sandhu had attended the gurdwara on Sunday to partake in Gurpurab celebrations, a significant festival for Sikh followers.

Nijjar met his demise in the parking lot of a Sikh temple in British Columbia on June 18, 2023. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in September, attributed the assassination to India. The Financial Times recently reported that Washington foiled another Indian attempt to assassinate Pannun.

The White House, last Wednesday, declared its grave concern over the reported assassination attempt on American soil. The issue has been raised with the Indian government at the highest levels.

Videos from the Gurdwara depict protesters denouncing India’s efforts to suppress the Sikh movement. One protester is seen raising the Khalistani flag as the ambassador departs the Gurdwara.

Ambassador Sandhu abruptly ended his visit to the Hicksville Gurdwara, leaving hastily and without addressing the questions raised by pro-Khalistan Sikhs about his alleged involvement in the assassination attempts, according to a statement by Mr. Pannun.

The statement further suggested that India, as evidenced by the ambassador’s incoherent responses, is employing mercenaries to thwart the Khalistan referendum voting. Despite the alleged attempts on his life, Pannun asserted that the Khalistan referendum voting will persist, commencing the American phase on January 28, 2024, in San Francisco, California.

During the incident, activists confronted the Indian ambassador, questioning his role in the unsuccessful bid to assassinate Pannun. Himmat Singh, leading pro-Khalistan Sikhs at the Gurdwara, accused New Delhi of assassinating Mr. Nijjar, the former president of Surrey Gurdwara and coordinator for the Canadian chapter of Khalistan Referendum.

Himmat Singh stated, “I only sought answers from Ambassador Sandhu regarding why India is resorting to violence to impede the global Khalistan Referendum voting.”

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