Sikh activist in the UK faces heightened security concerns due to threats from Hindu nationalists, with police advising the installation of security cameras and reinforced door locks. Paramjeet Singh Pamma, a prominent figure in the Khalistan movement, has been advised by the police to enhance his security measures due to intelligence suggesting potential threats to his safety. The movement advocates for an independent Sikh state, which is outlawed in India, and is viewed by the Indian government as a terrorist threat. This situation arises amidst the UK's pursuit of a closer relationship with India's Hindu nationalist government, seen as a strategic partner to counter China's influence. The UK's MI5 has reported a 48% increase in investigations into state threats since 2022, with India, China, and Russia identified as countries of concern in the joint committee on human rights' 2024-25 report on transnational repression. Singh Pamma's claims highlight the relentless transnational repression by India, with the Indian embassy declining to comment. The activist has been forced to live separately from his family due to threats, and he regularly reports incidents to the police, who began taking his complaints seriously after the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, linked to Indian government agents. US prosecutors have also accused an Indian government agent of attempting to assassinate an American citizen on US soil. The UK government's response has been criticized for not taking sufficient action, with Singh Pamma expressing anger over their inaction. The Sikh community faces ongoing threats, with Gurcharan Singh, another Sikh nationalist activist, advised by UK police to increase security due to credible threats. The Indian government's concerns about the Sikh nationalist movement, which campaigns for a Sikh homeland in Punjab, are longstanding, marked by historical incidents like the 1985 Air India flight bombing. Singh Pamma's past associations with Babbar Khalsa International, accused of the bombing, have been questioned, but he denies any involvement. The activist's personal history includes the loss of his elder brother to Indian police activism in 1991 and his own arrest in 2010, with no evidence found by UK counter-terrorism police. The UK government's awareness of threats to Sikh nationalists is noted, but their approach is criticized for being too diplomatic and lacking in immediate action.
