Snehashish roy
In yet another instance of provocation from the banned Khalistani organisation Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), its chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US-based designated terrorist, has issued a call for shutting down singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh’s concert in Australia on November 1. The demand came after Dosanjh was seen touching the feet of Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan, which the group claims was an “insult” to the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
SFJ, which has been outlawed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) since 2019, released a video message alleging that Amitabh Bachchan had made inflammatory statements during the 1984 riots, accusing him of inciting mob violence against the Sikh community. In a statement, Pannun said, “By touching the feet of Bachchan — the man whose words orchestrated genocide — Diljit Dosanjh has insulted every victim, widow, and orphan of the 1984 Sikh genocide.”
The outfit cited Bachchan’s alleged use of the slogan “Khoon ka badla khoon” (“blood for blood”) on October 31, 1984 — a claim that has never been legally substantiated or verified by any court. The actor has consistently denied any role in the violence that erupted following the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards.
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While SFJ has attempted to link Bachchan’s name to the riots, there has been no credible evidence or judicial finding to support such allegations. In the past, several independent fact-checks and investigations have found no record of Bachchan making such statements publicly.
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The group further attempted to connect Dosanjh’s gesture of respect toward Bachchan with perceived insensitivity toward Sikh victims. Pannun said the act came just a day before November 1, which the Akal Takht Sahib, the highest temporal seat of Sikh authority, has officially declared as Sikh Genocide Remembrance Day.
However, observers note that SFJ’s pattern of exploiting symbolic gestures and celebrity interactions is part of a larger propaganda attempt to internationalise and politicise historical events. Indian security agencies have repeatedly warned that the group operates with the objective of undermining India’s sovereignty and spreading separatist sentiments among Sikh diaspora communities abroad.
SFJ’s Anti-India Activities
According to the Union Home Ministry, SFJ continues to engage in anti-national propaganda and subversive activities, primarily targeting Punjab and Sikh diaspora groups across North America, the UK, and Australia. The outfit is accused of promoting the creation of an imaginary “Khalistan” state by organising referendums and online campaigns that seek to “destabilise the democratically elected government of India.”
The Ministry has stated that SFJ maintains close links with Pakistan-based terrorist outfits, offering them ideological and logistical support to foment unrest in India. Officials describe the organisation’s operations as “deeply prejudicial to India’s internal security and territorial integrity.”
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The group’s founder, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, is a designated terrorist under Indian law and has over 100 criminal cases registered against him across multiple states. These include charges of sedition, terrorism, money laundering, and incitement of violence. Several of these cases are currently under investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which has also seized his properties in India.
Pannun, who is based in the United States, has been accused of orchestrating anti-India propaganda through online channels and public rallies. In recent years, he has issued repeated threats against Indian leaders, government institutions, and even Air India flights, prompting international condemnation.
Despite his claims of representing Sikh interests, mainstream Sikh organisations in India and abroad have distanced themselves from SFJ’s violent rhetoric, stressing that the group’s actions harm the reputation of the global Sikh community.
Diljit Dosanjh’s Silence Amid Controversy
Meanwhile, singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh has not issued any official response to SFJ’s statement. Known for maintaining a neutral stance on political controversies, Dosanjh has often faced trolling from both pro-Khalistan and ultra-nationalist groups for his attempts to stay apolitical.
The current controversy erupted after a viral clip showed him greeting Amitabh Bachchan with folded hands and touching his feet during a recent event. This gesture is considered a traditional mark of respect in Indian culture. Fans across social media have largely supported Dosanjh, describing the incident as a misinterpretation of a respectful act.
The Australian leg of his Dil-Luminati Tour — scheduled to begin on November 1 — has already sold out in multiple cities, including Melbourne and Sydney. Authorities have not reported any threats to public safety, but security is expected to be tightened following SFJ’s provocative call for disruption.
Indian officials have yet to comment on the group’s latest statement, but sources in the security establishment told national media that such threats are a recurring tactic by Pannun to “seek relevance and create unnecessary alarm before major Indian cultural events abroad.”
As of now, Dosanjh’s team has confirmed that the concert will proceed as planned, with organisers coordinating with Australian law enforcement to ensure the safety of attendees.