Khalistani elements artificially boosting influence: UK report | World News

A British faith adviser has pointed out that fringe Khalistani elements are intimidating and coercing the Sikh community in the UK. Colin Bloom, an independent faith engagement adviser appointed by the UK government, has revealed some of the key issues within the small UK Sikh community, including divisions caused by Kalistan sympathizers. In his report titled ‘The Bloom Review’ Bloom highlighted areas of concern, noting gaps in representation at official level and recognition of prominent Sikh groups in the UK in certain areas of the Sikh community in the UK power struggle.

The report pointed to the divisions among some UK Sikh communities caused by Sikh separatists, calling them “an extremist fringe ideology within the pro-Khalistan movement”.

A third area of ​​concern is the activity of individuals and organizations that clearly fuel sectarian and anti-Muslim sentiment and legitimize discrimination and misogyny,” it said.

Bloom noted that pro-Khalistan elements have ties to the mainstream Sikh community, but “most believe their methods of intimidation and subversion are at odds with the fundamental principles of the Sikh faith.” Belonging to the Sikh community in the UK Respondents warned the government that failing to distinguish between an extremist subversive agenda and the mainstream Sikh community would lead to a “blindness to religious extremism” in the UK.

During the gathering of evidence for the report, the examiners found numerous instances of intimidation and threats by Khalistani elements for speaking out against them. The Countering Extremism Committee’s 2019 report “The Changing Nature of Sikh Activism in the UK Today” also noted the difficulties faced by Sikhs opposing radicals, with some potential interviewees reportedly refusing to participate because they feared a backlash and others chose to remain anonymous.

The UK government appointed an independent Faith Engagement Adviser in October 2019 to advise on how to engage with faith groups in England. The review seeks to identify ways to support faith-based organizations, promote acceptance and cooperation among faith groups, address harmful practices, and promote values ​​such as freedom of expression, democracy, the rule of law, and peace. In addition, the review aims to improve the faith literacy of civil servants and ensure that they fulfill their duties under equal responsibility in the public sector.

The report comes as Sikh extremists pull down India at the Indian High Commission in London amid a crackdown on the now-arrested radical Sikh preacher Amripal Singh and his supporters in India. The flag was released a few weeks later. While the British government has not released details of those arrested for breaching privacy laws, Delhi police named three Sikh extremists from the FIR – Avtar Singh aka Khanda, Gurcharan Singh and Jasvir Singh – as the main suspects.

The report also interestingly notes that the territorial claims of pro-Khalistan elements for a separate Sikh homeland do not include the Punjab part of Pakistan.

“It is not entirely clear whether the motivations of these extremists are faith-based,” it said.

Sikh extremists, a tiny minority, have drawn disproportionate attention and divisive sentiment across sectors of the Sikh community, Bloom said, largely because some of the groups Or individuals attempting to artificially amplify their influence and legitimize taking dubious positions or tactics by lobbying political establishments using the “Sikh” label.

“By circumventing the democratic order, some groups vie for power by masquerading as human rights activists, presenting a false legitimacy,” it added.

The report also noted with concern that Khalistanists and their sympathizers have used social media to incite violence and hatred against Muslims, Hindus and even other Sikhs who disagree with the ideology of a minority of extremists.