Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, was heckled by a group of Khalistani protesters at a gurdwara in New York. The incident took place during Sandhu’s visit to the Hicksville Gurdwara in Long Island on the occasion of Gurpurab. The protesters surrounded him and accused him of plotting the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and conspiring to murder another terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
A video of the exchange between Sandhu and the protesters has gone viral. In the video, Sandhu can be heard telling the protesters that he is visiting the gurdwara for seva (service). One protester is heard shouting in Punjabi, accusing Sandhu of being responsible for the assassination of Nijjar and plotting to kill Pannun.
Others in the video can be seen trying to defuse the situation, but the protesters continue to follow Sandhu, demanding answers. The incident was captured on video and shared on social media, drawing attention to the confrontation.
According to BJP’s national spokesperson RP Singh, the protest was led by Himmat Singh, who accused Sandhu of India’s role in the assassination of Nijjar and his involvement in the Khalistan Referendum campaign.
The incident comes in the wake of the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Nijjar in Canada’s British Columbia. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had alleged the role of Indian agents in the killing, leading to a diplomatic row between India and Canada. India has dismissed these allegations as baseless and motivated, calling for evidence to support the claims.
Earlier this month, it was reported that US authorities had foiled a conspiracy to kill Pannun, the leader of the Khalistani organization Sikhs for Justice, on American soil. The White House confirmed the seriousness of the reported plot and raised the issue with the Indian government. Indian authorities expressed surprise and concern over the matter, stating that such activity was not their policy.
In response to these incidents, India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesperson stated that India takes such inputs seriously as they impinge on national security interests. The relevant departments are examining the issues raised in the context of US inputs.
The confrontation between Sandhu and the Khalistani protesters highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the Khalistan movement and its supporters. The incident also underscores the need for continued diplomatic efforts to address these concerns and find peaceful resolutions.
