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by IANS |
New Delhi, Jan 23 (IANS) The Khalistan movement has been able to survive, thanks to the lenient policies in the United Kingdom and Canada. Successive governments have been soft on these criminals, as a result of which they made these nations bases to launch attacks on India.
After setting up bases in multiple countries, the Khalistan movement now appears to be flourishing in Azerbaijan. A conference was held last week in Baku, the capital city, aimed at amplifying the need for a separate Sikh nation, Khalistan, to be carved out of India.
On the face of it, the event looked like it was trying to raise concerns about the treatment of Sikhs and other minorities in the country. This has been a false narrative against India that has been spread by many to defame the nation and the Modi government.
The event was titled ‘Racism and Violence Against Sikhs and Other National Minorities in India.’ Officials say there are plenty of red flags here. First of all, it was organised by the Azerbaijani government-linked Baku Initiative Group. This highlights the government's role in hosting such an event.
The Khalistan angle became amply clear when the audience and organisers stood up and observed a minute’s silence for slain Khalistan terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The event focused heavily on videos appearing to show atrocities against India.
Officials say that this is a narrative that these Khalistani elements have been drumming up without any evidence. Even those in Punjab do not complain about discrimination by the state, but these ISI-backed elements want to portray a false picture.
Another official said that after the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia, the Khalistanis are trying to set up a base in Milan. The Khalistan elements had already called for a refrendum and this is a clear signal that they are looking to spread to more countries.
The shift to Azerbaijan is strategic and is a clear suggestion that has been given by the ISI, which controls this movement. Azerbaijan’s government backing such an event only shows that it has been told to do so by Pakistan and Turkey, who share very good ties, officials noted.
Further, this country acts as a neutral venue for the Khalistanis to push their anti-India narrative. While the Khalistan elements would launch attacks on India through a disinformation campaign, it would still give both Turkey and Pakistan the plausible deniability they need.
Further, for Pakistan to run its agenda in Azerbaijan is easy, as the government there is extremely friendly in nature. Last year, during Operation Sindoor, Baku stood by Pakistan while condemning the strike by India. India had carried out Operation Sindoor to avenge the brutal killings of innocents by terrorists of the Lashkar-e-Taiba who were launched from Pakistan.
The UK, Canada, and other nations have been back and forth on the Khalistan issue. Things are not as bad as they were in the past, and both countries have begun acting against these elements. However, the move to Azerbaijan is a dangerous one and poses a major security concern for India. With the state’s support, the Khalistani elements would only get more aggressive. Further, they would get support from Turkey, which has had an anti-India stance.
An official says that the event was meant to be passed off as one which is highlighting atrocities. However, the audience present there made it clear that it was an event to launch Khalistan-related activities in a big way in Azerbaijan. The presence of Nijjar’s close aide, Moninder Singh, and Khalistani activist from the UK, Dabinderjit Singh Sidhu, is proof that this was solely a Khalistan-linked event.
--IANS
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