‘Will shake foundations of Ayodhya…’: Gurpatwant Singh Pannun threatens to attack Ram Mandir, other temples
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a separatist leader, threatened to attack Hindu temples in a video, stating intentions to target Ayodhya. He warned Indians in Canada to avoid involvement, claiming attacks will occur on November 16 and 17.
Separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun threatened to attack Hindu temples in a video message released on Monday. The India-designated Khalistani terrorist vowed to ‘shake the foundations of Ayodhya’ and also warned Indians residing in Canada to stay away from attacks against Hindu temples.
“We will shake the foundations of Ayodhya, birthplace of the violent Hindutva ideology,” an India Today report quoted Pannun as saying.
The video was released by the banned Sikhs for Justice outfit and also included clips of Prime Minister Narendra Modi praying at the Ram temple during its inauguration ceremony in January. Pannun has claimed that the attacks will be carrieed out this week on November 16 and 17. According to reports, the video was filmed in the Brampton area of Canada.
Pannun had earlier threatened passengers travelling with Air India between November 1 and 19. He claimed that this period ‘coincided with the 40th anniversary of the 1984 Sikh genocide’. The Canada-US dual citizen had also issued a similar threat during this period in 2023.
The pro-Khalistan lawyer — who works as the general counsel of Sikhs for Justice — was declared an ‘individual terrorist’ in 2020. New Delhi has also banned the SFJ under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for its anti-India activities. Pannun has been accused of promoting secessionism and allegedly encouraging Punjabi Sikh youth to take up arms.
Over the years he has played a key role in organising nonbinding referendums in countries with large Indian diasporas to seek a separate Sikh state.
“India wants to kill me for running the referendum campaign. India’s transnational terrorism has become a direct challenge to the sovereignty of the United States,” he had claimed last year.
Earlier in October the US Justice Department unsealed indictments against two Indian nationals in connection with an alleged plot to kill Pannun. The accused include an ex-government official who had (as per the indictment) worked as an intelligence officer at the time and orchestrated the assassination plan.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Business NewsNewsIndia‘Will shake foundations of Ayodhya…’: Gurpatwant Singh Pannun threatens to attack Ram Mandir, other temples
First Published:11 Nov 2024, 10:06 PM IST
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