Sikh Separatist Leader Threatens To Blow Up Air India Flight On November 19

The Khalistan separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun recently released a video asking the people of Sikh community not to fly in Air India aircraft after November 19, as their lives can be under threat. Mr Pannun is one of the major leaders of the Khalistan movement and demands a Sikh-religion based separate state out from Punjab and other neighbouring parts of India. He is the legal advisor and spokesperson for the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs declared him as a terrorist and has requested an Interpol red notice for him.

What happened now? What is the current controversy?

• Gurpatwant Singh Pannun through his recent video claimed that Air India – the flag carrier of India, owned by Talace Private Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of Tata Sons – would not be allowed to operate on November 19.
• The video clip was surfaced on November 4, in which Mr Punnan is seen saying, “On November 19… there will be a global blockade”.
• He said that Air India will not be allowed to fly anywhere across the world on November 19.
• “Sikhs, you do not travel by Air India after November 19. It can be life-threatening. This is my warning to the government of India”, he said.
• He added that Delhi”s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport would remain shut on November 19 and that its name would be changed.
• November 19 is the same day to which the final match of ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup hosted by India is scheduled, and he highlighted that too.
• He referred the event as the “World Terror Cup”, and alleged that it serves as a platform to highlight and spread the atrocities against Sikhs in India.
• The threat can be seen as a veiled reference to the Air India plane Kanishka bombing. The bombing Kanishka was perpetuated by Khalistani extremists way back in 1985 and it was one of the biggest terror attacks in the world in the pre-9/11 era, reported the Hindustan Times.
• Responding to the video, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra demanded the arrest of Mr Pannun by Canada. “How’s this man not arrested yet, Canada?”, he took to X.
• This is not the first time Mr Pannun has issued a threat. In September, he urged Hindu-Canadians to leave Canada amid a diplomatic row between India and Canada over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

How’s this man not arrested yet, Canada?? https://t.co/OLYgKGtom3

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 4, 2023