Imagine living in constant fear for your life, simply because you advocate for a cause. This is the chilling reality for Paramjeet Singh Pamma, a prominent Sikh activist in the UK, who has been forced to bolster his home security due to credible threats from Hindu nationalist groups.
Police have advised the 52-year-old to install security cameras and reinforce his door locks, a stark reminder of the dangers he faces. Singh Pamma, a vocal supporter of the Khalistan movement – a campaign for an independent Sikh state outlawed in India – believes these threats are directly linked to the Indian government. He accuses UK ministers of turning a blind eye to what he calls “relentless” transnational repression by India. The Indian embassy, unsurprisingly, remains silent on the matter.
But here's where it gets controversial: Singh Pamma’s situation highlights a growing trend of foreign governments targeting dissidents on UK soil. MI5 reports a 48% increase in investigations into state-sponsored threats since 2022, with India joining China and Russia as countries of concern in a recent parliamentary report on transnational repression. This raises a crucial question: How can the UK balance its pursuit of closer ties with India, a key strategic partner in countering China’s rise, with its responsibility to protect individuals like Singh Pamma from foreign intimidation?
Singh Pamma’s case is not isolated. Another Sikh nationalist in the UK has also been advised to increase security. Both men feel abandoned by the UK government, which they believe prioritizes diplomatic relations over their safety. Singh Pamma, who now lives apart from his family due to threats, recounts chilling incidents: men with guns visiting his home in broad daylight, threatening phone calls, and even an alleged bounty offered for his assassination. He claims the police only took his complaints seriously after the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a fellow Sikh activist, in Canada, which Canadian authorities linked to Indian government agents.
And this is the part most people miss: The UK’s response to these threats seems lukewarm compared to other nations. Singh Pamma points to Canada’s actions in the Nijjar case and the US response to the attempted assassination of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, an American Sikh activist, allegedly orchestrated by an Indian agent. He questions the UK’s commitment to protecting its citizens, especially when it comes to cases like the sudden death of Avtar Singh Khanda, a Birmingham-based Sikh activist, which remains shrouded in suspicion.
The Sikh nationalist movement, largely led by the diaspora, has long been a thorn in the side of the Indian government. The 1985 Air India bombing, blamed on Khalistani militants, remains a dark chapter in this history. Singh Pamma, accused by Indian media of past involvement with a group linked to the bombing, vehemently denies the allegations, calling them “fake propaganda” and welcoming any investigation.
Singh Pamma’s personal story is one of resilience and fear. His brother was killed by Indian police for his activism, and he himself endured torture before seeking asylum in the UK in 2000. Despite arrests and detentions, UK authorities have found no evidence against him. Yet, the threats persist, leaving him feeling vulnerable and betrayed by the very government that granted him refuge.
Is the UK doing enough to protect its citizens from foreign threats? Singh Pamma and other Sikh nationalists believe the answer is a resounding no. They argue that the UK’s diplomatic ambitions are overshadowing its duty to safeguard its diverse communities. This raises a crucial question for all of us: Where do we draw the line between strategic alliances and upholding human rights? The UK’s response to this dilemma will have far-reaching consequences, not just for Sikh activists, but for anyone who dares to speak out against powerful regimes.
