An Indian diplomat leaves a New York Gurdwara amidst allegations of involvement in an assassination plot

In New York at a Gurdwara, a high-ranking Indian diplomat, Taranjit Sandhu, faced a confrontation with pro-Khalistan Sikhs, leading to his sudden departure from the religious site.

Activists questioned Sandhu regarding his alleged involvement in an Indian state’s failed plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a key figure in Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and the global Khalistan Referendum campaign.

At the Hicksville Gurdwara in New York, Himmat Singh, leading pro-Khalistan Sikhs, confronted Ambassador Taranjit Sandhu over his purported role in the thwarted assassination plan against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Sandhu was also accused by activists of India’s involvement in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, President of Surrey Gurdwara and coordinator for the Canadian Chapter of the Khalistan Referendum.

The diplomat appeared disturbed by the public questioning and promptly departed the Gurdwara without addressing the raised concerns, avoiding further interaction with the pro-Khalistan Sikhs.

Himmat Singh, heading the East Coast Coordination Committee, stated, “I simply sought explanations from Ambassador Sandhu on why India is resorting to violence to hinder the global Khalistan Referendum voting.”

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, SFJ General Counsel, targeted in the foiled Indian assassination plot, asserted, “Despite India’s attempt on my life, the Khalistan Referendum Voting will persist, with the American phase scheduled to commence from January 28, 2024, in San Francisco, California.”

This incident follows recent revelations of an Indian conspiracy to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on U.S. soil, prompting U.S. authorities to caution the Indian government regarding its alleged involvement in the scheme, according to sources familiar with the case who spoke to the Financial Times (FT).

FT reported that individuals knowledgeable about the situation revealed that the Indian government was behind the plot against Pannun, who has been leading the Khalistan Referendum campaign.

The FT article disclosed that, according to sources, the U.S. protest was issued after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s significant state visit to Washington in June.

FT further stated that U.S. federal prosecutors have filed a sealed indictment, separate from the diplomatic warning, against at least one alleged perpetrator of the plot in a New York district court.

The department is deliberating whether to unveil the indictment and make the allegations public or await the conclusion of Canada’s investigation into Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s murder, a Canadian Sikh separatist associated with the case.

In September, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mentioned “credible intelligence” linking New Delhi to Nijjar’s fatal shooting.