Pannun Threatens PM Modi and Tells Hindus to Leave the U.S. and Canada

Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has openly threatened India multiple times, yet the U.S. continues to label him as a “victim and activist.” Known for issuing threats in videos—ranging from bombing Air India flights to urging Hindus to leave the U.S. and Canada—he remains free from repercussions in either country.

As a dual citizen of the U.S. and Canada, Pannun was recently in the spotlight after the U.S. Justice Department charged Vikash Yadav, a former Indian government employee, for allegedly plotting to kill him in New York.

“The victim (Pannun), is a vocal critic of the Government of India and leads a US-based organization that advocates for the secession of Punjab, a state in the northern part of India, that is home to a large population of Sikhs, an ethnoreligious minority group in India. The victim has publicly called for some or all of Punjab to secede from India and establish a Sikh sovereign state, called Khalistan, and the Government of India has banned the victim and his separatist organization from India,” the indictment document mentioned.

The U.S. indictment portrays Pannun as a critic of the Indian government and a leader of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), which seeks Punjab's independence. However, it fails to address his history of threats against India.

In 2024, Pannun told Indo-Canadian Hindus to return to India. In 2023, he warned of a “Hamas-like” attack on India and threatened Prime Minister Modi, claiming there would be consequences if India continued to occupy Punjab. He also warned against flying with Air India and issued threats to disrupt India’s economy.

Pannun has been on India's radar since 2019, facing charges related to his separatist activities. Despite this, both the U.S. and Canada have not acted against him. He even stated that he had shared information with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office regarding India’s alleged spying efforts.

In response to the recent charges against Yadav, India has said it is taking the situation seriously and is cooperating with U.S. authorities. The Indian government has firmly denied any involvement from its intelligence agencies in the alleged assassination plot.