Gurpatwant Singh Pannun calls on Sikh soldiers to reject Modi government’s military agenda as India-Pakistan conflict looms

April 29, 2025 | New Delhi / Islamabad – In a dramatic escalation of an already volatile regional situation, Sikh political activist and SFJ General Counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has issued a appeal for Sikh soldiers to refuse participation in any military action against Pakistan. This call comes amid rising fears of a potential full-scale war between India and Pakistan and an unfolding controversy over alleged planned massacres tied to India’s internal security policies.

A Call to Conscience and Contention

During an address that has sent shockwaves through both the Sikh community and broader political circles in India, Pannun stated:

 “Say no to Modi’s jingoistic war. Do not fight against Pakistan. Do not fight for India.”

According to Pannun and the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), Sikh soldiers are being manipulated as “weapons” by the Indian government to serve the BJP’s Hindutva agenda. He warned that by engaging in hostilities against Pakistan, Sikh fighters would be complicit in undermining the centuries-old ties between the Sikh community and Pakistan—a country that, he asserted, has historically supported the Khalistan cause.

Allegations of a Dark Plot

Pannun’s statement was accompanied by damning allegations concerning two separate planned massacres. SFJ claims that Indian intelligence had, at one point, orchestrated a plan to execute a mass killing of Sikhs during the Khalsa Sajna Dihara Nagar Kirtan at Channapora in Srinagar. The alleged massacre was reportedly designed to isolate Pakistan politically ahead of U.S. Vice President JD Vance’s scheduled visit. However, according to SFJ insiders, the plan was abruptly canceled after concerns arose that such an atrocity might jeopardize Vance’s diplomatic mission. Instead, Pahalgam was chosen as an alternative target, where an operation allegedly led to the massacre of innocent Hindus.

“Pahalgam Hindu massacre — coinciding with JD Vance’s visit — was chosen instead, where innocent Hindus became political fodder,” Pannun declared. He further asserted that top officials, including NSA Ajit Doval, were involved in orchestrating what he called a “replacement operation” aimed at manufacturing a narrative of transnational terrorism, ultimately benefiting electoral ambitions in Bihar.

Political Ripples and Cross-Border Support

These explosive claims have not only intensified domestic debates within India but have also resonated across the border. In a speech delivered on the floor of Pakistan’s Senate, Senator Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan lauded Pannun’s remarks, emphasizing that Sikh leaders and their supporters in Pakistan had long stood for the Khalistan resolution. “Today, we honor the courage of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who has declared that Sikhs will not allow the Indian Army to pass through Punjab to attack Pakistan,” Khan said, reinforcing the notion of a natural alliance between Pakistan and the Khalistan movement.

Implications for Regional Stability

As tensions mount, observers warn that these developments could pave the way for an unpredictable and dangerous escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors. Analysts note that Pannun’s appeal, if echoed by significant segments of the Sikh community, might not only embolden separatist sentiments but also further complicate the strategic calculations in the already fraught India-Pakistan relationship.

In New Delhi, senior officials have so far remained tight-lipped about the allegations. However, political commentators suggest that such incendiary rhetoric risks inflaming communal passions and could lead to broader destabilization at a time when electoral strategies appear to be intertwined with narratives of nationalism and sectarianism.

Looking Ahead

While neither the Indian government nor international bodies have yet provided independent verification of SFJ’s claims regarding the aborted Channapora massacre or the subsequent Pahalgam operation, the controversy underscores the deep fissures within India’s political and security apparatus. With the specter of war looming and geopolitical alliances being re-examined, the coming days could prove critical in shaping the future of South Asia.

For now, the eyes of the world remain fixed on the subcontinent as voices like Pannun’s call for a reassessment of loyalties, urging Sikh soldiers to consider a stance that, for him and his supporters, is a matter of honor and survival in an era of escalating political violence.

— Reporting by South Asia Correspondent