As tensions between the UK and India continue to simmer, a prominent Sikh activist in the UK, Paramjeet Singh Pamma, has been the target of relentless threats and intimidation, allegedly from Hindu nationalist elements. The 52-year-old, a key figure in the Khalistan movement, a campaign for an independent Sikh state, has been advised by the police to install security cameras and reinforce the locks on his home due to the perceived threats to his safety.
Singh Pamma, who was granted political asylum in the UK in 2000, claims the threats are linked to the Indian government and accuses UK ministers of failing to take the “relentless transnational repression” by India seriously. The Indian government, which has long been concerned about the Sikh nationalist movement, has labelled the Khalistan movement as a terrorist threat to national security.
The plight of Singh Pamma is not an isolated case. Gurcharan Singh, another Sikh nationalist activist, has also been told by UK police that they are aware of credible threats to his safety. In one incident, Singh was advised by officers not to attend a planned protest against the Indian foreign minister’s visit to London, as his safety could not be guaranteed.
The UK’s delicate balancing act between its commitment to protecting its diverse communities and its pursuit of closer ties with the Hindu nationalist government of Narendra Modi has come under scrutiny. Singh Pamma believes the UK government is being “very diplomatic” and “waiting for the right time to use [the threats] as political leverage rather than thinking about [the activists’] safety.”
The issue has gained international attention, with the 2024-25 report by the joint committee on human rights listing India as a country of concern alongside China and Russia for its alleged involvement in transnational repression. The UK’s decision to pursue a trade deal with India, seen as one of the biggest prizes of Brexit, has further complicated the situation.
As the UK navigates these treacherous waters, the safety and security of its Sikh community members, who have made “an immense contribution to the strength of our society,” remain a pressing concern. The government’s response to the plight of activists like Singh Pamma will be closely watched, both at home and abroad.
