Khalistani terrorist threatens attack during Maha Kumbh 2025, vows revenge for Pilibhit encounter

Case ID : 5954a74 | Location : India | Date of Incident : Tue, 24 December, 2024
Case ID : 5954a74
location India
date 24 December, 2024
Khalistani terrorist threatens attack during Maha Kumbh 2025, vows revenge for Pilibhit encounter
Hate speech against Hindus
Violent threats
Anti-Hindu slurs, mocking faith

Case Summary

Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun released a threatening video targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Pannun, leader of the banned group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), vowed revenge for the December 23 encounter in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, where three Khalistani terrorists were killed by Punjab and UP Police. The terrorists, affiliated with the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), were involved in a grenade attack in Punjab's Gurdaspur. In the video, Pannun accused the Indian government of orchestrating a "fake encounter" and offered Rs. 5 lakh in financial support to the families of the slain terrorists. He threatened to disrupt the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj on key Shahi Snan dates (January 14, January 29, and February 3), asserting that his organisation would "shake the foundation" of Hindutva. Pannun's video included derogatory remarks against Hinduism and political leaders, referring to CM Yogi Adityanath and CM Bhagwant Mann using slurs rooted in Khalistani propaganda. Reacting swiftly, Pilibhit Police registered a case against Pannun under relevant sections at the Cyber Police Station and assured ongoing legal action. Authorities stated they are taking the threats seriously to ensure the safety of the upcoming Maha Kumbh Mela.

Why it is Hate Crime ?

This case has been added to the tracker under the primary category of- Hate speech against Hindus. Under this, the first sub-category selected is- Violent threats. Violent threats, explicit, implicit or implied, is the most dangerous form of hate speech since it goes beyond discriminatory and prejudicial language to express the intent of causing harm to an individual or a group of people based on their religious identity and faith. There could be several different kinds of threats that are issued to Hindus based on religious animosity. An explicit threat would mean the direct threat of violence towards an individual Hindu, a group of Hindus or Hindus at large. Physical violence, death threats, threats of destruction of property belonging to Hindus and threats of genocide would mean explicit threats against Hindus for their religious identity. Implicit threats may not be a direct threat but implied through the use of symbols of actions – for example – in the Nupur Sharma case, other than explicit threats, there were also implicit threats when Islamists took to the streets to burn and beat her effigies. It implies that they want to do the same to Nupur Sharma – thereby is considered an implicit threat. Violent threats can be delivered in person, through letters, phone calls, graffiti, or increasingly through social media and other online platforms. It would be important to understand that a threat – explicit or implicit, online or offline – to an individual who happens to be a Hindu does not qualify as a religiously motivated threat. Such a threat, while vile and dangerous, could be owing to non-religious reasons and/or personal animosity. To qualify as a religiously motivated threat, it would need to exhibit an indication that the individual is being targeted for religious reasons and/or owing to his/her religious identity as a Hindu. The second sub-category selected here is- Anti-Hindu slurs, mocking faith. Anti-Hindu slurs and the deliberate mocking of the Hindu faith owing to religious animosity involve the usage of derogatory terms, stereotypes, or offensive references to religious practices, symbols, or figures. One of the common anti-Hindu slurs used against Hindus is “cow-worshipper” and “cow piss drinker”. The intention of using this term is to demean and mock Hindus as a group and their religious beliefs since Hindus consider the cow holy. Additionally, some symbols and the slurs attached to them have a historical context that exacerbates the insult, hate, stereotyping, dehumanisation and oppression against Hindus. Cow worship has been used for centuries to denigrate Hindus, insult their faith and oppress Hindus specifically as a religious group. There has been overwhelming documentation about how cow slaughter has been used to persecute Hindus with cow meat being thrown in temples and places of worship. There has also been overwhelming documentation where cow meat (beef) has been force-fed to Hindus to either forcefully convert them to Islam or denigrate their faith. Apart from cow worship, the Swastika – which holds deep religious significance for the Hindus – has also been misinterpreted and distorted to use as a slur against Hindus. Similarly, the worship of the Shivling has been used by supremacist ideologies and religions to denigrate Hindus owing to religious animosity. Such slurs and denigration stem out of inherent animosity and hate towards Hindus and their faith, therefore, it is categorised as hate speech targeted at Hindus specifically owing to their religious identity. The Kumbh Mela is one of the most significant and sacred events in Hinduism, celebrated every 12 years at four alternating locations in India: Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. The Maha Kumbh Mela is an even larger event that takes place once every 144 years, marking a rare and highly auspicious occasion. Both are rooted in ancient Hindu mythology and considered a spiritual gathering where millions of devotees, saints, and ascetics come together to bathe in holy rivers. The ritual bathing is believed to cleanse participants of their sins, purify their souls, and lead them closer to liberation (moksha). The event symbolizes faith, devotion, and the unity of the Hindu community. Using derogatory remarks against Hinduism and threatening to attack the Maha Kumbh Mela can be viewed as a hate crime against Hindus. Such threats aim to instil fear among the Hindu community and disrupt their religious practices. The targeting of a cultural and spiritual gathering reinforces animosity towards the Hindu faith and constitutes an attack on the collective identity of its adherents. These actions are not only criminal but also driven by religious hatred, further highlighting their nature as hate crimes. It is important to note that the Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, along with threatening an attack on the Maha Kumbh and derogatory remarks against Hinduism, also targeted PM Narendra Modi, CM Yogi Adityanath and CM Bhagwant Mann. While it may seem that the threats and slurs directed at the country, its Prime Minister, and Chief Ministers do not directly target Hindus, the underlying truth reveals otherwise. Khalistani separatists perceive India as a Hindu collectivity and harbour specific animosity toward Hindus and their faith. Their demand for a separate state stems from the belief that the Sikh religious identity is distinct from India's perceived Hindu identity, much like Islam. Therefore, threats against India or its leadership are inherently anti-Hindu and reflect deep-seated hostility, constituting a hate crime.

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Case Status


Complaint registered

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Perpetrators Details

Perpetrators


Sikh Extremists

Perpetrators Range


One Person

Perpetrators Gender


male

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