Tensions are escalating in Indian Punjab as Sikh activists, under the banner of the diaspora-based group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), have announced they will halt electricity and water supply to Indian military and air force bases across the state from June 1 to June 6.
The announcement was made by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, leader of SFJ, in a video message posted on Instagram. He directly addressed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, warning that military installations in Adampur, Pathankot, Bathinda, Jalandhar, and Ambala should be evacuated during the specified period or face a complete disruption of essential services.
Pannun linked the move to the 1984 Indian Army assault on the Golden Temple (Operation Blue Star), stating that Adampur Air Base, from where helicopters were launched in the attack, remains a symbol of historic Sikh grievances. “This is the very base from where the Indian military attacked Sri Akal Takht Sahib. Our resistance is rooted in memory, justice, and sovereignty,” he declared.
The video also showed banners reportedly put up in Khuradpur and Badampur, where SFJ supporters displayed Khalistan and Pakistani flags, openly declaring symbolic support for Pakistan and calling for liberation from Indian rule.
Pannun further declared that the Khalsa Panth is now on the path to reclaiming its sovereignty, urging Sikhs to prepare for the foundation of a “Khalistan Army.” He invoked historical examples of Sikh resistance, referencing martyrs from the 1984–1995 insurgency period, and described the upcoming June actions as a continuation of that legacy.
The group sent a pointed message to both Prime Minister Modi and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, demanding the relocation of military assets outside Punjab, arguing that the state “is on the path to freedom” and should no longer host “occupation forces.”
While SFJ remains a banned organisation in India and its calls are often dismissed by the Indian government as seditious, the group’s messaging continues to find resonance among segments of the Sikh diaspora and disaffected voices in Punjab.
The Indian Home Ministry has yet to issue an official response to the new threats. However, analysts warn that such symbolic escalations — especially when paired with anti-state rhetoric and overtures toward Pakistan — are likely to intensify internal security scrutiny and regional tensions.
The situation underscores growing discontent among sections of India’s Sikh population and raises concerns about how the government will respond to what could become a flash-point in the run-up to the anniversary of Operation Blue Star in early June.
