US authorities say they have foiled an alleged plot to assassinate a Sikh activist in New York City.
Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national, was arrested in the Czech Republic in June and charged with murder-for-hire in connection with the plot. According to the US Justice Department, Gupta was directed by an Indian government official to contact an associate in the US about the plans.
Gupta allegedly met with an undercover law enforcement officer who posed as a hitman and agreed to pay him $100,000 to kill the Sikh activist. The assassination was supposed to take place in New York City.
The US Justice Department has not released the name of the Sikh activist or the Indian government official who allegedly directed the plot. However, the BBC has identified the activist as Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who leads the banned Sikh separatist group Sikhs for Justice.
Pannun has been living in exile in the US since 1995. He is a vocal critic of the Indian government and has called for an independent Sikh state called Khalistan.
The Indian government has denied any involvement in the alleged plot to assassinate Pannun. However, it has long accused Sikhs for Justice of being a terrorist organization.
The alleged plot to assassinate Pannun is the latest in a series of tensions between the US and India over the issue of Sikh separatism. In 2019, the US government designated Sikhs for Justice as a foreign terrorist organization.
The alleged plot is also likely to raise concerns about the safety of Sikh activists in the US. Pannun has said that he feels threatened by the Indian government and that he has been harassed by Indian intelligence agents in the US.
The US government has said that it is committed to protecting the safety of all its citizens, including Sikh activists. However, the alleged plot to assassinate Pannun is a reminder of the dangers that Sikh activists face.
Sikh Activism in the US
Sikh activism in the US has been growing in recent years. Sikh activists have been working to raise awareness of Sikhism and to promote Sikh rights. They have also been protesting against human rights abuses in India, including violence against Sikhs.
The Sikh community in the US is relatively small, but it is growing. There are an estimated 500,000 Sikhs living in the US. The Sikh community is diverse, and Sikhs come from all walks of life.
Sikhs are known for their commitment to service and their belief in equality. They are also known for their distinctive turbans and beards.
The Future of Sikh Activism in the US
The future of Sikh activism in the US is uncertain. However, Sikh activists are likely to continue to be vocal in their demands for justice and equality.
Sikh activists are also likely to continue to work to raise awareness of Sikhism and to promote Sikh rights. They are also likely to continue to protest against human rights abuses in India.
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