Sikh secessionist group condemns Kabul temple attack

SFJ leader says while Afghan attack was carried out by 'non-state' actors, those in India are 'state-sponsored'

A Sikh secessionist group on Sunday condemned the terrorist attack in Kabul by "non-state" actors, while also denouncing "state-sponsored" attacks on the temples situated in India.

"In India, starting from July 4, 1955, attacks on Sikh temples are always state-sponsored, General Counsel Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said in a videotaped statement as he condemned the attack in Afghanistan carried out "by non-state actors".

Pannun went on to urge the Sikh community to support the Khalistan referendum to create a Sikh homeland in "Indian occupied Punjab".

“Once Sikhs have Khalistan, all those involved in non-state and state terrorism against Sikhs will be held accountable under the international laws,” he maintained.

The Sikh leader called upon Sikh bodies such as Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) to openly support the January 26 voting for the referendum in India instead of pleading the Modi regime for help in this regard.

'Temple is not Indian embassy'

Meanwhile, in another statement directed towards the terrorist outfit ISIS, Pannun said: Killing innocent Sikhs was not a sign of bravery. "Sikhs are not Indians and a Sikh place of worship, temple, is not an Indian embassy."

The SFJ leader advised the outfit not to use violence against the members of the community, but instead, organise peaceful global protests against India in response to the remarks made against the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

An attack on a Sikh temple in the Afghan capital of Kabul killed at least two people and injured seven on Saturday, following a blast in a car loaded with explosives, officials said.

Also read: Attack on Sikh temple in Afghanistan's capital Kabul kills two

A day earlier, the attack in the Afghan capital killed two people and injured seven, following a blast in a car loaded with explosives.

Some attacks in recent months in Afghanistan have been claimed by the militant group.

Sikhs are a tiny religious minority in largely Muslim Afghanistan, comprising about 300 families before the country fell to the Taliban. But many left afterwards, say members of the community and media.

Like other religious minorities, Sikhs have been a continual target of violence in the country. An attack at another temple in Kabul in 2020 that killed 25 was also claimed by Islamic State.

(With additional input from Reuters)