Pro-Khalistani leaders staged protests outside the U.S. State Department and the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C., opposing the visit of Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
Sikh activists, carrying Khalistan flags, marched to the State Department and chanted slogans supporting an independent Khalistan. They condemned Jaishankar’s meetings with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, demanding sanctions against the Modi government and Indian intelligence agents.
The protesters accused Indian officials of orchestrating a murder plot targeting Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a U.S. citizen, and the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.
🟠Pro Khalistani Leaders from the Sikh community staged a protest outside the State Department and the Indian Embassy to condemn the visit of Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
🟠A large group of Sikh activists, carrying Khalistan flags, marched toward the State… pic.twitter.com/dZnUAI8XYu
— Abdullah Gul (@MAbdullahGul) December 28, 2024Following the State Department demonstration, the group gathered outside the Indian Embassy, where they slashed the Indian flag near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi. The protesters, holding Khalistan flags, chanted slogans like “Kill Modi Politics” and called for establishing an independent Sikh state.
Key Statements from Protest Leaders
Dr. Bakhshish Singh Sandhu, leading the protest, claimed:
“Jaishankar is part of a conspiracy by the Modi government targeting Sikh activists in Western countries.”
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of Sikhs for Justice added:
“Jaishankar is the face of India’s transnational repression, justifying the assassination of Shaheed Nijjar and other plots. He labels those opposing India’s territorial integrity as terrorists.”
The protests witnessed a heavy presence of D.C. police to ensure order during the demonstrations outside both the State Department and the Indian Embassy
