In yet another provocation towards India, a banned pro-Khalistani outfit has announced a reward of USD 1.25 lakh (Rs 93.5 lakh) for anyone who would raise the Khalistan flag at the Red Fort in New Delhi on the 74th Independence Day celebrations tomorrow.
The US-based outfit 'Sikhs For Justice' (SFJ) has issued an official statement in this regard and said that August 15 is no independence for Sikhs as it reminded them of atrocities they suffered during the partition in 1947.
In the official statement, SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said, "Nothing changed for us, but the rulers. We are still labelled as Hindus in the Indian Constitution and natural resources of Punjab were being unjustly appropriated for other states. We need true independence."
Delhi Police and national security agencies have been put on alert following the provocative announcement. The investigative agencies are scrutinising the email announcing the reward.
According to reports, a case may be soon registered against Pannun for issuing the anti-national threat in lieu of the upcoming Independence Day.
As many as six FIRs have been registered against Pannun and his associates in Punjab in the last two months. They have been accused of sedition and trying to divide the country.
Pannun has been actively pushing for a political referendum amidst the COVID-19 crisis, seeking a separate state for the Sikh community through IVR calls and emails. He claims it to be legal under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).