‘Anti-India’ and ‘pro-khalistan’ slogans just for Rs. 2000, Delhi Police nabs two

The Special Cell of Delhi Police on Sunday arrested two men in connection with the alleged -anti-national’ and ‘Khalistan-related graffiti’ that appeared on walls in areas of west Delhi, on January 19, ahead of Republic Day.

The walls were painted with anti-India slogans like ‘Khalistan Zindabad’ ‘SFJ,’ ‘1984,’ ‘Punjab Khalistan,’ ‘Vote for Khalistan’ and ‘Referendum 2020’ at various locations in Vikaspuri, Janakpuri, Pachim Vihar, Peeragarhi, Meera Bagh and adjoining parts in west Delhi.

The accused – identified as Vikram Singh (29), a resident of Tilak Nagar, and Balram Singh (34), from Bharatpur in Rajasthan – were assigned to paint ‘pro-Khalistani’ slogans in Western part of Delhi in lieu of Rs. 2 Lakh and for further lucrative offers in future, a senior police officer said.

However, both the accused were paid only Rs. 2,000 after the act, the officer informed.

While addressing a press conference, HGS Dhaliwal, Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) said the arrested accused secretly sprayed ‘pro-Khalistani graffiti’ during the intervening night of January 18 and 19 and recorded videos of the same and sent them to senior cadres of the Sikh for Justice (SFJ) based abroad.

Mr. Dhaliwali further claimed that ‘proscribed terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun broadcasted the videos on his YouTube responsibility of the graffiti and threatening an attack on Republic Day in Delhi. Multiple cases were registered in various police stations of Delhi in this regard.’

Delhi Police has claimed that since SFJ is a banned organisation, and it is trying to mark its presence with such notorious acts in and around Delhi.

Run by a few radical sikhs of foreign nationality in the US, Canada, the UK etc. was declared unlawful by the Union Government under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

In its July 10, 2019 notification, Centre had declared the SFJ an unlawful association and had banned it for five years, claiming the group ‘openly espouses the cause of Khalistan and in that process, challenges the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India.’