Punjab Police have filed charges against Pannun, a pro-Khalistani leader, for inciting hostility and issuing threats to the management of a Hindu temple.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a pro-Khalistan leader and Sikh separatist, was charged by the Punjab Police for inciting religious or racial animosity. The First Information Report (FIR) was lodged at the Sultanwind police station in Amritsar on January 23, according to a Wednesday police statement.
Pannun allegedly stated in a social media video that the Shri Durgiana Mandir in Amritsar lacks historical significance in Hinduism. He also reportedly cautioned the temple management to close its doors and surrender the keys to the Golden Temple administration.
The police confirmed that the case was filed based on Pannun’s social media video.
Pannun was charged under sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race), 153B (issuing or publishing statements that incite discord or hatred among different religious, racial, language, or regional groups), and 505 (making, publishing, or disseminating any statement, rumor, or report) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), as well as provisions of the IT Act, according to the police.
On January 16, Pannun subtly threatened Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Police Chief Gaurav Yadav, urging state gangsters to join the Sikhs For Justice and prevent top political leaders from participating in the Republic Day parade.
In one of the alleged videos, Pannun challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the Republic Day parade without security. In another video, he invited Punjab gangsters to join the Sikhs for Justice, take part in a Khalistan referendum, and prevent Mann from raising the Tricolour on Republic Day.
