Government Forms Tribunal to Review Pro-Khalistan Group Ban

The central government has set up a tribunal to determine whether the ban on the pro-Khalistan group, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), should be extended. The tribunal, led by Delhi High Court Judge Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta, will review SFJ's activities and their threat to India's sovereignty.

The central government has established an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal to assess the necessity of extending the ban on the pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), according to an MHA notification. On July 8, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) extended SFJ's classification as an unlawful association for an additional five years, effective from July 10, 2024. This prolongation follows a similar ban imposed in 2019.

The tribunal, chaired by Delhi High Court Judge Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta, is tasked with determining if there is sufficient cause to maintain the ban on SFJ under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The Ministry cited SFJ's engagement in 'anti-national and subversive activities' aimed at undermining India's sovereignty and territorial integrity as reasons for the extended ban.

According to the MHA notification, SFJ has been implicated in activities that threaten India's internal security and public order, including promoting violent extremism and militancy in Punjab to establish a sovereign Khalistan. The notification also accused SFJ of maintaining close ties with militant groups and activists, supporting secessionist efforts, and attempting to destabilize the legally established government. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)