Amidst the Khalistani movement prevailing in Britain, a UK faith advisor has stressed the intimidation and coercion of the Sikh communities in the entire nation by fringe Khalistani elements. An Independent Faith Engagement Advisor appointed by the UK government, Colin Bloom revealed that this small aggression and provocation among the Sikh communities has been caused by the Khalistani radical sympathizers.

The Bloom Review

In his report called ‘The Bloom Review’, he has highlighted the areas of concern. Also, he pointed out the internal strife within some areas of British Sikh communities over the fight against the representation of the top official posts and getting recognition as a prominent Sikh body in Britain.

One of the main reasons for division within Sikh communities has been caused by the radical leaders. The report called it “an extremist fringe ideology within the pro-Khalistan movement.”

It said, “The third area of concern is the activities of some individuals and organisations that are demonstrably fuelling sectarianism and anti-Muslim sentiments, as well as legitimising discriminatory and misogynistic behaviour.”

The Faith Advisor also noted that several pro-Khalistani supporters associated themselves with Sikh communities, however, “their intimidatory and subversive methods are considered by most to be alien to the basic tenets of the Sikh faith.”

The British Sikh community respondents have warned the UK government not to differentiate extremist agendas of subversion from the mainstream Sikh body would end up in the UK turning a “blind eye towards religious extremisms.”

Fear of backlash and threat among Sikhs

While gathering the evidence regarding the report, the advisor noted that there have been repeated cases of people being intimidated and threatened by the Khalistani fringe elements for opposing them in public. The mainstream Sikhs always faced a huge challenge to speak up against the radical leaders, a 2019 report for the Commission for Countering Extremism said.

According to the report, ‘The changing nature of activism among Sikhs in the UK today’ when some potential respondents reportedly refused to participate because they feared backlash and others chose anonymity.

In October 2019, the British government appointed Bloom in order to provide recommendations on how to engage with faith groups in England. The report mainly focused to identify ways to support faith organizations, promote acceptance and cooperation between faith groups, tackle harmful practices, and promote values such as freedom of speech, democracy, the rule of law, and equality. Moreover, it also aimed to improve the faith literacy of the Civil Service and ensure it fulfils its role under the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Interestingly, Bloom’s report has also revealed the territorial claim by pro-Khalistani supporters for a separate Sikh homeland claim does not include the part of Punjab located in Pakistan.

“It is not entirely clear if the motivation for these extremists is faith-based or not,” it said.

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Radicals have artificially inflated their influence

The Independent Faith Engagement Advisor said the Sikh extremists, who form a tiny minority, attract an inordinate amount of attention, which ignites divisive sentiments in sectors of Sikh communities According to some respondents, these groups or individuals have sought to artificially inflate their influence and legitimise dubious positions or tactics by using the ‘Sikh’ label to lobby political bodies.

Further, the report said, “By circumventing democratic order, some groups compete for power by masquerading as human rights activists, presenting a false appearance of legitimacy.”

Use of social media by Khalistani elements and their sympathisers has ignited violence and hatred towards Muslims, Hindus and even other Sikhs who disagree with the minority extremist ideology, the report added.