User:Southasianhistorian8/Millitancy

In August 2022, Amritpal Singh, a self styled, radical preacher came to prominence after being appointed as the head of Waris Punjab De in the wake of Deep Sidhu's death (a succession described as illegitimate by the relatives and some associates of Sidhu). He subsequently embarked on a campaign and numerous preaching tours advocating for the creation of Khalistan and for Sikhs to recieve baptism, imbibe religious values, shun drugs and other vices, and adhere to a more austere lifestyle. He glorified the use of violence and weapons during public events. In March 2023, Indian authorities initiated a crackdown on Waris Punjab De, alleging the organization's involvement in attempted murder, attacks on police personnel, and spreading disharmony in Punjab. He was eventually arrested on 23 April after absconding and being on the run for 35 days.

Numerous protests, particularly among diaspora Sikhs, occured in the aftermath of Singh's arrest. While many transpired without incident, numerous violent attacks were reported in various locations. A mob of protesters attacked the Indian consulate in San Francisco, another mob attacked the Indian High Commission office in London and attempted to pull down the Indian flag off the pole, broke windows and inflicted minor injuries on security staff. The NIA has claimed that a group of protestors in San Francisco were exhorted to kill all representatives of the Indian government. Further, two people poured flammable material in the entrance of the consulate and attempted to set the building on fire. In Canada, Sikh groups attacked and threw two grenades in the Indian High Comission Building in Ottawa. Amritpal Singh's brother in law, Amarjot Singh, has been named as the primary accused in the attack. In Washington, Khalistani supporters verbally intimidated and physically assaulted an Indian journalist covering the protests. In Surrey, another journalist was allegedly assaulted and harassed by Khalistani supporters. The Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, was threatened with assasination by Khalistanis. On July 2, Khalistani extremists set the Indian consulate in San Fransisco on fire. The arson attempt was promptly surpressed by the San Fransisco Department, resulting in limited damage to the building and no injuries to the staffers present. The incident was condemned by State Department spokesman, Matthew Miller. A video of the incident was released on Twitter by Khalistani supporters, suggesting the attack was retaliation for the recent death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the former chief of the Canada based, Khalistan Tiger Force, an extremist millitant organization.