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The ban was first imposed in 2019 and extended for further five year by the MHA owing to the anti- national activities of SFJ
The Central government has extended the ban on the pro-Khalistan group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) for an additional five years. The initial ban was imposed in 2019 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, due to the group's separatist activities.
"Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-sections (1) and (3) of section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967), the Central Government hereby extends the declaration of the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) as an unlawful association and directs that this notification shall, subject to any order that may be made under section 4 of the said Act, have effect for a further period of five years from 10th day of July, 2024," the notification, issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) mentions.
In the 2019 notification, the MHA stated that SFJ, under the guise of advocating for a Sikh referendum, was promoting secessionism and militant ideology in Punjab. The notification cited the group’s involvement in "anti-national and subversive activities aimed at disrupting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India.” It was also revealed that the group operates from safe havens abroad and is actively supported by hostile forces in other countries.
Founded in 2007 by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a US-based attorney, SFJ seeks "self-determination for the Sikh people in their historic homeland" in "Indian-held Punjab" and aims to establish a sovereign state known as Khalistan. Pannun, who is currently in his late 40s, continues to lead the organization from abroad.
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