London, December 28, 2025: A demonstration outside the Bangladeshi High Commission in London on Saturday briefly turned tense when pro-Khalistan Sikh activists and a small group of Hindu protesters confronted each other, prompting swift intervention by the Metropolitan Police.
The protest was held in connection with reports of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. During the gathering, a brief scuffle broke out involving Paramjeet Singh Pamma—identified by organizers as a coordinator of the Khalistan Referendum campaign—and an Indian Hindu protester.
Police officers on duty quickly intervened, separating the individuals and dispersing the groups from close proximity to the diplomatic mission. No injuries were reported. Following the incident, pro-Khalistan Sikh protesters formed a cordon near the embassy entrance and continued their demonstration under police supervision.
Protesters raised political slogans and accused the Indian government of involvement in the killings of Sikh activists, including Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Police maintained a presence in the area to prevent further confrontation and said the situation was brought under control. The Metropolitan Police did not issue any immediate statement regarding arrests or further action.
The Khalistan movement, which seeks an independent Sikh state carved out of India, traces its origins to the period surrounding the 1947 partition of British India, when proposals for a separate Sikh homeland were discussed during negotiations over the division of Punjab.
India has designated Pamma as a “most wanted terrorist,” a designation he and his supporters strongly reject. He currently resides in the United Kingdom. UK authorities have not announced any charges against him, and previous Indian extradition requests have not resulted in court action.
The incident comes amid heightened international scrutiny following the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead in June 2023 outside a Sikh temple in Vancouver. Nijjar, 45, was wanted by Indian authorities on terrorism-related charges, which he denied. His killing triggered a major diplomatic dispute between India and Canada.
In a related development, US authorities in November 2023 thwarted an alleged plot to assassinate Sikh separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the United States and later warned India over concerns of possible involvement, according to the Financial Times. In October 2024, the US Justice Department indicted an Indian intelligence official and an Indian national in connection with the alleged plot.
Meanwhile, in March this year, India requested the United States to designate Sikhs For Justice, a Sikh separatist group, as a terrorist organization. The issue reportedly arose during talks between Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and visiting US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.
