Khalistan

Khalistan is a proposed independent state for Sikhs that would encompass the Punjab region of India. The idea of Khalistan emerged in the 20th century, rooted in the desire among some members of the Sikh community for greater autonomy or a separate nation due to perceived grievances, including political, social, and economic issues. The movement gained significant traction during the 1980s, leading to a period of violent insurgency in Punjab, which resulted in widespread unrest and a heavy crackdown by the Indian government.

The Khalistan movement was marked by its demand for a sovereign Sikh state, which some groups advocated through armed struggle. The Indian government responded with military and police actions, most notably Operation Blue Star in 1984, which targeted militants holed up in the Golden Temple in Amritsar. This operation and the subsequent assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards led to anti-Sikh riots across the country, further deepening the divisions.

Although the insurgency was largely quelled by the early 1990s, the idea of Khalistan continues to hold some support among sections of the Sikh diaspora, particularly in countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The Indian government, however, remains firmly opposed to the idea of Khalistan, viewing it as a threat to national unity and integrity.

A viral video that was falsely claimed to show an anti-Modi procession in Canada organized by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) following the release of Arvind Kejriwal from jail.

BOOM found that the video actually depicted a pro-Khalistan rally held in Malton, Ontario, and was unrelated to Arvind Kejriwal or any events involving the AAP. The video was misleadingly shared with a false narrative to create confusion.