FBI Probes Drive-By Shooting of Sikh Activist Linked to Separatist Movement

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched an inquiry into a drive-by shooting incident targeting Satinder Pal Singh Raju, a California-based Sikh activist with connections to the Khalistan separatist movement. The attack, which occurred on August 11, 2024, has raised concerns about potential international involvement and ongoing threats to Sikh community leaders in North America.

Raju, a member of Sikhs for Justice, an organization advocating for an independent Sikh state in Punjab, India, was traveling with two companions on Interstate 505 South in Yolo County when their vehicle came under fire. The incident bears similarities to previous attacks on Sikh activists, including the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia, in June 2023.

"With the first shot, I ducked down. But then I heard more gun shots fired. This is how Hardeep Singh Nijjar had been assassinated and the whole picture of the scene went through my mind."

The FBI's Sacramento office confirmed its collaboration with the California Highway Patrol in the ongoing investigation. This case adds to a series of incidents involving Sikh activists in North America, including an alleged assassination attempt against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a prominent figure in the Khalistan movement, which was reportedly foiled by the FBI.

The Khalistan movement, which seeks to establish an independent Sikh state in Punjab, has a complex history dating back to the 1980s. The movement led to a violent insurgency in India's Punjab state during that period before being suppressed by the Indian government. Today, the Khalistan issue remains a sensitive topic, with India declaring Sikhs for Justice an unlawful association in 2019.

Sikhism, founded in the 15th century in Punjab, is the world's fifth-largest organized religion. The Golden Temple in Amritsar, the holiest Sikh gurdwara, has been at the center of historical events such as Operation Blue Star in 1984, which targeted Sikh separatists. This operation led to the assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards, further escalating tensions.

The recent shooting incident and ongoing threats against Sikh activists have raised concerns about the safety of community leaders and the potential for international involvement in these events. As investigations continue, the case highlights the complex interplay between diaspora politics, separatist movements, and international relations.

Raju remains committed to his activism, stating, "This attack on me and the death threats is not going to deter me from continuing the campaign." As the FBI and local authorities pursue their investigations, the incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing tensions surrounding the Khalistan movement and its global implications.