California, A significant rally in California saw a large gathering of American Sikhs advocating for the release of Sikh activists, Amritpal Singh and Bandi Singh, whom they regard as prisoners of conscience. The activists have been incarcerated by the Indian government, which is accused of levying politically motivated charges against them. The Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) group organized this mobilization to coincide with a critical assembly in Amritsar, intending to strategize for the activists’ liberation and promote the Khalistan movement.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the rally witnessed over 1,000 pro-Khalistan supporters creating substantial traffic disruptions en route to Sacramento to express solidarity with the detained Sikh figures and to voice their demand for an independent Khalistan. The SFJ, a key advocate for the Khalistan cause, leveraged this event to call upon the global Sikh community to rally behind the concept of Khalistan and the individuals they consider wrongfully detained.

SFJ’s General Counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun highlighted the imprisonment of Amritpal Singh and Bandi Singh as emblematic of broader grievances stemming from historical injustices, notably the 1984 Golden Temple incident. He positioned the establishment of Khalistan as a critical solution to these long-standing issues and urged the Sikh community in Punjab to engage with the upcoming Khalistan Referendum.

The event also served as a platform to disseminate claims regarding the Indian government’s alleged targeting of Sikh activists, further intensifying the discourse surrounding Sikh rights and autonomy. The advocacy and planned actions reflect a concerted effort to mobilize international support for Khalistan and address perceived injustices against the Sikh community.