Pieter Friedrich - the man named in the “toolkit” document case related to the Indian farmers’ protest which erupted after climate activist Greta Thunberg tweeted about it supporting the farmers. Friedrich on Tuesday has issued a statement saying he has been “targeted” because he has emerged as "one of North America’s most relentless voices against the rising fascism of the Modi regime &, particularly, the RSS, going so far as to work to have the RSS declared as a terrorist organization, which it is."
Friedrich, according to the security agencies, has been the forefront face of a Khalistani conspiracy.
Denying all the charges levelled against him, Friedrich said that Hindu rightwing has funded the presidential campaign of Democrat Tulsi Gabbard in 2019. In the post, titled Modi Regime Attacks Pieter Friedrich for Striking Against RSS’s Fascist Agenda, Friedrich claimed he had "absolutely zero involvement" with the Khalistani movement today.
"As the Khalistan movement today—with which I have zero involvement—appears to me to be entirely propped up by the Modi regime for purposes of creating a Frankenstein monster on which it can blame all ills, it seems to serve no other purpose than as a Modi regime psy-op to distract attention from the crimes of the RSS-BJP. It’s laughable that the entire world today—from a white Christian writer like myself to a Black Barbadian singer like Rihanna—are labelled as supporters of a fictitious Sikh separatist state," Friedrich wrote in an article on his website.
Friedrich also replied to the claims of his links with Bhajan Singh Bhinder alias Iqbal Choudhary, who has connections with Khalistani groups. He said he has co-authored two books with him and came to know about issues of human rights in India. Friedrich also said that he learnt about the concept of ‘Khalistan’ was made up by the Indian government for undermining the legitimate Sikh activism that supported human rights.
Friedrich further stated that he stayed with Bhinder because he had "disavowed the concept of Khalistan" and acknowledged the idea of a universal humanitarianism.
Speaking on being called the “mastermind” of the toolkit document that was tweeted by Greta Thunberg, Friedrich said all are false charges and he had nothing to do with it.
Planning the toolkit and hashtags to support the farmers’ protest would have been an honour for him, said Friedrich, adding he always stands with peaceful protesters around the world who are fighting against tyranny and particularly with Indians.
“Yet, I had nothing to do with it, unfortunately, despite my dedication to opposing the 'Butcher of Gujarat,' as Modi has come to be nicknamed after his involvement in the 2002 Gujarat Pogrom," he wrote.
He has been constantly targeted by RSS claims Friedrich.
Calling Modi government fascism, Friedrich wrote that he has been targeted because he has appeared as “one of North America’s most relentless voices against the rising fascism of the Modi regime and, particularly, the RSS, going so far as to work to have the RSS declared as a terrorist organization, which it is,” Friedrich wrote.
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What did the Delhi police say?
On Monday, the Delhi police said that since 2006 Friedrich has been under Indian security authorities radar after he was found to have links with Bhajan Singh Bhinder alias Iqbal Chaudhary. Bhinder has been the leading advocate of the K2 (Kashmir-Khalistan) which is a section of ISI, and Friedrich was associated with him, said the police.
"Why his (Friedrich) name is there on the document or why should he (Friedrich) be followed will be answered by Disha and her associates. Did they contact Friedrich through Mo Dhaliwal or directly contact him is a matter of investigation," a senior police officer said.