While India-Canada continues to remain in a diplomatic standoff over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the most wanted in India, Scotland's PM Humza Yousaf has been accused of sheltering & not stopping funding of Pro-Khalistani outfit Sikh For Justice (SFJ). Sikh For Justice (SFJ) has been banned in India and its chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has been declared a terrorist in India under the UAPA law. SFJ's modus operandi is the creation of a Sikh nation called Khalistan which is currently known as Punjab in India. Ever since Rishi Sunak has taken the chair of UK's Prime Minister, he has opted to back India's stance and intensified crackdown on Khalistani outfits, especially after the attack on Indian High Commission in London.
While the UK is now keeping its stance firm against Khalistan on India's protest, the outfits have now reportedly made Scotland their backyard. According to Khalistan Extremism Monitor (KEM), a website that monitors Khalistani activities, Humza Yousaf's government is not putting any stop to the funding that is being done in the name of Khalistan in Scotland. Sikh for Justice (SFJ) is busy raising funds in Scotland.
Notably, the SFJ wants to hold a referendum in Scotland in 2024 and for that, it has reportedly collected Rs 20 crore from there. Interestingly, there is a ban on crowdfunding by banned organizations in Scotland. Now, the question arises who is Scotland's Prime Minister Humza Yousaf accused of not stopping SFJ and other Khalistani outfits from carrying out 'anti-India' activities? Below is everything you need to know-
Who is Humza Yousaf?
Humza Yousaf is the first Muslim leader of a devolved government in the United Kingdom and also the first Muslim leader of a major UK party. Hamza came into power after defeating rivals Kate Forbes and Ash Reagan in a vote of members of the Scottish Nationalist Party to clinch the leadership of the party.
Talking about Humza Yousaf's Pakistan link, his father Mian Muzaffar Yousaf, came to Scotland from Mian Channu in Pakistan’s Punjab in the 1960s. Humza Yousaf's mother, Shaaista Bhutta, moved from Kenya to Scotland also in the 1960s. His paternal grandfather worked at a Singer sewing machine factory in the industrial town of Clydebank when the family first emigrated to Scotland.
Talking about his education, Humza Yousaf was educated at the Hutchesons’ Grammar private school in Glasgow and later at Glasgow University. Notably, before entering politics, Humza worked at a call centre.
Hamza Yousaf was the first elected as a list MSP from Glasgow region in 2011. He was one of seven regional (list) MSPs elected to Scottish Parliament from each of Scotland’s eight parliamentary regions. At just 26, he was then the youngest MSP.
Indian envoy stopped from entering Scotland gurdwara
It is worth mentioning that Vikram Doraiswami, the Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, was prevented from entering a gurdwara in Scotland last month. Reportedly, Doraiswami was stopped by a group of radical British Sikh activists, who told him he was "not welcome".
In an official release, Indian High Commission in UK in its official release informed, "On September 29, 2023, three persons- all from areas outside Scotland-deliberately disrupted a planned interaction organized by the Gurudwara Committee for the community, the High Commissioner and the Consul General of India. This interaction was to discuss community and consular issues.
"The organizers included senior community leaders, ladies and Committee members, and a member of Scottish Parliament. They were threatened and abused by these elements. In an effort to prevent any potential altercation, the HC and CG decided to leave the premises shortly upon their arrival. One of the non-local extremist elements attempted to violently force open the HC's car door- a matter that will require suitable police consideration. It is due to the quick reaction of one of the organizers, who physically intervened at the car door, that a bigger incident was avoided.
"The High Commission of India has reported this disgraceful incident to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the Metropolitan Police. Multiple community organizations including the organizers have formally regretted the incident and have urged the authorities to take action against the culprits."