Washington (TDI): Sikhs for Justice has announced its support for rebuilding the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, a statement that has sparked both curiosity and controversy.
Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a US-based pro-Khalistan advocacy group founded in 2007 by lawyer Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has long campaigned for Sikh self-determination and the creation of an independent homeland called Khalistan.
The group’s statement regarding the Babri Masjid issue adds a new and unexpected dimension to its political message. SFJ’s leader, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, said that once Khalistan is “liberated,” the historical mosque will be reconstructed at the very site where the Ram Mandir now stands.
This statement reflects a bold intertwining of political ambition and religious symbolism; a double-edged message delivered to both Sikh and Muslim communities.
Pannun emphasized that if Muslims wish to preserve their identity in India, they must be ready to make sacrifices to protect their faith and historical heritage.
He added that history cannot be erased by bulldozers or extremist mobs. According to him, the Ram Mandir stands today due to the ideological extremism of the BJP and RSS that followed the demolition of the Babri Masjid.
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He tied the goal of rebuilding the mosque to a broader vision of Sikh self-determination, saying that such an act would affirm the SFJ’s historical and spiritual claims in Punjab.
It also serves as a rallying cry for those who view the Babri Masjid’s demolition and the subsequent temple construction as a grave injustice.
The Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, was demolished on December 6, 1992, during a rally organized by the RSS, VHP, and BJP. The event triggered widespread communal riots and left long-lasting social repercussions, intensifying Hindu-Muslim tensions.
The grand inauguration of the Ram Mandir by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 22, 2024, further strengthened the site’s symbolic significance in India’s religious and political landscape.
Historically, Sikh and Muslim communities have maintained close ties, particularly in Punjab. In Pakistan, Sikh communities continue to preserve their religious and cultural heritage alongside Muslim neighbors, highlighting a centuries-old bond of shared traditions, festivals, and mutual respect.
Minahil Khurshid
Minahil Khurshid holds a Master's in Peace and Conflict Studies from NUST. She is passionate about current affairs, public policy, and geopolitics.
