New Delhi: The leader of the banned group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has issued a fresh threat to disrupt the upcoming Mahakumbh, a significant religious gathering in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, which is set to begin on 13 January.
In a video message shared on social media, Pannun called on his supporters to raise Khalistani and Kashmiri flags at the Lucknow and Prayagraj airports.
Pannun warned that the Mahakumbh event, one of the largest religious congregations globally, would become a “battlefield.” The Mahakumbh, a key religious ritual for millions of Hindu devotees, is held at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. Pilgrims believe that taking a holy dip during the event can bring salvation.
This marks the second time in less than two weeks that Pannun has threatened to disrupt the Mahakumbh. In an earlier video, he specifically targeted critical bathing dates during the festival, including Makar Sankranti (January 14), Mauni Amavasya (January 29), and Basant Panchami (February 3).
Pannun’s recent threats come on the heels of a violent encounter in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, in December, where three pro-Khalistan militants were killed during a clash with police from Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.
In response to these threats, authorities have heightened security measures in anticipation of the Mahakumbh, with a focus on preventing any disruptions to the event, which attracts millions of Hindu pilgrims from across the world.
