New Delhi, July 10: The Centre on Wednesday banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). The union cabinet declared it as an unlawful association. The action was taken against the SFJ was pushing for Sikh Referendum 2020. Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh welcomed the Centre’s decision. Captain Singh described it as the first step towards protecting the nation from the anti-India/secessionist designs of ISI-backed organisation.

Earlier also, the Punjab CM had lambasted the SFJ for planning to separate Punjab from India.  According to sources of Ministry of Home Affairs, wanted to use Kartarpur Corridor for propagating their secessionist ideology. In August last year, pro-Khalistani Organisation SFJ held a rally demanding a separate country for Sikhs. More than 2,500 people participated in the rally to issue so-called ‘London Declaration’ for holding Referendum 2020’. Kashmiri separatist groups also extended their support to the ‘London Declaration.’ The anti-India rally was also supported Britain’s left-wing Green Party of England and Wales.

According to a report published in The Tribune, the decision was taken. Punjab police had booked more than half a dozen cases against SFJ activists in India for terrorist activities. Several cases were also reportedly registered against its activists in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Meanwhile, Pakistan had already banned the organisation in April this year.

SFJ’s spokesperson and legal head Gurpatwant Singh Pannun had recently posted a video message threatening Punjab Police for the state government's steps against the Referendum 2020. Last month, micro-blogging site Twitter had suspended Pannun’s account following a complaint by the Indian government

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 10, 2019 06:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).