Sikh Militancy — Current Affairs 2026

Current Affairs Connections

Recent developments and news linked to Sikh Militancy.

Social Media Propaganda and Attempts to Revive Khalistan Narrative Amidst Farmer Protests (2025)

2025-02-10

While the farmer protests are primarily economic and agricultural in nature, intelligence reports in 2025 indicated attempts by certain pro-Khalistan groups, often operating from abroad, to exploit the discontent and push their separatist agenda through social media. These groups leveraged online platforms to spread misinformation, incite communal disharmony, and glorify past militant figures, aiming to radicalize youth and create a fertile ground for revival. This demonstrates the evolving tactics of extremist elements, shifting from overt violence to information warfare and psychological operations. For UPSC, this illustrates the contemporary challenges of cyber security, information manipulation, and the need for robust counter-narratives to protect national unity.

UPSC Angle: Cyber security, radicalization through social media, information warfare, external influence on domestic protests, internal security threats.

Background (2024)

Earlier events that provide context for this topic.

India-Canada Tensions Escalate Over Allegations of Khalistan Extremism (2024)

2024-03-15

Recent diplomatic tensions between India and Canada have frequently centered on allegations of Canadian inaction against pro-Khalistan extremist elements operating from its soil. India has repeatedly expressed concerns over the activities of Sikh separatist groups, including alleged threats to Indian diplomats and the organization of 'referendums' for Khalistan. These events underscore the persistent challenge posed by diaspora-based radicalization and external support for separatist ideologies, even decades after the decline of active militancy in Punjab. From a UPSC perspective, this highlights the transnational nature of internal security threats and the complexities of international relations when dealing with issues of extremism and sovereignty.

UPSC Angle: Transnational terrorism, diaspora's role in internal security, diplomatic challenges, external state actors' influence, radicalization.