The Business of Fake Khalistan: A Betrayal of Sikh Ideals

The recent Federal Court judgment in Singh v. Canada once again exposes a troubling pattern. Applicants claimed persecution as Khalistan supporters, only for the court to find their stories riddled with inconsistencies, even relying on fraudulent medical records. This is not an isolated case—it reflects a larger industry of deceit where the so-called Khalistan movement becomes nothing more than a convenient ticket to foreign shores.

For years, Canada and the United States have seen waves of asylum seekers claiming they face threats in India due to Khalistan sympathies. In truth, most of these claims collapse under scrutiny. Behind the dramatic testimonies lie carefully rehearsed scripts, designed to tug at the West’s sense of compassion. Once entry is secured, many quietly shed their so-called activism and melt into the comforts of a new life abroad.

Exploiting Sikh Identity

What makes this manipulation deeply offensive is that it hijacks Sikh identity itself. Sikh history is one of courage, sacrifice, and truth. Guru Tegh Bahadur gave his life for the freedom of others, not for concocted stories to win immigration battles. Guru Gobind Singh called upon Sikhs to be saint-soldiers, defenders of justice, not opportunists forging medical records for personal gain.

When individuals misuse the Sikh name to exploit foreign asylum systems, they tarnish the dignity of the Panth. They reduce our martyrs’ sacrifices to a bargaining chip for visas. And while genuine refugees—people truly fleeing war, persecution, or tyranny—struggle for protection, these fabricated Khalistan claims clog the system and erode trust.

The Propaganda Machine

The deception does not stop at the immigration counter. Self-styled Khalistani “leaders” in the diaspora thrive on keeping this myth alive. They spread propaganda from safe Western cities, painting India as a land where Sikhs cannot live with dignity—conveniently ignoring that Sikhs serve as Prime Ministers, Army Chiefs, Chief Justices, and business leaders in India today.

Their game is two-fold: keep foreign governments convinced that Khalistan is a living struggle, and keep young Sikhs abroad emotionally invested in a cause that has no ground reality in Punjab. The payoff is power, money, and the ability to manipulate immigration loopholes.

Sikh Values vs. Fake Khalistan

The tragedy is not just political—it is spiritual. Sikhism stands for chardi kala (eternal optimism), sarbat da bhala (welfare of all), and living fearlessly with truth. Fake Khalistan claims betray these values. They turn a sacred community into a political tool.

The real Sikh way is not to fabricate persecution but to confront challenges with dignity. The Gurus never asked Sikhs to run away on false pretenses. They asked us to fight injustice, wherever it exists, with honesty and courage.

A Call for Clarity

Canada’s courts are beginning to see through the charade, as in this recent case. But the larger community must also speak clearly. Khalistan has become a business, not a belief. It thrives on deception, not devotion.

True Sikhs should call it what it is: a betrayal of our history, our martyrs, and our values. The world should know that the Sikh community does not stand behind fraudulent asylum claims or foreign propaganda. Sikhism flourishes in India, where it was born, and will continue to flourish with truth as its shield.