WASHINGTON, Aug 17: Pro-Khalistani figure Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s endorsement of former US.President Donald Trump’s proposed 500% tariffs on Indian exports has been labeled a betrayal of the Sikh community by a Khalsa Vox report.
The report argues that Pannun’s support aligns with economic harm to Punjab, especially its Sikh farmers and dairy workers, and contradicts his claims of championing Sikh rights.
Punjab’s economy heavily depends on agriculture and dairy, with key exports such as basmati rice, textiles, and processed foods targeted by the proposed tariffs.
These would make Punjabi products costlier in U.S. markets, likely slashing Indian exports by 40–50%. Worse, the report warns that if India opens its markets in retaliation, heavily subsidized U.S. farm and dairy giants could flood Indian markets, undercutting small Sikh farmers and cooperatives like Amul.
The report highlights that the cultural and economic foundations of Sikh identity, deeply tied to farming, would be threatened. “Pannun’s position exposes a troubling contradiction,” the report states, accusing him of prioritizing anti-India rhetoric over the well-being of Sikhs.
It concludes that true support for Punjab lies in safeguarding its farmers and cooperatives—not in backing foreign policies that jeopardize livelihoods. Pannun’s stance, it says, is not pro-Sikh or pro-Punjab, but a clear betrayal. (IANS)
