Khalistani separatist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) is facing an intense internal rift ahead of its planned Khalistan referendum in Indianapolis on 16 August 2026. The internal tension in the group came to light after one prominent leader of SFJ accused another leader of facilitating the arrest of a third Khalistani leader.
Harjap Singh Japhi, a Greenwood, Indiana-based Sikh activist and long-time supporter of the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) referendum campaign, has publicly criticised JS Dhaliwal, a close associate of SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, following the detention of Manmohit Singh Chahal by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to statements circulating on social media and videos released by Japhi, Chahal was recently taken into custody by ICE for illegal entry into the United States. Manmohit Singh Chahal is the host of a Khalistani television channel and a prominent Khalistani activist associated with SFJ in Indiana.
Chahal has been actively supporting referendum-related events, remained in contact with the campaign team, and contributed to organisational efforts ahead of the SFJ’s planned Khalistan Referendum scheduled for 16 August 2026 in Indianapolis. Chahal is associated with Desi Junction Indy TV, a pro-Khalistan media platform run by Japhi.
In videos posted on social media, Desi Junction Indy TV confirmed that Chahal has been detained by ICE and sent to the detention centre at Clay County Justice Centre in Brazil, Indiana. The platform appealed to its supporters to launch a campaign to release him.
In his video remarks, Japhi accused JS Dhaliwal of using insulting and irresponsible language about Chahal after the detention. He pointed out that Dhaliwal appeared to possess details about Chahal’s lawyer that were not publicly known, which, according to Japhi, raised serious suspicion that a complaint leading to the ICE action may have originated from within the SFJ team itself. Japhi questioned why the leadership had neither restrained Dhaliwal nor sought an explanation for his comments, arguing that such conduct was damaging the broader campaign and discouraging genuine supporters.
Japhi emphasised that he and his associates had consistently backed Pannun, SFJ and the referendum initiative over the years. This support, he said, included displaying posters, attending programmes, providing security and organisational assistance. He clarified that his own media platform, Desi Junction Indy TV, was established with personal funds and local sponsorship without any appeal for donations. Criticising Dhaliwal’s behaviour, Japhi insisted, should not be construed as opposition to the Khalistan cause or the referendum itself. He compared the leadership’s tendency to brand every critic an enemy of the movement and demanded accountability, stating he was prepared to place further information in the public domain if necessary.
About the three Khalistanis
Harjap Singh Japhi is a US-based Sikh activist originally from Bhilowal in Punjab who currently resides in Greenwood, Indiana, where he runs a grocery store and operates a local media platform. He has long been associated with pro-Khalistan activities and the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) referendum campaign, including social media outreach and organisational support. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs document on the extension of the ban on SFJ, Indian authorities have linked him to FIR No. 93 of 2016 registered at Police Station Chabbewal in Hoshiarpur under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Arms Act.
In that case, he was identified as a US-based handler of an SFJ-linked module involved in distributing Referendum 2020 material, Khalistani flags and firearms, and was also described as a member of the banned Khalistan Liberation Force who directed associates via internet and social media to procure weapons and explosives with the aim of reviving terrorism in Punjab. He was declared a Proclaimed Offender in the matter and a Look Out Circular was issued against him. He remains absconding and continues to feature among accused persons in related NIA proceedings concerning the Punjab Referendum 2020 conspiracy.
JS Dhaliwal is a US- and Canada-based media personality who serves as Host and Director of US Media International, an independent platform covering Punjab, India and international politics. He is widely regarded as a close associate and media voice aligned with Sikhs for Justice and its leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. He regularly promotes SFJ’s Khalistan Referendum campaign, shares organisational messaging, appears at SFJ programmes, and advocates strongly for the separatist cause.
Manmohit Singh Chahal is an Indiana-based Sikh activist and the host of a pro-Khalistan television channel known as Desi Junction Indy TV. He has been an active supporter and organiser associated with the Sikhs for Justice referendum campaign, participating in related events and remaining in contact with the campaign team. He was recently detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on grounds of illegal entry into the United States.
