In a move sparking concern and criticism, the Indian government has arrested popular Sikh YouTuber Jasbir Singh, accusing him of spying for Pakistan—a charge his supporters say is part of a broader campaign to silence Sikh voices online.
Jasbir Singh, the creator of the YouTube channel "Jan Mahal", was arrested under allegations of being linked to a Pakistani espionage network, according to Indian police and Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav. Authorities claim Singh maintained contact with individuals including Jyoti Malhotra, Shakir alias Jatt Nandwa, and Ehsan-ur-Rahim alias Danish, and that phone numbers connected to Pakistan were found on his mobile device.
Indian media also reported that Singh had visited Pakistan in 2020, 2021, and 2024, raising suspicions about his alleged involvement in "anti-national activities."
The arrest has ignited backlash from Sikh groups and digital rights advocates, who accuse the Modi government of attempting to criminalise expressions of Sikh identity on social media. They argue that the government is misusing anti-terrorism laws like UAPA, shutting down accounts, deleting posts, and filing treason charges simply for referencing Khalistan or supporting groups like Sikhs for Justice.
Critics call the arrest a “sinister conspiracy” to equate Sikh nationalism or dissent with espionage, pointing out a growing trend of surveillance on Sikh social media activists and the inclusion of ordinary Sikh citizens in intelligence watch lists, especially in Punjab.