Sikh leaders slam use of children in anti-Modi protest

Top Sikh leaders have strongly condemned a viral video that allegedly shows young Sikh children kicking posters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling the act politically motivated and inappropriate.

Criticising the use of children in such demonstrations, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Monday said: “After their financial support dried up, these individuals (pro-Khalistan protesters) have now resorted to such acts. These are politically motivated and should not be taken seriously." The video, believed to have originated in Canada, has drawn sharp reactions from other Sikh parliamentarians as well.

Politically motivated

After their financial support dried up, these individuals (pro-Khalistan protesters) have now resorted to such acts. These are politically motivated and should not be taken seriously.

— Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister  

Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney, sharing the clip on X, expressed deep disappointment. “It is deeply unfortunate when innocent minds are fed with hate instead of hope,” he said.

Highlighting various initiatives undertaken by the Modi government for the Sikh community,  Sahney, who is also the international president of the World Punjabi Organisation, pointed to key measures such as the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor, efforts to deliver justice to the 1984 riot victims, and the easing of visa and FCRA norms for overseas Sikhs. Emphasising the importance of dialogue over division, he invoked the words of Guru Nanak Dev: “Jab tak duniya rahe, Nanak kuch suniye, kuch kahiye.”

Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu also condemned the incident, describing it as both “disturbing” and “dangerous.” He wrote, “This is not Sikhism,” and urged the global Sikh community to reject the spread of hatred in the name of religion. “Sikhism is a faith born on the battlefield, yet deeply rooted in compassion, dignity, and Sarbat Da Bhala,” he said, adding that it was painful to see young children, who have yet to understand the world, being burdened with blind hatred.

He praised PM Modi’s outreach to the Sikh community and called on Sikhs worldwide to uphold the legacy of the Gurus and reject divisive propaganda.

India