On December 10, Taiwo Owatemi, Labour MP for Coventry North West, had tweeted in support of Sikhs for Justice, a secessionist organisation demanding Khalistan, a independent region for Sikhs. She mentioned, “I stand with #SikhsForJustice and the Sikh community’s ideal to self-perseverance on #UNDayOfHumanRights. This is the clearest way that the conflict amongst Sikhs and the Indian authorities can be fixed.” The tweet was in favour of a independent nation for Sikhs. Later, she deleted the tweet right after sharp criticism.
Response on her tweet supporting SFJ
The Labour MP received sharp criticism for her tweet throughout the platform. Although some netizens identified as her ignorant, some others prompt that she is advertising and marketing separatism.
British Labour MP @TaiwoOwatemi deletes tweet supporting secession of Punjab from India. She says that a staff member component of her social media workforce posted the tweet with out her awareness. Did the team member not examine that SFJ is banned in India?https://t.co/AjwEzDwER3
— Aveek Sen (@aveeksen) December 12, 2020
British MPs promoting religious separatism in the colonies… https://t.co/ufNLo0M39g
— omar ali (@omarali50) December 11, 2020
Shocker. Sitting down Labour MP supports banned “Sikh for Justice” team that is calling for Khalistan. https://t.co/npxW2aafwn
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) December 12, 2020
So here is a labour MP from United kingdom advocating spiritual separatism. Even while this demonstrates her lack of being familiar with on issues relevant to India, but also reveals the hatred of Labour Bash in British isles in direction of India. https://t.co/ps597SjgqC
— Binu Nair (@binunair_66) December 12, 2020
#BritishIndians #BritishSikhs desire apology from @TaiwoOwatemi MP from #Coventry North West for supporting #SikhsForJustice – Organisation which is banned in India ??. @Keir_Starmer should we choose your silence as Sure & Endorsement for #AntiIndja agenda in #LabourParty ?? https://t.co/vAk4AJJABa
— British Indians Voice ???? (@BritIndianVoice) December 11, 2020
Owatemi states her personnel member posted the tweet
Immediately after deleting the tweet, Owatemi wrote on Twitter that her workers member who manages her social media account posted it without having her knowledge. She said, “A tiny quantity of men and women emailed me to publish a suggested tweet supporting Sikhs for Justice. Unbeknown to me a personnel member who assists to operate my social media posted the tweet. This has now been deleted. I sincerely apologise for any offence brought about to any of my constituents.”
A small selection of individuals emailed me to write-up a suggested tweet supporting Sikhs for Justice. Unbeknown to me a staff member who helps to run my social media posted the tweet. This has now been deleted. I sincerely apologise for any offence triggered to any of my constituents.
— Taiwo Owatemi MP (@TaiwoOwatemi) December 12, 2020
Sikhs for Justice deemed as a terrorist group by India
Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) was banned by the Indian authorities on July 10, 2019, less than the Illegal Routines (Avoidance) Act for anti-India functions on July 10, 2019. India had declared the founder of Sikhs for Justice, Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, a terrorist in July 2020. In the very same thirty day period, 40 web sites of SFJ were blocked by the Indian govt. SFJ has been hoping to lure Punjab’s youth for Referendum 2020 and generate unrest in the area. Pannu experienced just lately unveiled a online video in which he explained that SFJ would give money to farmers who are collaborating in the ongoing protests in Delhi.