The pro-Khalistan separatist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) is currently facing an intense internal rift as it prepares for its planned Khalistan referendum in Indianapolis on 16 August 2026. This rising internal tension within the organisation came to light publicly after a prominent SFJ leader openly accused another key figure in the movement of actively facilitating the arrest of a third Khalistani activist.

Harjap Singh Japhi, a Sikh activist based in Greenwood, Indiana, who has been a long-time supporter of the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) referendum campaign, has publicly criticised JS Dhaliwal, a close associate of top SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. This public confrontation followed the recent detention of Manmohit Singh Chahal by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Statements circulating across various social media platforms and video broadcasts released directly by Japhi reveal that Chahal was taken into custody by ICE agents due to allegations of illegal entry into the United States. Manmohit Singh Chahal serves as the host of a Khalistani television channel and is recognized as a prominent Khalistani activist closely associated with the SFJ network in the state of Indiana.

Prior to his detention, Chahal had been actively involved in supporting referendum-related events. He maintained continuous contact with the core campaign team and contributed heavily to local organizational efforts ahead of the SFJ’s planned Khalistan Referendum scheduled for 16 August 2026 in Indianapolis. Chahal is directly associated with Desi Junction Indy TV, a pro-Khalistan media platform run and managed by Japhi.

In video messages posted across social media networks, Desi Junction Indy TV formally confirmed that Chahal had indeed been detained by federal ICE authorities. The media outlet confirmed that he was subsequently transferred to a federal detention facility located at the Clay County Justice Centre in Brazil, Indiana. Following this confirmation, the platform issued a direct appeal to its viewers and community supporters to launch a concerted campaign aimed at securing his release.

In his video remarks, Japhi strongly condemned JS Dhaliwal, accusing him of using insulting and irresponsible language regarding Chahal immediately following the detention. Japhi highlighted a specific point of concern: Dhaliwal appeared to possess confidential details regarding Chahal’s legal representation—information that was not publicly available at the time. According to Japhi, this specific detail raised serious suspicions that the formal complaint or tip-off leading directly to the ICE enforcement action may have originated from within the internal SFJ organizational team itself. Japhi further questioned why the central SFJ leadership had taken no steps to restrain Dhaliwal or demand a formal explanation for his controversial statements, arguing that such reckless conduct severely damages the credibility of the broader campaign and discourages genuine supporters from participating.

Reiterating his long-standing commitment, Japhi emphasized that he and his immediate associates have consistently backed Pannun, the SFJ, and the broader referendum initiative over many years. He outlined that this extensive operational support included physically displaying promotional posters, attending organized rallies, and personally providing security and logistical assistance during key events. He also clarified that his independent media platform, Desi Junction Indy TV, was built and operated entirely using his personal funds alongside local commercial sponsorships, without ever launching public appeals for financial donations. Japhi insisted that offering constructive criticism of Dhaliwal’s personal behaviour should never be interpreted as opposition to the overarching Khalistan cause or the referendum effort itself. He criticized the organizational leadership’s growing tendency to automatically brand every internal critic as an enemy of the movement, demanding full internal accountability and warning that he remains fully prepared to release further confidential information into the public domain if deemed necessary.

Profile Breakdown: Key Figures Involved in the Dispute

Harjap Singh Japhi

Harjap Singh Japhi is a US-based Sikh activist originally hailing from Bhilowal in the state of Punjab, India. He currently resides in Greenwood, Indiana, where he runs a local grocery store and operates a regional media platform. He has been connected to pro-Khalistan activities and the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) referendum campaign for a prolonged period, providing social media outreach alongside ground-level organizational support.

According to official documents issued by the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the extension of the legal ban on SFJ, Indian law enforcement agencies have linked Japhi directly to FIR No. 93 of 2016, registered at the Police Station Chabbewal in Hoshiarpur district under multiple provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Arms Act. In that investigation, law enforcement authorities identified him as a US-based handler managing an SFJ-linked operational module that was involved in distributing Referendum 2020 promotional materials, Khalistani flags, and illegal firearms. Official records further describe him as an active member of the banned terrorist outfit Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), alleging that he instructed associates via the internet and encrypted social media applications to procure weapons and explosives intended to revive armed terrorism within Punjab. Having been declared a Proclaimed Offender in the matter, a formal Look Out Circular (LOC) remains active against him in India. He continues to evade arrest as an absconding accused in related proceedings conducted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) concerning the larger Punjab Referendum 2020 conspiracy.

JS Dhaliwal

JS Dhaliwal is a North America-based media personality operating across the United States and Canada. He serves as the primary Host and Director of US Media International, an independent digital media platform dedicated to covering news and political developments across Punjab, India, and the global diaspora. Within community circles, Dhaliwal is widely recognized as a primary media spokesperson and trusted associate aligned directly with Sikhs for Justice and its global figurehead, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. He routinely utilizes his media reach to promote SFJ’s Khalistan Referendum campaign, broadcast official organizational announcements, host SFJ programs, and advocate publicly for the separatist movement.

Manmohit Singh Chahal

Manmohit Singh Chahal is an Indiana-based Sikh activist and the primary host on the pro-Khalistan digital television outlet Desi Junction Indy TV. He has served as an active grass-roots organizer and public advocate for the Sikhs for Justice referendum drive, coordinating local logistical efforts and remaining in direct communication with the core campaign planners. He was recently taken into federal custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on charges related to unlawful entry into the United States.