A prominent Sikh temple in the United States has called on the Trump administration to look into the Hindu American Foundation (HAF), claiming that the Pennsylvania-based organization is serving as a “foreign agent” for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian government.
According to a report in The Guardian, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) has been asked to decide whether the HAF should be required to register as an agent of India. The Fremont Gurdwara Sahib, which serves 5,000 Sikh worshippers each week and is regarded as a central part of the global Sikh community, has made this request.
According to the Gurdwara, the organization ought to be open and honest about all of its dealings, including those with US lawmakers and ties to the Indian government.
The HAF has hosted foreign officials at its events, facilitated meetings between foreign officials and US lawmakers, and publicly backed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on both domestic and international issues, according to a letter from the Gurdwara to US Attorney General Pam Bondi.
As a nonpartisan charity with no affiliations to any foreign government or political organization, the HAF refuted the charges.
The foundation further asserted that a “coordinated campaign” against the HAF has been orchestrated by proponents of the Khalistan movement, which aims to establish an independent Sikh state.
The HAF said, “We are willing to meet with Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, FBI Director Kash Patel, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and other security officials to discuss these damaging and untrue allegations.”
These assertions coincide with continuing hostilities between the Indian government and Sikhs who are demanding their own state. The Indian government has been accused of targeting Sikhs overseas in recent years, especially with the 2023 assassination of Canadian Khalistan supporter Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
According to the Canadian government, Nijjar’s death was caused by Indian operatives.
