Funeral of Pro-Khalistan Activist Avtar Singh Khanda Draws Supporters Amid Visa Controversy

 ---- The funeral of pro-Khalistan activist Avtar Singh Khanda took place on Saturday in Smethwick, in the West Midlands in Britain, drawing a crowd of approximately 1,000 people. The event saw many attendees wearing orange attire, holding Khalistan flags, and chanting Khalistan slogans.

However, the funeral was marred by the absence of Khanda's immediate family members, as his mother, Charanjit Kaur, and younger sister, Jaspreet Kaur, were denied visas by the UK home office. Consequently, they watched the funeral proceedings through a live stream, unable to repatriate Khanda's body to India due to visa hurdles.

What added to the controversy surrounding the visa refusal was the mention of a previous incident involving the pull-down of the Indian flag outside the Indian high commission in London on March 19, 2023, in the visa refusal letter seen by Sky News. Three Indian media article links were included, suggesting Khanda's involvement in the flag incident.

However, the Metropolitan Police, in a statement to TOI, clarified that Khanda was neither arrested nor charged in connection with the incident. Instead, a 22-year-old man was arrested and remains on bail. The police further added that they do not disclose the identity of individuals who have been arrested.

The refusal letter also alluded to the detention of Khanda's mother and sister for questioning, insinuating a risk of visa overstay. It is important to note that Khanda's father, Kulwant Singh Khukhrana, was a Khalistan Liberation Force leader who was killed by Indian security forces in 1991.

Avtar Singh Khanda passed away on June 15 at Birmingham City Hospital after battling terminal blood cancer. Known for his active involvement in the Khalistan movement, Khanda played a significant role in the grooming and marriage of incarcerated Waris Punjab De chief, Amritpal Singh, to Briton Kirandep Kaur. He also shared a close bond with actor-turned-Khalistan-activist Deep Sidhu, who tragically lost his life in a road accident in India in February 2022.

The funeral procession commenced with Khanda's coffin being transported to Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick in a white carriage pulled by four white horses adorned with orange feathers. Hundreds of mourners, brandishing Khalistan flags, lined the streets to pay their respects. The carriage bore white wreaths with the words "Khalistan" on one side, each letter corresponding to one wreath, and "Zindabaad" on the other side.

Two yellow Khalistan flags were prominently displayed on the carriage. Following the carriage was a black hearse adorned with wreaths spelling out the words "Sadaveer" and "Brother." Hundreds of supporters queuing up in an open casket paid their final respects to Khanda, many of whom held Khalistan flags. As the crowd fervently chanted "Khalistan Zindabad," Khanda's coffin was returned to the carriage, which then proceeded to the Sandwell crematorium.

Mourners walked behind the carriage, continuing to express their allegiance to Khalistan through slogans throughout the procession. The words "Khalistan Zindabad" were visibly printed on the side of the coffin, further symbolizing their commitment to the cause. The funeral of Avtar Singh Khanda constituted a gathering of fervent Khalistan supporters, demonstrating their unwavering devotion and allegiance to the movement.

The absence of Khanda's immediate family due to visa complications and the underlying controversy surrounding the inclusion of the flag incident in the visa refusal letter added to the somber atmosphere of the funeral. Nonetheless, attendees paid their respects in a vibrant and expressive manner, using colors, flags, and slogans to commemorate the life of a prominent pro-Khalistan activist.