Despite facing criticism for its posters that targeted Indian diplomats, the secessionist organization Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has issued a threat to "besiege" Indian missions on Independence Day.

SFJ's legal counsel Gurpatwant Pannun released a video on Wednesday in which he made the latest threat referring to the plans of organizing a 'Khalistan Freedom Rally' on Saturday, July 8.

Pannun said, “You just wait, this is a start. On August 15, the Sikh community is going to besiege every terror house that is an Indian embassy.”

Multiple newly created social media accounts, appearing to be either pro-Pakistan or operating from Pakistan, amplified the video. India has brought this issue to the attention of Canadian authorities.

This matter has been flagged to Canadian authorities by India. However, just like the June 8 rally, the danger extends beyond the High Commission of India and its two consulates in Canada including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and other European countries.

A top Indian official claimed that the failure to take action against SFJ, such as enforcing a ban or designating it as a terrorist organization, is emboldening it.

In addition to the Indian High Commission in Ottawa's security perimeter being broken on March 23 by pro-Khalistan demonstrators using smoke bombs, concern has already been raised following last week's arson at the Indian consulate in San Francisco, US.

Pannun blamed India for the “assassination” of prominent SFJ figure Harjit Singh Nijjar on June 18 in the parking lot of a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), which is probing the killing has not ascribed any motive while it seeks the murderers.

Indian law enforcement said Nijjar was the leader of the Khalistan Tiger Force and he was accused of many terrorism-related offenses. A reward of Rs. 10 lakhs had been advertised by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for information that resulted in his detention. The SFJ has maintained that it does not utilize violence, despite the fact that none of the accusations against him were tested in Canadian courts. Pannun asserted in the video posted on Wednesday, hours after rumours circulated online of his death in a car crash in the US, that the protests will be peaceful.

Reacting to the threat to Indian officials, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly described them as “unacceptable.”

Minister of National Defence Anita Anand tweeted, “Canada will continue to ensure the safety of foreign diplomats in this country – and we take this responsibility seriously.”

Joly also made reference to the responsibilities under the Vienna Conventions, which control international consular contacts. Additionally, those ensure the protection of diplomatic facilities, noting that the "receiving State is under a special duty to take all appropriate steps to protect the consular premises against any intrusion or damage and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of the consular post or impairment of its dignity." With the release of the film on Wednesday, Pannun and the SFJ directly challenged that international agreement.

Image source: Twitter