2023 Sikh protests

The 2023 Sikh protests were a series of rallies from February to October 2023. They began following a registration of a first information report (FIR) in the Ajnala police station against Khalistan separatist leader Amritpal Singh and his aides for purported kidnapping and theft. Singh's close associate Lovepreet Toofan Singh was detained, prompting Amritpal Singh to issue an "ultimatum" to Punjab Police to revoke the case, and, upon their unresponsiveness, his supporters thereafter started mass protests and stormed the police complex with weapons. Although Lovepreet Toofan Singh was subsequently released, Punjab Police launched a crackdown on Amritpal Singh for obstruction of law enforcement. This resulted in a series of demonstrations led by Sikhs in India, as well as diasporic Sikhs.

The second phase of the protests began in June 2023, following the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, another Khalistani separatist, in Canada. In July, Khalistani supporters set the Indian consulate in San Francisco on fire, which was later suppressed by the San Francisco Fire Department. In September 2023, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau declared India to be involved in the killing of Nijjar, which was denied by the Indian government. These issues led to the ongoing Canada–India diplomatic row. Sikhs activists in the United States led demonstrated in cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento and New York City.

On 18 March 2023, Indian authorities launched a manhunt for Amritpal Singh after he was accused by police of attempted murder, obstruction of law enforcement and creating "disharmony" in society.

During the manhunt, Indian authorities deployed thousands of paramilitary police and restricted mobile Internet and mobile messaging services for nearly 30 million people across the Punjab state. Indian authorities also arrested more than 200 people while conducting a massive manhunt. Meanwhile, Singh was nowhere to be found.

After more than a month, on 23 April 2023, Singh was arrested from Rode village in Moga district, Punjab. Later, he was taken to the high-security Dibrugarh jail in Assam state.

On 15 March 2023, the Honorary Consulate of India located in Brisbane, Australia, was forced to temporarily shut down after Khalistan supporters blockaded the entry.

On 19 March 2023, Singh's supporters pulled down the Indian flag and waved the Khalistan flag instead at the India House, London. They also broke a window. In reaction India summoned Britain's most senior diplomat and removed barricades outside of the British High Commission in New Delhi. Two security guards suffered minor injury and a protester was later arrested in connection to the incident.

In Mohali, Punjab and Sohana Chowk hundreds of protesters under the Kaumi Insaaf Morcha blocked important roads to the airport. Heavy police deployment occurred with multiple high ranking officers arriving to the site. Some left after leaders requested the protest end but many stayed. The protest led to delays in traffic. Some protesters created stone and brick walls which blocked service lanes and slip roads bring the traffic to a full halt. Nihangs were there on horses brandishing weapons. All traffic coming from Chandigarh had been diverted as police barracatied all four doors leading to Sohana Chowk. After three days of the roads being blocked on 22 March police cleared the protesters arresting 25 people. Police also seized weapons including swords, farm tools, and spears. The Superintendent of Police (SP), Navreet Singh Varak was injured along with four other officers.