National Security or Religious Persecution? Hindu Govt Under Fire
On September 23, 2025, Satluj TV broadcast a powerful interview by US journalist Leyla Guren with former U.S. Congressman Trent Franks, past chairman of the Congressional Religious Freedom Caucus. In it, Franks directly condemned the Hindu government of India for blocking Sikh pilgrims from traveling to Pakistan for Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary.
Franks dismissed New Delhi’s justification of “national security”, saying the move was unnecessary and deeply harmful:
“The Hindu government of India are the ones who have politicized this and have caused this, or emphasized this, as a national security concern. This is simply an act of going to be able to honor their Guru. It’s as much a freedom of religion issue as you could possibly imagine — it’s the poster child for religious freedom.” — Trent Franks
National Security vs. Religious Freedom
Franks zeroed in on India’s central argument: territorial integrity and security. He countered that religious freedom does not weaken a nation — rather, true national security comes from respecting diversity and uniting citizens.
He warned that by suppressing Sikhs’ basic rights, the Hindu government is creating division within India and tarnishing its image abroad:
“If they’re really concerned about national security, they should demonstrate religious freedom. Unity comes from respecting people’s faith. To deny that is an absolute disgrace, and ultimately the whole world is watching.”
This directly challenges India’s narrative that Sikh pilgrimage represents a threat to sovereignty. Instead, Franks frames the pilgrimage as a peaceful act of faith, not politics — and therefore, denying it undermines India’s own security more than allowing it ever could.
Hypocrisy and International Image
Calling it “hypocrisy,” Franks pointed out that India permits cricket matches with Pakistan but bans Sikh religious travel. He cautioned that such double standards are fueling alienation, weakening internal unity, and reshaping India’s image from the “world’s largest democracy” to an authoritarian state hostile to human rights.
Global Significance
For Sikhs worldwide, Franks’ intervention is significant: a senior American voice openly naming the Hindu government of India as responsible for suppressing Sikh faith. His comments reinforce what the Sikh community has long argued — that appeals to “national security” are a smokescreen for policies aimed at suppressing Sikh identity and rights.
Credit
This interview was produced and aired by Satluj TV on September 23, 2025, and is available on YouTube @SatlujTV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mCRRoGK2aE&t
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWnAxwI5tSc
US journalist Leyla Guren
US journalist Leyla Guren
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