Golden Temple

He added that the demand for special status for the Golden Temple was meant to give Sikhs living around the world a say in choosing the Jathedar of the Akal Takht, one of the five seats of power of the Sikhs. Experts believe this demand will require constitutional amendments to allow non-indian citizens to engage with an institution in Indian territory.

“The decisions at the Akal Takht affect Sikhs around the world and they would like to have a say in these matters,” the person added. The foreign ministry did not respond to requests for a comment on the issue.

Regular contacts have continued between the Sikh groups and the government despite the obstruction by Canadian authorities of a key meeting in Toronto in November 2016 between Rai, Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary Ram Madhav and the Sikh groups, as reported by Hindustan Times on February 22.

After establishing contact with Uk-based Sikh groups, the government had been hoping to bring on board the radical groups in Canada. But after Canada denied an Electronic Travel Authorisation to Rai, the Sikh groups refused to meet Madhav in the interlocutor’s absence.

Rai visited New Delhi in January for talks with Indian officials to take forward the process.

The people familiar with the developments said there had been some progress in whittling down the “blacklist”, allowing former Khalistan supporters to visit India. One case that recently came to light was the removal from the list of Jaspal Atwal, a Canada-based convicted Khalistani terrorist, though his presence in India during Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s visit caused embarrassment to the Canadian government.

A handful of political prisoners have also been released though about 17 of the most highprofile prisoners, such as Lal Singh, continue to be in jail, the people said.