Google continues to give platform to Khalistani elements

Even though Google had claimed that it had removed pro-khalistani applications from its platform in November 2019 following a request from the Punjab state government, the same are still available for download, an investigation by The Sunday Guardian has revealed. Worse, as the analysis of this app revealed, it was “updated” in November 2019, indicating that it was never really taken down from Google’s platform.

Also, a website, run by the same people who are behind the mobile app, and which had come on the radar of the intelligence agencies following which it was “banned” from being accessed from India, is accessible by using easily available proxy servers. Thus it defeats the whole purpose of Government of India and the Punjab state government of keeping it out of the reach of gullible youths.

The app, “2020 Sikh referendum”, and the website, “yes2khalistan.org“, were both accessible for download and registering as on 6 January (check screenshot).

As per intelligence agency officials, both these platforms are being managed by people associated with “Sikhs for Justice” (SFJ), a UK based Khalistani group, which has been accused of inciting internal disturbance in the country. Its name has cropped up in the recent protests that are happening in and around Delhi as well.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, by its 10 July 2019 notification, had declared SFJ to be an unlawful association