Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), the US-based separatist organization banned as a terrorist group in India, has resumed professional lobbying activities in Washington after a four-year hiatus, according to federal disclosure documents filed in April 2025.
The secessionist group, led by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has re-engaged The Livingston Group LLC for the first quarter of 2025, marking a strategic return to formal lobbying efforts coinciding with the Trump administration’s inauguration in January 2025.
Current Lobbying Registration Details
According to the lobbying disclosure report filed on April 10, 2025, The Livingston Group has registered to represent SFJ on “issues related to the intimidation and harassment of US citizens of Sikh ethnicity by individuals and entities outside of the United States for expressing their personal and political views.”
The Q1 2025 lobbying activities covered an extensive range of federal offices, including the US Senate, US House of Representatives, White House Office, State Department, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Defense. The registration lists former Congressman Robert L. Livingston and his former chief of staff J. Allen Martin as the primary lobbyists, along with Cathryn Kingsbury.
Summary of Previous Lobbying Efforts by SFJ
SFJ’s lobbying history reveals a pattern of brief, unsuccessful attempts to establish sustained advocacy presence in Washington over the past five years:
2020 – First Attempt with The Livingston Group: In March 2020, an entity named ‘Greater America LLC’ engaged The Livingston Group on behalf of SFJ, with lobbying activities that included the White House Office. The firm disclosed $10,000 in income from the client for Q1 2020, but filed a termination report within just one month on April 17, 2020.
2021 – Blue Star Strategies Engagement: SFJ’s second attempt involved hiring Blue Star Strategies LLC, which described SFJ as a “US-based NGO that supports the secession of Punjab from India.” The lobbying registration was filed on March 12, 2021, with the specific goal to “raise awareness in the US of treatment of Sikh community in India.” However, this effort also proved short-lived, with Blue Star Strategies filing a termination report effective May 31, 2021 – again, within three months.
2025 – Return to The Livingston Group: The current engagement represents SFJ’s third documented lobbying attempt and marks a return to their original lobbying firm after nearly five years.
The resumption of these anti-India lobbying activities under the new Trump administration raises serious concerns about renewed efforts to influence US policy against India’s national interests. SFJ’s systematic attempts to gain access to the highest levels of the US government – including the White House, State Department, and Defense Department – demonstrate the persistent threat posed by Pakistan-backed separatist elements operating freely on American soil.
