By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net
Ludhiana: Dal Khalsa, a political organization of Sikhs based in Amritsar on the eve of Independence day staged a protest against what they call ‘’atrocities, political subjugation and denial of right to self determination in the last seven decades.”
Hundreds of its activists along with representatives of Akhand Kirtani Jatha, All India Sikh Students Federation and Sikh Youth of Punjab held a two-hour demonstration at Ludhiana bridge.
Terming August 15 as black day, the protesting sikhs carried black flags, banners and placards amid chanting of slogans, ‘Sikhs want Azaadi from India.’
The primary aim of Dal Khalsa is to achieve independence for the Punjabi-speaking Sikh majority region of North West India through peaceful and democratic means in order to establish a sovereign Sikh state, Khalistan.
The group also denounced Government of India for ‘crushing’ the rights of Sikhs, Kashmiris and others oppressed people.
Dal Khalsa chief Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema while addressing the gathering said, “It had been 70 long years but nothing has changed. The litany of grouses, grievances and grudges of India against the Sikh people grow with every passing year, in fact with every passing day. The original promises and commitments are long forgotten by the Indian leadership.”
“On this day, we reiterate and emphasize our historical aspiration of self rule and self-determination,” he added.
Another leader, H S Dhami said, “The flagrant manner in which desecration and vandalism of Guru Granth Sahib takes place and continues unabatedly, raises the pitch of our anger and angst uncontrollably.”
“Sikhs and Kashmiris were not alone in this crisis of identity in India. Religious minorities, regional identities and the Dalits continue to be divested of their fundamental rights,” said, Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh.
Meanwhile, All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF), President, Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad criticised the Union government for failing to protect minorities and Dalits. “The speech of the President on the eve of Indian Independence Day asking the govt to strictly stop the atrocities on minorities and Dalits, was nothing but annual lip service of Indian leadership. Ironically, nothing changes on ground,” he said.