Author Hardeep Singh

AMRITSAR On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the attack on the Darbar Sahib by the Indian Army in June 1984, a ‘Holocaust remembrance march’ was held by the Sikh organization Dal Khalsa in the city of Amritsar. 

Thousands of Sikhs participated in the march. Starting from Burz Akali Phula Singh and reaching Durbar Sahib, youths, elders, children and women carried Khalistan flags and pictures of Sikh martyrs in their hands and raised slogans of ‘Khalistan Zindabad’.

Party president Harpal Singh Cheema while addressing the gathering said that the struggle of Sikhs was to achieve Sovereignty. Referring to the doctrine of the ‘Khalsa either ruler or the rebel’, he said, “We, as a rebel, are struggling to regain our Sovereignty and independence”. 

“We are holding this march to pay tribute to our martyrs of June 84 and to tell the Indian government that even after forty years, our wounds are still fresh and we haven’t forgiven the perpetrators of this attack. To prevent such barbaric attacks in the future, it is necessary that every section of the Sikhs, especially the youth, should be alert and understand the designs and malafide intentions of the enemy”, he added.

The organization also called for an ‘Amritsar Bandh’ on June 6 in protest against the Indian attack on Darbar Sahib and other Gurdwaras.

The working president of the party, Paramjit Singh Mand, while addressing the enthusiastic gathering, said tomorrow June 6 is a Khalistan Day for us in the true sense. He said that during the last forty years, the efforts, sacrifices and martyrdoms of Sikhs have illuminated the path of Khalistan.

In response to a question asked by media persons on the results of the Lok Sabha elections yesterday, Mand said that there was a resurgence in Panthic sentiments for the past few years, which was exemplified by the people of Khadoor Sahib and Faridkot in favor of Panthic representatives. 

He said, “It would be good if the government and Godi media also give up malice propaganda against Sikh activism and recognize the fact that the Panthic spirit and idea of Khalistan is alive and kicking”.

“Dal Khalsa has taken a principled stance to stay out of the electoral politics under the present Indian dispensation. The Sikhs  have placed a huge responsibility on the shoulders of those who have adopted the electoral path to carry forward the Sikh cause. The organization will hope that both the candidates who have won the LS elections will live up to the sentiments and expectations of the Panth”, he added.

He clarified that the goal of Dal Khalsa and its allied organizations was to make Punjab a sovereign state and they are determined, committed and dedicated to achieve the mission by exercising the right of self-determination through referendum under UN. 

The Dal Khalsa leader was holding a placard in his hand with the portrait of Sant Bhindranwale and the portrait of martyr Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was murdered on Canadian soil. Pointing to that placard, Mand said that from Sant Bhindranwale to Bhai Nijjar, Indian security establishment continues to kill our heroes and freedom-loving Sikhs. 

The protestors gathered in large numbers raised slogans of Punjab’s independence and paid homage to the martyrs of the June 84 military attack on the Darbar Sahib and showed their devotion to Khalistan.

Political affairs secretary of Dal Khalsa Kanwarpal Singh said that Amritsar city will remain closed on 6th tomorrow.

Bhai Jasbir Singh Rode, Gurdeep Singh Bhatinda, Harpal Singh Blair, Mandeep Singh Sidhu also participated in the march. 

Addressing the congregation, Harcharanjit Singh Dhami, Paramjit Singh Tanda, Jasvir Singh Khandur, Baba Hardeep Singh, Gurwinder Singh, Amrik Singh and Sikh Youth of Punjab President Gurnam Singh said that the Indian military attack on Sikhism can never be forgotten. He said that nations never forget the sacrifices of their martyrs and make every possible effort to preserve their heritage and history for the next generation.