Author Hardeep Singh

HOSHIARPUR: Pro-freedom Sikh organization Dal Khalsa has resolved to hold a “Freedom March” at Hoshiarpur on August 13 to mark its 46th foundation day, which will be dedicated to prominent Sikh leader Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed by Indian agencies in Canada last year, and organization founder Bhai Gajinder Singh, who passed away in Lahore last month.

The peaceful procession will start from Gurdwara Singh Sabha and culminate at Bus Stand Chowk, said the leaders of the organization which is raising the issue of Khalistan in India-administered Punjab, during a press conference here on August 3.

Dal Khalsa leaders Kanwarpal Singh and Paramjit Singh Tanda said , “On August 14, 1947, the Muslim brothers got their country Pakistan and similarly on August 15, the Hindu brothers got their country India, but unfortunately the Sikhs missed the bus”. 

They said since then, Sikhs are struggling for the creation of their Sovereign Nation. They said to take the Sikh struggle forward and seek the right of self-determination and (plebiscite) referendum for the people of Punjab under the United Nations, Dal Khalsa will walk on streets under the nomenclature of ‘freedom march’ on the eve of India’s independence day.

“Bhai Gajinder Singh and Shaheed Bhai Nijhar were considered as two prominent faces of the Azaadi struggle”, they pointed out. 

 The Dal Khalsa leaders said that before the march, there will be a panthic gathering at the Gurdwara Singh Sabha where leaders and representatives of Sikh organizations will share their views on the burning issues and challenges faced by Panth and Punjab. They said that Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar president Simranjit Singh Mann will be the chief guest of the event.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Gajinder Singh were declared ‘wanted” by the Government of India from time to time. On the other hand, the Akal Takht Sahib has directed the Shiromani Gurdwara Committee to place the portraits of both Bhai Gajinder and Bhai Nijhar in the Central Sikh Museum in recognition of their panthic services and contribution towards Sikh cause.