Dal Khalsa to boycott celebrations

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 24

Radical Sikh organisation Dal Khalsa on Thursday announced to organise a march on Republic Day.

While terming Republic Day as ‘betrayal day for Sikhs’, Dal Khalsa said it had planned to hold a public March in three cities of the state on January 26 to highlight their desire for independent Punjab.

An announcement in this regard was made by Dal Khalsa president Harpal Singh Cheema during a press conference.

Cheema said party activists would hold a march on the streets of Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur and Zira on Republic Day by holding Khalsa flags symbolising Sikh sovereignty.

Cheema said the march in Ludhiana would start from Gurdwara Shaheedan Pheruman near Dholewal and conclude at Jagraon Bridge.

Giving details about their proposed street shows on January 26 parallel to Republic Day celebrations, Dal Khalsa activists said more than 70 years had passed since Independence but no government at the Centre ever tried to address the contentious issues of Sikhs related to their distinct identity and rights.

“It is highly regrettable that the present Constitution denies minorities their rights to self-determination as recognised under international law. The Constitution, even if amended, can no longer redress our legitimate and genuine aspirations and provide justice to the people who aspire for self rule,” said Harpal Singh Cheema.

Explaining the reasons to boycott the Republic Day celebrations, Cheema said the distinct identity of the Sikhs was being subsumed under Article 25 (b) (2).

He said Hindu laws were being imposed on Sikhs, Punjab’s river waters were being looted by subverting the Constitution under the garb of freedom of expression.

“The Indian Constitution challenged fundamentals of Sikhism. There were no equal laws and rules for Sikh detainees, besides impunity was granted to police officials, including those responsible for Behbal Kalan firing,” added Cheema.

Dal Khalsa activists also asked the religious minorities and struggling nationalities to observe Indian Republic Day as a day of deceit and assimilation.

“Under the shadow of the Constitution and Tricolour, hundreds of dissenting Sikhs, Kashmiris and others have been killed extrajudicially,” said Cheema.