Separatists, secularists plan separate rallies at Houston

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 19

Groups advocating separatism and secularism will hold separate rallies in Houston on September 22. The limelight in the media is expected to be on separatists — Khalistanis and Kashmiris — who have already made their presence felt with a “dress-rehearsal” of tractor-trailer trucks festooned with flags and protest signs that started from Sikh National Centre in Houston to the NRG Centre, the “Howdy, Modi” venue.

But half a kilometre from the venue will be people of both Indian and Pakistani origin, who will be joined by progressive Jews besides Blacks and a section of Christian clergy. “Alliance of Justice and Accountability” will stage a four-hour sit-in to protest the repealing of Article 370, said the organiser. “Ours is not azadi crowd. Hindus for Human Rights, Indian American Muslim Council, Equality Labs (a Dalit organisation) and Organisation of Minorities of India will be joined by activists Zack Chatterjee Shlachte of Jewish Voice for Peace, Ashton Wood of Black Lives Matter and Pieter Friedrich, whose article had highlighted generous RSS-funding for Congresswomen Tulsi Gabbard, who has announced her disassociation from “Howdy, Modi”.

Sikhs for Justice, banned by India on July 10, aims to push for “Sikh Referendum: 2020” at the rally that will be attended by Khalistani  and Kashmiri separatists who plan to bus in at least 2,000 protesters.