Hoshiarpur, Punjab (August 14, 2013): In a written statement S. Harcharnjit Singh Dhami, President of the Dal Khalsa, has termed ‘August 15’ as a day of betrayal and deceit by the Indian leadership with the Sikhs and stressed India’s history of broken promises in Punjab. August 15 is observed as day of Independence by India.
Dal Khalsa head Harchranjit Singh Dhami gives a clarion call to the Sikh people to observe India’s Independence Day as ‘black day’ and stay away from celebrations. “As a matter of fact we are not against India or its people but unless it fulfills the demands and addresses aspirations of the people of Punjab in general and Sikhs in particular, it has no moral justification to celebrate its Independence Day, he said.”
It has been clear to us for decades that the Sikhs cannot achieve any justice or progress within the confines of the present Indian political system that is so viciously opposed to our legitimate goals, desires and aspirations, he said. Outstanding issues dating back to partition days remain unresolved to this day despite promises from the Indian leadership to help find a solution.
Let it also be known, that Sikhs are not alone in this struggle against the New Delhi’s hegemony. Right now, the Kashmiris, Nagas and Assamese are also observing India’s Independence Day as a Black Day. We condemn the flagrant violations of the fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people in the valley. We equally condemn the violence in Kishtwar designed to divide the people on communal lines by pro-Hindutva elements for their vested interests.
Dhami pointed out that the statement by Minister of State for Home RPN Singh in the Lok Sabha regarding the revival of militancy in Punjab attributed to Sikh militant groups is designed to damage the image of the community. Our heart goes in support of all those pro-freedom leadership including Bhai Daljit Singh Bittu who are suffering long detentions because of their dissenting beliefs.