Sikh Leaders saluting Khalistan Flag at Fatehgarh Sahib
Fatehgarh Sahib: (May 12, 2010): On May 12, Khalistanis made their presence felt, albeit briefly, on the streets of Punjab during a parade to observe the tercentenary of Sikh rule established by Baba Banda Singh Bahadur in 1710.
Pro-Khalistan flags, posters, banners were raised and photos of Sikh “martyrs” displayed at a parade (nagar kirtan).
Pro-Khalistan slogans were also raised at the Khalsa Raj Parade organized by the Dal Khalsa to mark the tercentenary of first Sikh rule established by Sikh warrior Baba Banda Singh Bahadur. Hardliners and family members of slain militants in large numbers participated in the parade, which started from Chaparchiri and concluded at Sirhind in the evening.
Floats carrying Khalistani banners and photos of Sikh Martyrs was source of attraction.
A float carrying Khalistani banners and photos of ‘martyrs’ including Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale, Sukhdev Singh Babbar, Talwinder Singh Parmar, Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala, Gurbachan Singh Manochal (all heads of Sikh militant groups), Dilawar Singh, Jagtar Singh Hawara was source of attraction.
A large size poster of Dal Khalsa’s mentor Gajinder Singh, whose names figures in 20 most wanted persons, was distributed amongst masses all the way. The message on the float having pictures of Sikh Martyrs was Sikh Martyrs last will: Khalistan. Most of the young participants were wearing Bhindrawale’s T-shirts.
Khalsa Raj March organized by Dal Khalsa
The Parade was organized by Dal Khalsa which has a support of SAD (Panch Pardani), Khalsa Action Committee, Sikh students Federation and UK based Council of Khalistan.
On reaching at Fatehgarh Sahib, the organizers unfurled, saluted and paid respect to Sikh Flag, which they claimed symbolizes the Sikh sovereignty.
Striking a discordant note, the organizers honoured Dilawar Singh, the assassin of former chief minister Beant Singh with ‘Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Bravery Award. They claimed that Dilawar Singh, like Baba Banda Singh ended the tyrannical rule of present times.
In his address, S Harcharnjit Singh Dhami, the president of the Dal Khalsa said Baba Banda Singh Bahadur was a true Sikh warrior who fought against injustice and slavery.
“This is a historic moment. We have gathered here today to reaffirm that Sikhs as a Nation has been struggling for its freedom against all odds, refusing to submit to those who aim to eliminate their identity and crush their rightful aspirations”.
By unfurling and saluting Sikh Flag, we are keeping alive the memory and dedication of all those martyrs who laid down their lives to establish the sovereign self rule for Sikhs in the recent times”, he pointed out in a emotional tone and tenor.
Spelling out his party’s agenda, he said we were fully convinced that the future of our people lies in seeking and obtaining the right to self-determination.
Bhai Mohkam Singh while addressing the spirited gathering of Dal Khalsa activists lambasted the present leadership for not adhering to Sikh principles and traditions.
Harpal Singh Cheema, leader of SAD (Panch Pardani) took Akalis to task for creating hurdles in establishing the Khalsa rule. The gathering called upon the Sikh masses to recognize and reject that leadership who for their personal benefits are damaging the collective cause of the Sikh nation.
Kanwar Pal Singh while addressing the gathering expressed concern and displeasure on the unsavory situation arisen after Prime Minister raised the issue of rising activities of Sikhs in Canada with his counterpart Stephen Harper in Washington in April. Since then the Canadian Sikhs are passing through a phase of turmoil, uncertainty and suspicion, he said.
He said that Dr Manmohan Singh’s unnecessary intervention in the internal affairs of Canada and his portraying the Sikhs over there in poor light was condemnable.
The organizers called upon the energetic Sikh individuals and groups especially Council of Khalistan (UK), Khalistan Affairs Centre (USA), World Sikh Organization (Canada) and other world bodies to lobby for the associate membership for Sikh Nation in the UN.