On 27 March 1983, Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, in a speech at Gurdwara Manji Sahib, within the precincts of Darbar Sahib declared, “The day the police will attack this place (Darbar Sahib), it will become an example for the world. On that day, Khalistan will definitely be a reality”. Dal Khalsa follows up on the speech and declares 6 June as Khalistan Struggle Day with a close down of the city of Amritsar on that day. Activists of Dal Khalsa, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) and other groups marched through the lanes of Amritsar on 5 June recalling and reaffirming their commitment.

PAYING rich tributes to Sikh martyrs of June 1984 and vowing to carry forward their mission, a Genocide Remembrance March was organised by Dal Khalsa and Shiromani Akali Dal in the streets of the holy city.

Activists and leaders, men, women and children carrying photographs, billboards, placards and flags.

The participants marched from Gurdwara Ranjeet Avenue and passing through the major lanes of the city, culminated the march in the portals of Akal Takht Sahib.

Many young protesters were heard raising pro-freedom slogans.

Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwarpal Singh, recalling the events of June 1984 said, “the right-wing BJP repeatedly sought an Indian army attack on Darbar Sahib, the Congress party planned and executed the attack and in the aftermath, the whole of India revelled on it.”

Addressing the protest march to commemorate 35 years of the army operation, organization head Harpal Singh Cheema said: “The sentiments of sovereignty that were strengthened by the army attack have not been buried with the passage of time and change in the political scenario. We will keep the flag flying.”

“The aspirations of the Diaspora for Khalistan are very strong,” said Akali Dal Amritsar leader Eman Singh Mann, whose party extended support to the march. He said the basic issue is the fulfilment of the political objective for which the struggle was launched.

SFS students led by Kanu Priya from Panjab University, Chandigarh, also participated in the march and expressed solidarity with the Sikhs.

On June 6, the city of Amritsar remained shut at the call of Dal Khalsa.