Marching through the streets of old city Amritsar, around Darbar Sahib from Bhai Gurdas Hall, in the Genocide Remembrance March, to commemorate the Indian army attack in June 1984, Dal Khalsa cadre -men and women with kids in tow, carried kesri flags and placards and raised pro-Sikh independence slogans, on the eve of 6 June 1984,  labelled as Khalistan Day by the pro-Sikh independence party.  Performing prayers at the Golden Temple, they reiterated their resolve to achieve the goal of Sikh independence through peaceful and democratic means. WSN reports.

AS A SECTION OF THE SIKH COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP -from the Shiromani Akali Dal, which wants to adopt a pro-Sikh stance, with an eye on Punjab Assembly elections, six months from now, to the various new outfits like Shiromani Akali Dal (United) and the Aam Aadmi Party, who are reviving the overtones of federalism as an attempt to solve the vexed Sikh question or what is generally understood as the Punjab problem, the revolutionary groups in Punjab consider them as renegades of the Sikh religio-political movement for justice and right to self-determination.

Two days ago, in a rather petty attempt to gain brownie points amongst the Sikh Sangat and also to political counter the Barghari sacrilege negative narrative against the SGPC and the Badal Dal, SGPC President Jagir Kaur displayed the bullet-ridden hand-written Guru Granth Sahib. This calligraphed version was hit by the bullet of an Indian soldier directed at Darbar Sahib.

Somebody has to ask, “why did it take 37 years for displaying this Guru Granth Sahib? If the walls have been repainted and the bullet holes on walls filled in with mortar and mud, what attempts did the SGPC make to curate this copy of the revered Guru of the Sikhs?

Against the backdrop of Sikh martyrdom and the pseudo-stance of the Badal Dal and the SGPC controlled by it, Dal Khalsa, at the protest march to pay homage to the martyrs of June 1984, appealed to Sikhs around the world to observe 6 June as Khalistan Day, reiterating that “independence and not federal autonomy is the yearning of the Sikh people and a permanent solution to the fettering Punjab problem.”

Speaker after speaker at the function paid rich tributes to the martyrs of June 1984 and vowed to carry forward the dream of being masters of their own destiny. Dal Khalsa made a “solemn commitment that the struggle for the fulfilment of ambitions and aspirations of the community would be taken to its logical conclusion.”

The pain and the anguish caused by the events of June 1984 was palpably visible on the faces of the martyrs and the young ladies were almost in tears appreciating and admiring the martyrdom of those who defended Darbar Sahib during the Indian army’s full-scale attack.

Dal Khalsa president Harpal Singh Cheema said: “Thirty-seven years ago, with the attack on the Golden Temple, the foundation stone for an independent state was laid. 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.”

He told the Sangat that these were not his words but that of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who in his 27 March 1983 speech, months before the attack on Darbar Sahib had said, “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”.

“Those demanding devolution of more powers and federalism are leading us to a mirage and theirs is a clear diversionary tactic. These are attempts to deviate the people from the pro-independence stance and tire them out,” stated Dal Khalsa leader Harcharanjit Singh Dhami.

President of Sikh Youth of Punjab Paramjit Singh Mand was blunt in his attack on those harping on federalism, whether they are old-horses, traditional Akali groups or new political entrants. He said the Indian state is not going to devolve power as sought by the Akali Dal and other regional parties. On the contrary, the state is on a centralisation spree, with its fascist Hindutva character.

“The current Indian state under Narendra Modi was transforming, towards more centralisation and more Hinduization. In that context to ask for devolution, in our views, was simply ridiculous,” he added.

Family members of the martyrs of June 1984 were also present at the public demonstration.  Satwant Kaur, daughter of Bhai Amrik Singh, the brother of General Subeg Singh, who died fighting as one of the leaders of the warriors inside Darbar Sahib complex -Jaswant Singh also expressed their views on the Indian army operation and how it has affected the community and their families.

Speaking to this correspondent, Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh said, “The BJP asked for the Indian army attack, the then ruling Congress party carried it out and unmistakably, a majority of Indians revelled in it.”

“Onwards to Sikh independence, no turning back to regressive federalism.”