With a few days to go before India’s Republic Day on 26 January, pro-Sikh freedom body Dal Khalsa has shared a poignant letter written to French President Emmanuel Macron scheduled to be the chief guest at India’s 75th Republic Day celebrations. The missive conveys the Sikh community’s disappointment and as his visit seems to be a fait accompli, it urges President Macron to address crucial issues during his visit. The organization’s appeal signifies a critical plea for international intervention in the Sikh community’s ongoing struggle for justice and recognition. WSN reports.

The circumstances and developments in the last year have seen Sikh bodies going international in their approach to addressing burning issues concerning Sikh identity and Sikh rights in a concerted attempt to resolve the political conflict between Sikhs and India.

Dal Khalsa’s letter to President Macron, sent through the French Ambassador in India, penned by the party’s Secretary for Political Affairs, Kanwar Pal Singh, highlights the global scrutiny of the Indian government’s role in transnational repression.

The organization voices the Sikh community’s concerns, stating, “Your acceptance to be the chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations has acutely disappointed the Sikhs worldwide.”

 “Sikhs are facing a live threat to their existence and identity, not only in Punjab and India but also in other countries. Now that you have decided and as perhaps there is no looking back, we urge you to have a dialogue with your Indian counterpart Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during your visit to New Delhi on transnational targeted killings of Sikhs, implementing equal prisoner norms and laws in the country, restoring respect for human rights and especially emphasizing the Sikh demand for amending India’s constitution to give restless peoples of various nationalities the right to self-determination under UN covenants.”

Dal Khalsa has emphasized the severe threat to Sikh existence and identity, not only in Punjab and India but globally, citing instances of extrajudicial killings by Indian secret service agents. The letter reiterates the Sikh community’s struggle in Punjab for Sikh sovereignty.

Sikhs are facing a live threat to their existence and identity, not only in Punjab and India but also in other countries.

Kanwar Pal Singh, Secretary for Political Affairs, Dal Khalsa

Furthermore, Kanwar Pal Singh has highlighted that while India marks 26 January with pomp and glory, India’s minorities and nationalities, including Sikhs, observe it as ‘Black Republic Day’ due to India’s discriminatory and fascist policies.

Reiterating its resolve to place things in proper perspective, Dal Khalsa has announced a peaceful protest march in Moga on January 26, to recall and reiterate the constitutional injustices and discrimination faced by minorities, including Sikhs.

Dal Khalsa’s correspondence with President Macron also touches upon recent international incidents, including the assassination of Canadian Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and the indictment of an Indian national in the US for plotting against US citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannu. These events, according to Dal Khalsa, have placed India under suspicion, with the group expressing fears and apprehensions regarding India’s response to these incidents.

Not stopping at just the participation of the visiting dignitary at the 26 January events, Dal Khalsa has questioned the French government’s continuous support for India’s bid to join the UN Security Council.

Speaking to World Sikhs News, without mincing words, Kanwar Pal Singh said, “If without a seat at the highest level at the United Nations, India is untameable and unaccountable, should India gain a foothold at the Security Council, we shudder to think of the consequences  that will befall minorities and nationalities, endangering peace in South Asia expressing concerns over potential threats to minority rights and peace in South Asia.”

“The carte blanche endorsement of India’s attempt to be a member of the UN Security Council by the government of France underscores the need for better comprehension of the possible destruction India can cause to peoples’ rights.”

“The carte blanche endorsement of India’s attempt to be a member of the UN Security Council by the government of France underscores the need for better comprehension of the possible destruction India can cause to peoples’ rights.”

As French Sikh residents, including citizens, face serious mishandling of their identity issues with various government departments in France, Kanwar Pal Singh also sought the visiting dignitary’s intervention to respect Sikh identity and make local muncipal and state regulations accordingly.

As French Sikh residents, including citizens, face serious mishandling of their identity issues with various government departments in France, it is time for France to respect Sikh identity and frame rules and regulations accordingly.

With this timely letter, Dal Khalsa has once again focused international attention on the plight of the Sikh community and it would be interesting to see if France upholds its commitment to equality, liberty, and fraternity in addressing the issues raised.