Amidst massive propaganda by the state machinery -from Punjab to the Union of India, telephone calls by Punjab police to participants to desist from going to the event, the notorious false narrative of the state-sponsored social media trolls and media, and the continuing harassment of Sikhs across the state of Punjab -with a virtual seize of historic towns of Anandpur Sahib and Damdama Sahib, political body Dal Khalsa on Vaisakhi, Dal Khalsa with a host of supporting organisations hoisted the Sarkar-e-Khalsa flag at Anandpur Sahib , reiterating its resolve to regain Sikh sovereignty by peaceful and demoncratic means. A WSN report.

Anandpur Sahib’s historic ramparts turned Kesari and Blue, the colours of the Sarkar-e-Khalsa flag and the colours which Sikhs splash aplenty to declare their independent, distinct identity. This year, the Dal Khalsa event added more colour and life into the ongoing Vaisakhi celebrations.

Setting the tone for the meet, Jathedar Takht Keshgarh Sahib -Gaini Raghbir Singh performed Ardas for the wellbeing and release of political prisoners and paid homage to Sikh martyrs.

While the SGPC, under pressure from Jathedar Akal Takht, has issued a legal notice to the Punjab police, alleging defamation of the Sarkar-e-Khalsa flag, while citing evidence against Amritpal Singh, the Dal Khalsa event at Anandpur Sahib was a historic rebuke of the police administration’s claims, giving more currency to the aspiration of Sikh self-rule.

Unfurling the Sarkar-e-Khalsa flag, the high spirits of the Dal Khalsa cadres was palpable. Other than them, prominent Sikh religious and political personalities were present, with the stage reverberating with sloganeering of Sikh self-rule and the ubiquotous Bole-Se-Nihal war cry. The political conference saw speakers eloquently talking about the Sikh resistance in the face of state repression -both historically and in the present times.

Dal Khalsa President Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, delineating in categoric terms the rationale for their approach declared, “While we unfurl and salute the flag symbolising Sikh Sovereignty, we live the moment to recall that our rule will ensure that no one will be without rights and justice.”

The Dal Khalsa statement released on the occasions repeated their resolve announced by virtually all speakers on the state, “Not very long ago, in 1849, the Khalsa Raj, the Sikh self-rule under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, after spanning a period of nearly half a century, was eclipsed through the unlawful annexation by the British.  By unfurling the Sarkar-e-Khalsa flag the objective is to retell the Sikhs and to tell those others who would have the heart to hear the truth that eclipses do not last forever.”

Marching from the foreground of the Takht Kesgarh Sahib, hundreds of Sikh youth reached the Takh Sahib to offer prayers for the Chardikala -Ever Ascendance of the Khalsa Panth. Holding photos of martyrs, political prisoners and Sikh activists still in exile, the placards rebuked the use of NSA with an eye on the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Countering the misinformation and disinformation campaign againt the Sikhs in Punjab, India and the international community by the Indian state, the party secretary for political affairs -Kanwar Pal Singh said, “the pangs of Sikh rule are not an expediency born out of the injustices of a state, or a counter to forces who want the Hindu Raj in present day majoritarian India and certainly not a theocratic expression by the Sikhs for domination of over another set up people of different faiths and political beliefs. It is our birthright and our legacy.”

“the pangs of Sikh rule are not an expediency born out of the injustices of a state, or a counter to forces who want the Hindu Raj in present day majoritarian India and certainly not a theocratic expression by the Sikhs for domination of over another set up people of different faiths and political beliefs. It is our birthright and our legacy.”

Sikh activist and leader of the Panth Sewak Jatha Bhai Daljit Singh emphasized that the Sarbat da Bhala doctrine is the key to defining Sikh distinctiveness.

Sikh Siyasat editor Parmjeet Singh Gazi, who himself and whose publications are seeing regular harassment, speaking at the conference said, “What we are witnessing in the last few days and weeks is a psychological attack by all state forces. Sikhs will have to be alert, aware and ready for more and sinister repression at the hands of the present Punjab government.”

Emaan Singh Mann challenged the Bhagwant Mann government saying, “The more the crackdowns and harassment, the more there will be positivity amongst the Sikhs. This is how and what we are. History bears testimony.”

Senior Dal Khalsa leader Harcharanjit Singh Dhami took strong exception to the police questioning and detaining families, especially lady family members of Sikh activists.

SGPC member Karnail Singh Panjoli told the audience that the Bhagwant Mann government is chasing the Sikhs like despots.  It is unnecessarily creating chaos in the state of Punjab.

Dal Khalsa spokersperson -Paramjit Singh Mand, summing up the event stated, “Call it by any name -Sikh self-rule, Sarkar-e-Khalsa, Khalsa Raaj, Azad Punjab or even the current coinage of Khalistan -all these are manifestations of our yearning for being masters of our own destiny.”

“Our community is learning to win the minds and hearts of the international community for their support to our cause through internationally-recognised principles, like that of self-determination”, he added.