India's 63rd Independence Day: Joint Statementby leading Diaspora Groups
Representing a common front against Indian imperialism we join hands,
on this 63rd anniversary of Indian independence, to re-affirm our
unshakeable commitment to secure freedom for our respective nations
and to call on the international community to dismantle the illegal
occupation of our homelands by a terroriststate. Its militaristic
modus operandi has now also become a danger to wider regional peace
and security; the world community must counter the growing threat it
poses and bring justice to tens of millions of oppressed people in the
mostdangerous part of the world.
Since 1947 India has forcibly denied our sovereign rights under
international law; the rights to determine our own political status,
to control our natural resources and to protect our populations and
territories from human rights abuses amounting to genocide. It has
blatantly told the United Nations that it does not even recognisethe
right of self-determination for those nations under its occupation,
despitethe clear provisions of international law and state practice ?
which have overseen the independence of many nations in recent years.
It has brazenly ignored the UN Security Council?s own express
resolution requiring a plebiscite in the disputed territory of Jammu &
Kashmir. None of the catastrophic conflicts in Kashmir, Khalistan,
Nagalim, Assam, Manipur and Bodoland are anywhere near resolution;
responsible world opinion must ask why so many near-identical and
intractable conflicts have arisen from a common source and how to now
peaceablyresolve them.
In its efforts to frustrate our national rights India has deployed the
full might of its armed forces against civilian populations, casually
killing hundreds of thousands in theprocess. The world?s pre-eminent
human rights organisations have documented the systematic abuses in
which pogroms, extra-judicial killings, disappearances,rape, torture,
illegal detention and extortion have become routine, all supported by
a clear policy of immunity for the perpetrators and ?emergency laws?
which breach basic international humanitarian standards. Again, those
who propagate the rule of law must ask why such massive state terror
has been allowed to go unpunished for so long and how best to now hold
those responsible toaccount.
In August 2009, the United States Commission for International
Religious Freedoms put India on its?watchlist? of states that fail to
protect minority religious groups. Recent years have seen mass
violence directed towards Christians, Muslims and Sikhs andtheir
places of worship, with the connivance of security forces, disinterest
ofthe courts and blatant instigation from Indian politicians who
continue to holdhigh office.
It is both appropriate and necessary at this time to bring India in to
line with international law andstandards. Only the break up of this
monolithic state, which has never servedthe interests of the peoples
under its control, will offer the region genuine freedom, real
security and equitable economic progress. The peaceful exercise of
self-determination by our nations in our homelands should be overseen
by the United Nations, which will need to promote that outcome by
imposing stringent sanctions on an intransigent and increasingly
menacing power.
The establishment of a special international criminal court to punish
Indian genocide perpetrators and the ejection of India from the UN's
human rights bodies are urgently necessary measures if justice is to
be delivered to the millions who have suffered the human misery of
these completely avoidable conflicts.
Pending India?s compliance with fundamental norms of civilised
behaviour we urge the international community to reject out of hand
any notion of agreeing to India's demand for a permanent seat at the
UN Security Council. It would surely be perverse to reward an
aggressor and a serial violator of international law with a veto power
that it would use to frustrate the one institution that can and should
hold it to account. India's refusal to sign the Nuclear
Non-proliferation Treaty, together with its massive spend on nuclear
armaments whilst millions of its citizens live in poverty,
demonstrates its belligerence which in itself should rule it out of
contention for a permanent seat.
Unless India immediately stops its ongoing brutalities and agrees to
international intervention to punish those guilty of rights abuses, we
would urge Governments, athletes and spectators alike to boycott the
2010 Commonwealth Games scheduled to take place in October in the
Indian capital. India needs to be shamed not feted in the light of the
atrocities it continues to commit on a daily basis.
At a time when South Asia is the likely flash point of any future major
war, it behoves policy makers to remedy the errors of British
de-colonisation in 1947 which are directly contributing to the current
instability. India is not and has never been a nation; as an artificial
construct it has simply become a failed state which merits
no independence celebrations. Britain has a special responsibility
for correcting those historic mistakes and, as our members protest at
the injustices of the last 63 years in London today, we call on our
friends in Britain to take a lead in that process.
London, 15 August 2010
All Parties International Kashmir Co-ordination Committee
Council of Khalistan, Dal Khalsa, British Sikh Students
Federation,British Sikh Federation,
Shiromani Akali Dal(Amritsar), Khalistan Government in Exile, United
Khalsa Dal
Naga Support Group (UK), The Naga International Support Centre
Sikhs,Kashmiris and Nagas re-affirm Freedom Struggles India's 63rd Independence Day: Joint Statementby leading Diaspora Groups Representing a common front against Indian imperialism we join hands, on this 63rd anniversary of Indian independence, to re-affirm our unshakeable commitment to secure freedom for our respective nations and to call on the international community to dismantle the illegal occupation of our homelands by a terroriststate. Its militaristic modus operandi has now also become a danger to wider regional peace and security; the world community must counter the growing threat it poses and bring justice to tens of millions of oppressed people in the mostdangerous part of the world. Since 1947 India has forcibly denied our sovereign rights under international law; the rights to determine our own political status, to control our natural resources and to protect our populations and territories from human rights abuses amounting to genocide. It has blatantly told the United Nations that it does not even recognisethe right of self-determination for those nations under its occupation, despitethe clear provisions of international law and state practice ? which have overseen the independence of many nations in recent years. It has brazenly ignored the UN Security Council?s own express resolution requiring a plebiscite in the disputed territory of Jammu & Kashmir. None of the catastrophic conflicts in Kashmir, Khalistan, Nagalim, Assam, Manipur and Bodoland are anywhere near resolution; responsible world opinion must ask why so many near-identical and intractable conflicts have arisen from a common source and how to now peaceablyresolve them. In its efforts to frustrate our national rights India has deployed the full might of its armed forces against civilian populations, casually killing hundreds of thousands in theprocess. The world?s pre-eminent human rights organisations have documented the systematic abuses in which pogroms, extra-judicial killings, disappearances,rape, torture, illegal detention and extortion have become routine, all supported by a clear policy of immunity for the perpetrators and ?emergency laws? which breach basic international humanitarian standards. Again, those who propagate the rule of law must ask why such massive state terror has been allowed to go unpunished for so long and how best to now hold those responsible toaccount. In August 2009, the United States Commission for International Religious Freedoms put India on its?watchlist? of states that fail to protect minority religious groups. Recent years have seen mass violence directed towards Christians, Muslims and Sikhs andtheir places of worship, with the connivance of security forces, disinterest ofthe courts and blatant instigation from Indian politicians who continue to holdhigh office. It is both appropriate and necessary at this time to bring India in to line with international law andstandards. Only the break up of this monolithic state, which has never servedthe interests of the peoples under its control, will offer the region genuine freedom, real security and equitable economic progress. The peaceful exercise of self-determination by our nations in our homelands should be overseen by the United Nations, which will need to promote that outcome by imposing stringent sanctions on an intransigent and increasingly menacing power. The establishment of a special international criminal court to punish Indian genocide perpetrators and the ejection of India from the UN's human rights bodies are urgently necessary measures if justice is to be delivered to the millions who have suffered the human misery of these completely avoidable conflicts. Pending India?s compliance with fundamental norms of civilised behaviour we urge the international community to reject out of hand any notion of agreeing to India's demand for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. It would surely be perverse to reward an aggressor and a serial violator of international law with a veto power that it would use to frustrate the one institution that can and should hold it to account. India's refusal to sign the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, together with its massive spend on nuclear armaments whilst millions of its citizens live in poverty, demonstrates its belligerence which in itself should rule it out of contention for a permanent seat. Unless India immediately stops its ongoing brutalities and agrees to international intervention to punish those guilty of rights abuses, we would urge Governments, athletes and spectators alike to boycott the 2010 Commonwealth Games scheduled to take place in October in the Indian capital. India needs to be shamed not feted in the light of the atrocities it continues to commit on a daily basis. At a time when South Asia is the likely flash point of any future major war, it behoves policy makers to remedy the errors of British de-colonisation in 1947 which are directly contributing to the current instability. India is not and has never been a nation; as an artificial construct it has simply become a failed state which merits no independence celebrations. Britain has a special responsibility for correcting those historic mistakes and, as our members protest at the injustices of the last 63 years in London today, we call on our friends in Britain to take a lead in that process. London, 15 August 2010 All Parties International Kashmir Co-ordination Committee Council of Khalistan, Dal Khalsa, British Sikh Students Federation,British Sikh Federation, Shiromani Akali Dal(Amritsar), Khalistan Government in Exile, United Khalsa Dal Naga Support Group (UK), The Naga International Support Centre
Photo’s from the Protest -
It proved to be the most successful Indian Independence day Protest in the UK ever as over 7 communities attended which over 1000 people throughout the day!
STATEMENT FROM DAL KHALSA PANJABBlack Day observed;
Dal Khalsa stages sit-in protest against slavery and injustice
Pledges sustained Sikh support for Kashmiri brethren in their struggle
AMRITSAR- August 15, 2010
Today marks the 63rd anniversary of the India’s independence. It is a "Black Day" for all the minorities of India. India has a poor record of human rights, from Kashmir to Punjab to Northeast. India has extremely serious human rights problems. Primary among them is the culture of impunity to security forces. By observing August 15 as black day, we are keeping the desire for freedom alive.
It is a matter of great pride that Sikhs have a legacy of sovereignty. They have had self-rule for many years and decades. It is a matter of regret that their sovereignty has been usurped by the Indian state, either by chicanery of Indian imperialists or by default of their own leadership. However, it is significant that our moral, legal and political lien over our sovereignty still stands.
While the Indians are busy in celebrating their independence, we are staging a sit-in protest against slavery and injustice. Since our subjugation in the early fifties of the last century, we have experienced slavery, torture and abrogation of our civil, economic, religious and political rights.
The stories of the sufferings of Sikh were too numerous to tell. The violations of human rights by Indian security agencies have been uncountable. But the energetic Sikhs with their distinctive unique birthright and history stand still without any retreat.
It has been clear to us for decades that the Sikhs cannot achieve any justice or progress within the confines of the present Indian political system that is so viciously opposed to our legitimate goals, desires and aspirations.
Outstanding issues dating back to 80’s remain unresolved to this day despite promises from the Indian government to help find a solution. Instead, Indian state has chosen to silence our voices by force or to humiliate and terrorize us into dropping our legitimate demands. The continuous loot of Punjab’s water wealth resources and state’s deliberate policy to alter the demography of Punjab by encouraging influx of migrants is a major cause of worry and concern.
India’s Constitution does allow freedom of expression to all citizens but ironically the moment we express our independent thoughts we lose our freedom. Several Dal Khalsa and like minded parties’ activists have been charged under sedition on the most fraudulent of grounds despite our resolve and approach to keep our movement within the framework of non-violent and democratic norms.
Today is a day of betrayal, but today is also the start of a new struggle, and new hope for the future. We are confident that we will prove everyone wrong especially those who had declared that the movement for Khalistan is dead. The struggle for independence is our lifeline.
The Dal Khalsa does not only ask the Indian state and the world community to acknowledge our identity as a Nation but also our right to self determination in accordance with international treaties and covenants that all democratic Nations are expected to adhere to and oblige.
The people of Punjab stand with the people of Pakistan as they have bravely responded to widespread and unprecedented flooding that has killed more than 1,600 people and left two million people affected. We also express our sorrow and grief over the loss of human lives due to cloudburst in Leh region of J&K.
We think that we would be failing in our duty if we do not express solidarity with all other ethnic peoples who are in the thick of formation of their nation-states in South-Asia. We condemn the flagrant violations of the fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people in the valley. Dal Khalsa pledges sustained Sikh support for Kashmiri brethren in their struggle for right to self determination in line with deepening partnership between the two pro-struggling ethnic minorities.
It seems the reports of revival of militancy in Punjab attributed to Sikh militant groups are designed to damage the image of the community. Our heart goes in support of all those Sikh Nationalists including Bhai Daljit Singh Khalsa who are suffering detentions because of their dissenting beliefs.
We appeal to Hindu brethren of Punjab to ‘bridge the divide’ and join hands with Sikhs not only to safeguard the interests and resources of the state but also to achieve Punjab’s Sovereignty in the same manner as Sikhs helped Hindus in their fight for the independence of India from British colonial rule.
Harchranjit Singh Dhami
President
Kanwar Pal Singh
Spokesperson
Dr Manjinder Singh
General Secretary
NEWS
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Kashmiri and Sikh People protested in London on 15th August 2010
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The protest at the Indian High Commission in London on the 15th August 2010 attracted hundreds of people. There were Kashmiri's, Sikhs, Sri Lankans and Nepalese and other Indian nationalities present at the protest.
There were also representatives of progressive organisations in Britain all protesting Indian Expansionism and Operation Green Hunt and the murder of Comrade Azad spokesperson of the CPI Maoist and Hem Pandey a progressive journalist by the murderous comprador Indian state.
The protest organised on India's National Day exposed the crimes of the Indian State and the sufferings of it peoples.The newly formed Alliance for People's Rights in South Asia is to be congratulated for organising a successful protest.
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Sikh, Kashmiri and Naga groups castigated Indian Independence Day as a 'black day' LONDON, Aug 16 (APP): Holding a vocal protest outside the Indian High Commission leading Sikh, Kashmiri and Naga groups castigated Indian Independence Day as a 'black day' for their nations, and said one form of colonialism has replaced by another. A joint statement by these groups called for international intervention on their behalf, to facilitate the exercise of self-determination in Indian-occupied territories and the punishment of Indian human rights violators.
These leading Diaspora-based group vowed to pursue their respective national struggles for freedom, in accordance with international law, and to work together on their legitimate aspirations for freedom, peace and regional security.
The statement was issued on behalf of All Parties International Kashmir Co-ordination Committee, Council of Khalistan, Dal Khalsa, British Sikh Students Federation, British Sikh Federation, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), Khalistan Government in Exile, Naga Support Group (UK), and The Naga International Support Centre.
The statement said: "Since 1947 India has forcibly denied our sovereign rights under international law; the rights to determine our own political status, to control our natural resources and to protect our populations and territories from human rights abuses amounting to genocide.
"It has blatantly told the United Nations that it does not even recognise the right of self-determination for those nations under its occupation, despite the clear provisions of international law and state practice - which have overseen the independence of many nations in recent years.
"It has brazenly ignored the UN Security Council's own express resolution requiring a plebiscite in the disputed territory of Jammu & Kashmir. None of the catastrophic conflicts in Kashmir, Khalistan, Nagalim, Assam, Manipur and Bodoland are anywhere near resolution; responsible world opinion must ask why so many near-identical and intractable conflicts have arisen from a common source and how to now peaceably resolve them."
The statement further said that in August 2009, the United States Commission for International Religious Freedoms put India on its 'watchlist' of states that fail to protect minority religious groups.
Recent years have seen mass violence directed towards Christians, Muslims and Sikhs and their places of worship, with the connivance of security forces, disinterest of the courts and blatant instigation from Indian politicians who continue to hold high office.
The statement called for the establishment of a special international criminal court to punish Indian genocide perpetrators and the ejection of India from the UN's human rights bodies are urgently necessary measures if justice is to be delivered to the millions who have suffered the human misery of these completely avoidable conflicts.
"Unless India immediately stops its ongoing brutalities and agrees to international intervention to punish those guilty of rights abuses, we would urge Governments, athletes and spectators alike to boycott the 2010 Commonwealth Games scheduled to take place in October in the Indian capital. India needs to be shamed not feted in the light of the atrocities it continues to commit on a daily basis."
Furthermore, it said at a time when South Asia is the likely flashpoint of any future major war, it behoves policy makers to remedy the errors of British de-colonisation in 1947 which are directly contributing to the current instability.
"Britain has a special responsibility for correcting those historic mistakes and, as our members protest at the injustices of the last 63 years in London today, we call on our friends in Britain to take a lead in that process," the statement said.
http://www.panthic.org/articles/5283
SIKHS, KASHMIRIS AND NAGAS RE-AFFIRM FREEDOM STRUGGLES
PANTHIC.ORG | Published on August 15, 2010
