Amritsar- Jan 28- Dal Khalsa has sought honouring of all commitments
–oral and written by the Indian leadership to Sikh Nation before and
on the eve of India’s independence in 1947.
The Dal Khalsa stated this in a letter written to Prime Minister Dr
Manmohan Singh on the occasion of India’s republic day. A 10 member
delegation led by Party president H S Dhami today met Deputy
Commissioner Mr Kahan Singh Pannu and handed over a copy of the letter
for forwarding the same to the Prime Minister.
Accompanied by Kanwar Pal Singh, Dr Manjinder Singh and other
executive committee members, Mr Dhami demonstrated his group’s resolve
to address Sikh issues through dialogue.
Expressing their opinion diametrically opposite to what is considered
country’s mainstream, they said those who are not wedded to the
concept of Indian-hood, the Republic Day celebrations are like someone
stabbing in the back – they come as a reminder that the Indian state
was still very selfish, self-centered and hypocritical unwilling to
peacefully resolve their genuine problems.
We write to reiterate that “we are not part of (Indian) mainstream”:
historically, religiously and politically Sikhs are a sui generis
(sovereign) people. Notwithstanding the present status of the Sikhs
in India today, the very fact that India is unwilling to talk to look
at the ‘Sikh question’ as a ‘Nationality question’ enforces our belief
and commitment to the right for self-determination of Sikhs, reads the
memo.
Going further, it says “peaceful India” talks only to those who use
violence as means to achieve their objectives. Representatives of
organizations or regional groups who want India to engage in talks to
evolve a wholesome and pluralistic resolution of the discord between
India and other nationalities including Kashmir’s, Sikhs have always
faced a negative response.
Urging the Prime Minister to show political will, the communiqué of
the radical Sikh group stated, “it’s time for you and the government
to invite various ethnic nations and religious minorities within the
sub-continent to talks to undo the injustice done through the
Constitution, various laws and regulations and the use of police,
paramilitary and army”.
Taking a jibe at the government’s lip service to engage groups seeking
right to self determination, the memo reads: India fears, but doesn’t
bother for international refrain. Almost always, India speaks a
'politically correct' language. It invites insurgents to eschew
violence; however, those sections and parties that do so always get a
deaf ear.
Reasserting that the Sikhs are a separate Nation, they demanded a
separate civil code for the Sikh community. The party leadership urged
the Sikh Personal Law should be made on the pattern of the Muslim
Personal Law.
They reiterated their commitment to fulfilling the rightful and
legitimate aspirations of the Sikh people in a peaceful and democratic
way.