ANANDPUR SAHIB: In the presence of Sikh personalities and representatives of Sikh organisations, the Dal Khalsa unfurled the Sikh Empire’s flag reminiscence of Sarkar-e-Khalsa, and paid tributes to martyrs of the faith, who were killed by the bullets of neo-Nirankaris in Amritsar 45 years ago.
Jathedar of the Takhat Keshgarh Sahib Gaini Raghbir Singh performed Ardas for the wellbeing and release of political prisoners, who are incarcerated in Indian jails. He paid homage to all those Sikhs, who in line of their religious and panthic duty sacrificed their lives and embraced martyrdom.
Hoisting and saluting the Sarkar-e-Khalsa flag at Anandpur Sahib is reiteration of our distinct identity and aspiration to rule, said Dal Khalsa president Harpal Singh Cheema.
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, said head of the pro-freedom Sikh group.
Speakers at the conference came down heavily on the Modi dispensation and state government led by Bhagwant Mann for spreading canards against Sikhs struggling for the right of self determination. They said notwithstanding the police crackdown and detaining of Sikh activists under draconian NSA, the religio-political status of the Sikhs is that of a distinct people and nation, that yearn to regain their lost sovereign self-rule.
Panthic parties took strong note of police questioning and detaining families, especially ladies of Sikh activists.
Party’s senior leader 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 a 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.
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Hundreds of Sikh youth activists led by Dal Khalsa spokesman Paramjit Singh Mand marched on the streets. They were carrying placards and banners chiding Govt for invoking NSA with eye on 2024 LS polls. Marchers were holding the pictures of Sikh martyrs, jailed political prisoners and militants-in-exile. One of the banner reads: Sarkar-e-Khalsa is our legacy, we are proud of it.
Prominent among those who participated in the event includes Bhai Daljit Singh, Emaan Singh Mann, son of Sangrur MP Simranjit Singh Mann, SGPC leader Karnail Singh Panjoli, Harchranjit Singh Dhami, Hardeep Singh Mehraj, Narien Singh, Paramjit Singh Gazi.
The resolution adopted at the conference stated that Baisakhi is not just a festival of joy. Baisakhi is the celebration of the creation of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh at the historic Takht Keshgarh Sahib. It is the day to rededicate ourselves to our glorious past and commit to continue with the struggle for our bright and glorious future. , unparalleled in the annals of human history.
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. By unfurling the Sarkar-e-Khalsa flag the objective is to retell the Sikhs and to tell those others who would want to hear the truth that eclipses do not last forever.