WASHINGTON: Recent press reports stating that the Council of Khalistan was to be expelled from the UNPO have proven to be false claims by the Indian Government.
Although representatives of the UNPO recently visited Chandigarh the visit was an unofficial one and not related to the recognition of Khalistan by the UNPO, says a letter from UNPO General Secretary, Michael Van Walt Van Praag.
In his letter, he notes that several Congress MLAs complained about the Khalistan membership (which was to be expected), He also noted that he met with Akali Dal (M) leader Simranjit Singh Mann whose feelings regarding the Indian government and the policy regarding Khalistan are well known,
Council of Khalistan president, Dr.Gurmit Singh Aulakh reports that the fact is “the UNPO has” not expelled the Council of Khalistan as a delegate representing the Sikh Nation, the Council was granted member ship by the General Assembly of the UNPO and only a majority role of the Assembly can re move a UNPO member.” A sovereign Khalistan may not be the goal of pro India Sikhs, but membership in the UNPO goes a long way towards the dream of independence that inspires Sikh Nationalism for many others.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 3, 1993
