April 29 1986 will go down in the annals of Sikh history as the day on which Khalistan was formally declared. On this day the five-member Panthic Committee constituted on January 26 of the same year made the declaration of Khalistan from the seat of temporal power of the Sikhs the Sri Akal Takht. The very same Akal Takht that the Indian Government had destroyed with tanks and artillery a mere two years ago the infamous Operation Bluestar far from crushing the spirit of the Sikhs had strengthened their resolve to establish an independent nation based on the principles of equality liberty compassion and justice. In 1986 the Sikhs had already been struggling for several years to be rid of the oppressive yoke of Indian slavery notably under the valiant leadership of Shahid Sant Jarnail Singhji Bhindranwale. His lead is still being followed. This historic declaration gave shape in writing to the aims and objectives of the Khalsa Panth for the first time.

Concrete goals were laid out towards establishing a dynamic and modern nation where justice would prevail. We are proud to report that despite unbelievable sacrifices the Sikh youth have not deviated from achieving this objective.

The declaration of Khalistan had made several appeals. The first one was to the Sikhs themselves to untidily put their shoulder to this great task of liberating their homeland and to build a prosperous and glorious Sikh nation. It said that this called for great sacrifice and a bitter struggle but added that if we did our bit the Almighty would take care of the rest. It warned those in Sikh garb but bought by the Indian Govt for money or other favors to desist from their activities which were anti-Sikh and detrimental to the cause of Khalistan.

An appeal was made to all the nations of the world to accord the new Sikh nation recognition and to help it. It mentioned several countries like the USA UK Equador Canada several European nations Pakistan and other neighboring countries in particular in this regard. Since 1986 many many people in the West notably lawmakers in the US and England have been made aware of the true nature of India’s brutal genocidal campaigns not only against the Sikhs but all its non-Hindu minorities.

An appeal was also made yet again to the government of India to put aside its Brahminical prejudices and to recognize Khalistan. The declaration said that the Sikhs had no enemies and they did not believe in bloodshed and they expected this from others. India was urged to peacefully through diplomatic channels settle all issues related to the establishment of the new nation and to withdraw its forces of occupation. In typical fashion India spurned this offer and has since said many times that the Sikhs were not willing to negotiate.

Since 1986 many other nations have raised the banner of revolt against the tyranny of Delhi. The long-suffering Kashmiri Muslims and the Assamese have put up stiff resistance to its authoritarianism. It is only a matter of time before many other nations constituting the forced and artificial union of India realize they have been exploited mercilessly for 44 years to demand their freedom. Just this month the Hindu state of Orissa has made such a demand. The Christian state of Nagaland has always been in a state of revolt as has Mizoram. Delhi hoped to be parasite forever. It did not realize that if the host died so would it. But what if the host decides to purge itself of the hanger on the host survives and eventually becomes healthy but the parasite dies.

The declaration of Khalistan elaborates how the ills of corruption nepotism profiteering and the exploitation of the poor and the weak would be ended once society was rid of Brahminical ways once and for all. It envisages a truly modern state as the Sikh religion would be made a watchdog over the affairs of state. This would provide a permanent check against the erosion of moral values which lead to the weakening of the institutions of the state.

We have come a long way in the five years since that historic day in 1986. We have fought bravely and achieved many victories but we cannot afford to let up the struggle or let our guard down we need to persevere as the day is not far when our most cherished dream will become a reality.

Article extracted from this publication >> April 26, 1991