WASHINGTON,D.C: A large and enthusiastic crowd of hundreds of ‘Sikhs gathered here in Washington June 1st to commemorate India’s brutal 1984 attack on the Darbar Sahib in ‘Amritsar, the center and seal of the Sikh religion, and 38 other Sikh ‘temples throughout Punjab, Khalistan. The Darbar Sahib attack is the equivalent of attacking the Vatican or Mecca. ‘The demonstration was organized by the Council of Khalistan, On October 7, 1987, the Sikh Nation declared its independence and the Council of Khalistan was named to lead the Struggle for freedom. The Council of Khalistan advocates liberating Khalistan through a peaceful, democratic, non-violent struggle. Demonstrators came from as far away as Florida, New Jersey, North Carolina.

Michigan, Delaware, and New York, as well as D.C., Maryland, and VirBinia. They raised slogans such as “Khalistan Zindabad!” and “India quit Khalistan!” More than 20,000 Sikhs were murdered in that single campaign alone. Over 150,000 Sikhs have been killed by the regime since 1984, In the at- tack, the Indian regime destroyed the Sikh library, which contained count- less original manuscripts. Copies of the Sikh scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, were also burned. Newspapers reported that many worshippers were shot at point-blank range. One hundred Sikh boys between the ages of 8 and 12 were lined up on the Darbar Sahib grounds and asked if they sup- ported a free Khalistan, When they answered yes, they were killed by the military. Representatives Philip M. Crane (R-IL.) and Dan Burton (R-IN) issued statements on Thursday commemorating the massacre.

“The brutal massacre at the Darbar Sahib showed the truth about Indian ‘democracy,’” said Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, “The Darbar Sahib attack made it clear that there is no place for Sikhs in India’s so-called ‘democracy,’” he said, “We are holding this ‘demonstration to commemorate those innocent and brave Sikhs who gave their lives in 1984.” Dr. Aulakh said. “Because of their sacrifice, the Sikh Nation’s demand for a free and independent Khalistan was energized.”

“Freedom for Khalistan is closer than ever,” Dr. Aulakh said, “The world is beginning to discover the truth about India’s genocide against the Sikh Nation and others. The quick collapse of the Vajpayee government shows that India is unstable,” he said. “Only freedom for Khalistan will preserve the basic human rights of the Sikh.

Nation and bring peace, prosperity, and stability to South Asia.

 

Article extracted from this publication >>  June 5, 1996