ANANDPUR SAHIB: A massive conference attended by over a hundred and fifty thousand Sikhs on March 26th endorsed the leadership of freedom fighters and the demand for an independent Sikh state of Khalistan.
The conference on the festival of Hola Mohala is seen as a barometer of the Sikh sentiments and the gatherings at this convention have historically been seen as the indications of the sentiments of the Sikhs in Punjab.
The people’s almost total rejection of the Akali Dal politicians was evident at the Holla Mohalla conference.
Known Akali Leaders such as Prof. Darshan Singh Ragi Jathedar Jagdev S. Talwandi Surjit
Singh Barnala and Balwant Singh were conspicuous by their absence. Neither the Barnala group nor the Congress (I) held any political conferences at the occasion. The conference held by Talwandi Badal and Tohra ended in a fiasco as the stage was “captured” by a group of freedom fighters. Second rung Akali leaders like Surjan Singh and Basant Singh Khalsa left the place soon after delivering speeches. The main attraction for the Sikh masses was the stage addressed by Damdami Taksal and All India Sikh Students Federation (Badal group). Present on the stage were Baba Thakur Singh, Bibi Bima! Kaur Khalsa , Bhaai Mohkam Singh, and Dayinder Singh Chhina. Others who could be seen there were Bhai Jasbir Singh, Baba Joginder Singh Justice Ajit Singh Bains, Mr. Tarsem Singh, Gurtej Singh (Ex LAS.) Sucha Singh Chhotepur and Charanjit Singh Walia M.P.
This conference in a resolution declared that Damdami Taksal and A.LS.S.F had been compelled to provide the political forum to Sikhs because the Akali Dal had given up the Sikh cause and its leaders were conniving with the center in a total war on the Sikh masses. Leaders of both factions of the Akali Dals were called “agents of the center.”
It was evident from the proceedings as well as behind the scene activities that the process of Polarization even among the freedom fighters was on. The Panthic Committee headed by Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahal, A.LS.S.F (Buttar Group), second Panthic Committee (comprising mostly of members from Malwa area), AISS.F. (Daljit Group) Babar Khalsa, Khalistan Commando Force headed by Rajathani and Kanwarjit Singh and Mukti Bahani AILS.S.F. (Bandala Group) and Khalistan Commando Force (Sukhdey Singh Jhamke Group) announced that they are all for Khalistan.
Dam Dami Taksal, A.ISS.F. (Majit Sandhu Group) Akali Dal Mann is in favor of freeing Sikhs from the shackles of Delhi.
Gumam Singh Buttar who spoke on behalf of the Traditional Panthic Committee cautioned Sikhs to be aware of these Sikhs who questioned the method of getting Khalistan. They were running away from the struggle and were waiting for a political deal with the Government, he said.
He asserted that the aim of the center was to isolate the traditional panthic committee. He also requested Dam Dami Taksal to be aware of the centers mechanicals aimed at dividing the Sikhs and weakening their movement.
A spokesman of A.LS.S.F. Daljit Group warned the Akali leaders against repeating the Longowal story and that they should stay away for Panths sake. Meanwhile Bhai Dalbir Singh resigned from Traditional Panthic Committee on health grounds. Sukhdev Singh Jhamke has reportedly been nominated in place of Dalbir Singh.
Jhamke through a message read out at the conference disclaimed the association with Tortures and innocent killings. All K.C.F. group including Baldev Singh, Bhai Nishan Singh and Bhai Sukhdev Singh also sent messages which were read at the conference.
Baba Thakur Singh gave saropa to the families of Kehar Singh and Satwant Singh.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 31, 1989