Thousands of Diaspora Sikhs poured at Trafalgar Square in support of the landmark referendum 2020 London Declaration for independence of Punjab from India.
The protest was organised by the US and Canada-based group Sikhs for Justice. In a twitter statement, they told that the rally was attended by more than ten thousand Sikhs for the London Declaration of Punjab Independence.
No Indian propaganda can stop the moves for Khalistan, SFJ said
Many traveled from other parts of Europe and elsewhere for the event
The Sikhs gathered at the rally brandished banners reading “Free Punjab, End Indian occupation“, “Punjab Referendum 2020 for Khalistan” and “We will re-establish Punjab as an independent country“.
Speakers at the event included Pakistan-origin Nazir Ahmed, member of the House of Lords, who declared his support for Khalistan “for my Sikh brothers and sisters”, and announced a demonstration outside the Indian high commission on August 15.
Resolutions announced
Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, legal advisor of the Sikhs for Justice, announced the adoption to three resolutions.
In first resolution it is said that a non-governmental referendum will be held in November 2020 in all countries of the world, in Punjab and in all cities of India where Sikhs were subjected to genocide in 1984.
In second resolution it is said that the United Nations and the International Law recognises that if peoples have district identity, territory and religion – then these elements help peoples to claim their separate state, therefore after non-government referendum in November 2020 the claim of independent Khalsa Raj (Sikh state) will be presented to the United Nations.
In third resolution it is said that after presenting the claim of Sikh state to the United Nations the movement of separate Sikh state a mass movement for establishment of such state will be initiated. In this resolution, the organisers called upon the gathering to show their commitment to the cause of Khalistan and then they themselves vowed to carry on their move for Khalistan.
Gurpatwant S. Pannun, said: “This is a peaceful, democratic campaign to give Sikhs the right to determine their own future.”
Jas Singh, 26, a demonstrator from London, told AFP:
“In India, anybody who speaks for a referendum gets picked up and put in jail.”
Indian Govt concerned
The Indian government has expressed concern to London over the activity of expatriate Sikh separatists, who want to create a homeland of Khalistan in India´s northern Punjab state.
The Foreign Office confirmed it discussed the rally with the Indian High Commission, but a spokeswoman told AFP: “Peaceful protest is a vital part of a democratic society.”
There was a small counter-demonstration of about a dozen people singing and holding up signs saying: “We stand for one united India.”