The World Sikh Parliament that was formed to pursuant a resolution of the Sarbat Khalsa (national gathering) held in the Sikh homeland Punjab in November 2015, has recently recognized April 29th as “Sikh Declaration of Independence Day”.
The official Proclamation was issued by General Secretaries Manpreet Singh and Hardyal Singh and contextualises the historical significance of the declaration of independence made by the Sikh leadership on April 29th 1986.
The Proclamation also reaffirms the World Sikh Parliament’s commitment to the aspiration of sovereign statehood of the Sikh homeland, and for its delivery in accordance with the Sikh nation’s right to self determination under international law.
At a time when the Indian state, having carried out genocide against the Sikhs since 1984, continues to use force to deny that right, it is important to honour the sacrifices of our martyrs by pledging our ongoing commitment to their cause.
This year World Sikh Parliament has also undertaken a high profile media campaign in several cities in the USA, using billboards and other media to highlight the 1986 declaration of independence by the Sikhs and the need to implement that aspiration as the only credible means of resolving the Indo-Sikh conflict in a peaceable and democratic manner.
Ranjit Singh Srai, Coordinator of the Self Determination Council of the World Sikh Parliament, said “The Sikh nation is entitled to its freedom, just like any other.
India’s open defiance of international law, by its official rejection of the right of self determination as set out in Article 1of the UN’s 1966 Covenants on Human Rights, and the use of armed force to suppress freedom movements in Punjab, Kashmir and elsewhere has brought untold misery to South Asia. In making this important Proclamation, the Sikhs are sending a strong message to the Indian state and to the international community alike. The struggle for freedom will go on until justice and order is restored in the Sikh homeland. It would be better for all concerned if the evil of colonialism, along with all its terrible consequences, was banished from the region. Sikhs will be key to ending the decades of conflict that Hindutva ideology inspired, just as they have, in the course of their history, seen off other colonial regimes.”