Indian Sikhs to fight for self-determination

LONDON An international Sikh organisation, struggling for free Khalistan, on the occasion of Indias Republic Day slammed New Delhi for being selfish, self-centred and hypocritical, unwilling to peacefully resolve genuine problems of ethnic and religious minorities. Dal Khalsa has sought honouring of all commitments oral and written by the Indian leadership to Sikh nation before and on the eve of Indias independence in 1947. Dal Khalsa stated this in a letter written to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on. A 10 member delegation led by party president H S Dhami the other day met Indian Deputy High Commissioner in London Kahan Singh Pannu and handed over a copy of the letter for forwarding the same to Manmohan. Accompanied by Kanwar Pal Singh, Dr Manjinder Singh and other executive committee members, Dhami reiterated his groups resolve to address Sikh issues through dialogue. Expressing their opinion diametrically opposite to what is considered countrys mainstream, they said for those not wedded to the concept of Indian-hood, the Republic Day celebrations were like someone stabbing in the back. We write to reiterate that we are not part of (Indian) mainstream: historically, religiously and politically Sikhs are a sui generis (sovereign) people. Notwithstanding the present status of the Sikhs in India today, the very fact that India is unwilling to talk to look at the 'Sikh question as a 'nationality question enforces our belief and commitment to the right for self-determination of Sikhs, reads the memo. Going further, it says 'peaceful India talks only to those who use violence as means to achieve their objectives. Representatives of organisations or regional groups who want India to engage in talks to evolve a wholesome and pluralistic resolution of the discord between India and other nationalities including Kashmirs, Sikhs have always faced a negative response. Urging Manmohan to show political will, the communiqu of the radical Sikh group stated, Its time for you and the government to invite various ethnic nations and religious minorities within the sub-continent to talks to undo the injustice done through the Constitution, various laws and regulations and the use of police, paramilitary and army. Taking a jibe at the governments lip service to engage groups seeking right to self determination, the memo reads, India fears, but doesnt bother for international refrain. Almost always, India speaks a 'politically correct language. It invites insurgents to eschew violence; however, those sections and parties that do so always get a deaf ear.

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