Pro-freedom Sikh political bodies Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar and Dal Khalsa led by MP Simranjit Singh Mann and spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh, have announced a major protest in Moga on January 26. The protest coincides with India’s Republic Day, marking a strategic stand against what they describe as the Indian government’s repressive measures and misrepresentation of the Sikh freedom struggle. WSN reports.

Amidst escalating tensions between Sikh activists and the Indian state over issues of identity, political freedom, and human rights, in a defiant response to ongoing repression and misrepresentation by the Indian government, two leading Sikh political parties -Dal Khalsa and Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar, have declared a protest march on 26 January 2024 in Moga.

Simranjit Singh Mann, a prominent Akali leader and Member of Parliament from Sangrur, and Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh addressing a press conference outlined the reasons for the protest.

“This is not just about current injustices,” Mann stated, “but a long history of our Sikh national identity being compromised, our political aspirations crushed, and our economic potential undermined since the adoption of the Indian Constitution.”

“This is not just about current injustices but a long history of our Sikh national identity being compromised, our political aspirations crushed, and our economic potential undermined since the adoption of the Indian Constitution.”

Kanwar Pal Singh highlighted the alleged misuse of draconian laws like UAPA and NSA against Sikhs, stating, “The government’s tactic of equating Sikh freedom fighters with gangsters is a blatant attempt to defame our struggle for independence. We strongly reject this narrative and stand united in our cause.”

The leaders condemned the banning of the pro-Kashmir freedom body Hurriyat Conference and the continuous incarceration of Kashmiri political detainees.

“The government’s tactic of equating Sikh freedom fighters with gangsters is a blatant attempt to defame our struggle for independence. We strongly reject this narrative and stand united in our cause.”

Kanwar Pal Singh, Senior Leader, Dal Khalsa

They accused the Narendra Modi government of playing a “double game” with Sikhs, particularly regarding the issue of Bandi Singhs -political prisoners serving jail beyond their terms. They derided the stance of the government asking Sikh political prisoners to seek mercy.

The protest aims to shed light on the impunity of security forces and their unbridled powers, citing the extrajudicial killing of former acting Jathedar Gurdev Singh Kaonke as an example. “Our protest on January 26 is symbolic,” said Kanwar Pal Singh. “It’s the day the Constitution came into effect, a Constitution that has been used and misused to suppress our rights.”

The protest is more than a demonstration of discontent; it’s a reminder of the enduring struggle for Sikh rights and autonomy in a politically charged India.

This demonstration, set against the backdrop of India’s Republic Day celebrations, is expected to attract significant attention. It underscores the ongoing struggle of Sikh groups in India and their determination to counter the narrative that maligns their movement.

The protest is more than a demonstration of discontent; it’s a reminder of the enduring struggle for Sikh rights and autonomy in a politically charged India.

The significance of this protest lies in the message that it sends to the Indian government and the world about the Sikh community’s unwavering resolve to fight for justice, freedom, and fair representation.