Amritsar, Punjab: Raising the pitch in the wake of an appeal made by Jathedar of the Akal Takht to sign online petition seeking amendment to Article 25 (b) (2) of the Indian constitution, the Dal Khalsa has come out with more radical step to address the long-pending demand what it termed as “constitutional wrong”.
Kanwar Pal Singh (Dal Khalsa)
The organization has asked the Sikhs if they want to remove the “Sikhs are part of Hindus” tag as described in this particular clause of the constitution, they must show their strong resolve and take a firm stand. After 64 years of long wait and fight against this constitutional injustice and discrimination, the only option left with Sikhs is to totally boycott republic day celebrations.
This one step of Sikhs will send the right message to the present Indian dispensation and also to the RSS, who’s controlling the present Modi Sarkar by proxy, said party head H S Dhami.
Pertinently, the dubbing of Sikhs as Hindus in the Constitution has irked the Sikhs since the Constitution was framed in 1950’s and amending the article was the major demand of the Dharam Yudh Morcha launched by Akali Dal in 1982. Even the present Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has burnt the copies of the article 25 in Delhi as a mark of protest.
The issue has once again hit the headlines after Gaini Gurbachan Singh made an appeal to support the campaign launched by US based Sikhs for Justice.
Party spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh in a statement said the identity issue remained the basis of the struggle that Sikhs have waged in the recent past. “They did everything, adopted every measure to make the rulers see the reason, but to no avail”. It’s the issue which is dear to one and all. Hence, we appeal to all Sikhs whether they are student, teachers, businessmen or farmer or politician, they must stay away from republic day celebrations”. Even the MLA’s and ministers attached with the Akali Dal should stay away from the Jan 26 ceremony. “When Constitution denies Sikhs their distinct identity, imposes Hindu laws on Sikhs, what’s the point in observing or celebrating the day, he questioned?.
He said their group would continue with their protest programmes that include march and sit-ins on 26 Jan till “constitutional wrongs are not corrected to the fullest satisfaction of the Sikhs”.