Members of 5 Sikh organisations hold march in Amritsar to mark 40th anniversary of 1986 declaration

Marking the 40th anniversary of the 1986 declaration, hundreds of Sikh organisation activists, led by Simranjit Singh Mann, Daljit Singh, Kanwar Pal Singh and Narien Singh, on Wednesday marched from Burj Akali Baba Phoola Singh to the Golden Temple.

The participants belonged to the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), Dal Khalsa, Panch Pardani Jatha, Akal Federation and the Jathedar Hawara Committee. Outside the Akal Takht Secretariat, a policy document was released. They claimed that the struggle for liberation was rooted in the Gurmat ideal of ‘Sarbat da Bhala’.

“The Khalsa Panth intends to accomplish its mission through love, compassion and the Guru’s grace,” read the document. The young leaders clarified that they did not support disorder and expected the same ethical restraint from others.

Performing ardaas at the Akal Takht Sahib, the leaders and activists reiterated, “As soldiers of this liberation struggle, we offer our ardaas before Akal Purakh that we may be blessed with the understanding, capacity, resolve and principled unity required to walk steadfastly on the path of righteousness.”

Noting that the Parliament of Canada observed a moment of silence in honour of the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, they noted that international institutions, including the UN Human Rights Council, have taken cognisance of India’s alleged global campaign of transnational repression.

SGPC member Kulbir Singh, Emaan Singh Mann, professor Mohinder Pal Singh, Waris Punjab De general secretary Mandeep Singh Sidhu and Jathedar Hawara committee spokesperson Baljinder Singh were among those present on the occasion.