While the entire country is basking in glory and indulged in happiness of Independence Day, we have some anti-national elements who are trying their best to malign this auspicious day.

On the eve of India’s Independence Day, several pro-Khalistani elements, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) and Dal Khalsa activists staged a massive demonstration in Ludhiana. They were carrying black flags, raising slogans against the so called India’s atrocities, injustices, political subjugation and denial of rights to Punjab and Sikhs in the last seven decades.

Hundreds of members of both the Sikh hardliner groups marched on the streets of Ludhiana and held a two hour demonstration at Ludhiana’s famous Jagraon bridge. 

These anti-national elements were giving a clarion call to people of Punjab to observe August 15 as Black Day, they carried black flags, banners and placards to convey their message.

The pro-Khalistani elements were chanting the slogans ‘Sikhs want Azaadi from India’ and denounced the Indian state for crushing the rights of Sikhs, Kashmiris, Nagas, other nationalities and groups. The biggest irony is that before the start of March, Ardas was performed by SGPC member Karnail Singh Panjoli at Gurdwara Sahib. 

The demonstrators were holding banners, which read, “Sikhs reject RSS theory of one nation, one culture, one language, one civil code.” Another banner reads : India murdered democracy in Kashmir in reference to abrogation of article 370. 

Pro-Khalistani groups see a pattern in the killings of Khalistanis -Paramjit Singh Panjwar in Pakistan and Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada and suspect the role of India’s secret agency. They were saying that Indian agents engineered these killings, and Modi government must desist from such extra-judicial practice.

Dal Khalsa spokesperson Paramjit Singh Mand said Sikhs, Kashmiris and Nagas were not alone in this crisis of identity in India. All minorities, including the Dalits, were also suffering. While addressing the spirited gathering, he rejected the call of har ghar tiranga by PM Narendra Modi. 

Another party leader Kanwar Pal Singh said the international community has been responding only in situations where there is an armed struggle, but unfortunately is maintaining a deafening silence about state sponsored violence where there is an active peaceful and democratic movement for rights and human rights protection. Punjab is one such key example. 

“International forums have ignored the peaceful and democratic struggle of the Sikhs and Kashmiris and have turned a blind eye to the misery, pain and violation of their human rights,” he said.