Jalandhar (India) August 14 (KMS): Dal Khalsa, a prominent organisation of Sikhs, has urged the Sikh community to observe 15th August, India’s Independence Day, as Black Day.

The Dal Khala held a Conference on the subject of ‘Azaadi – the only way’ at a local gurdwara in Jalandhar to commemorate the organization’s 36th foundation day. It stressed that the struggle of Sikhs was aimed at finding a separate homeland for them. At the conclusion of the conference, hundreds of party activists carrying flags, banners and placards took to streets to convey their message.

Addressing the gathering, party head Harchranjit Singh Dhami said that 67 years ago Hindus got their independence on 15 August while Muslims got it on 14 August. He said that the Sikh Nation missed the bus as it was not lucky enough to get its own homeland. He said that since then Sikhs had been aspiring for their sovereign self-rule. He rued the torturous and humiliating journey of the last seven decades.

Giving the call to Sikhs to observe 15th August as Black Day, he said that there was no reason for Sikhs to celebrate India’s Independence Day. Rather it should be a day to pledge to reinforce our efforts to break the shackles of slavery, he added. He said that their organization was asking for the right of self-determination for the people of the state.

Taking Mohan Bhagwat, the Chief of Hindu extremist organization Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, to task for stating that the cultural identity of all Indians is Hindutva, he said, Sikhs take it as an affront to their separate distinct identity. Sikhs are not Hindus and we reiterate this loud and clear. He said that ever since the Modi Sarkar was formed, RSS had got a field day to mock and tease minorities.

Dal Khalsa spokesperson, Kanwar Pal Singh in his address welcomed the statement of Member Parliament from Telangana Rastra Samiti party, K Kavitha, and condemned the registration of a case against her under sedition laws. He echoed Kavitha’s statement that Jammu and Kashmir and Telangana were both forcefully annexed to India. He praised Kavitha for showing courage to speak truth and said that the Sikhs too were cheated by the Indian leadership.