In an effort to shame the Indian rulers for failing to provide justice to the November 1984 riot victims, the Dal Khalsa and SAD (Panch Pardhani) have sought the right to self-determination as the only solution to ensure that carnages do not recur again.
Taking into account the controversial decision of Sikh clergy on the Sirsa Dera chief case, both the radical organisations resolved not to allow Gaini Gurbachan Singh to address the Sikh Sangat from the seat of Akal Takht on Bandi Chorr Diwas. They opined that the Jathedar, who lost faith of the Sikh masses and hurt their sentiments by pronouncing such politically motivated decisions, had no right to occupy the highest temporal seat.
Leaders of both the hardliner groups spoke at a protest rally organised by the Sikh Youth of Punjab (SYP) to commemorate 31st anniversary of November 1984 carnage.
Members of the SYP led by its president Paramjit Singh Tanda stood in a queue with placards, big banners and flags in their hands for two hours at Bhandari Bridge and then marched towards Akal Takht to perform ardas in memory of those, who were brutally murdered, in a well planned killing of Sikhs in Delhi and elsewhere.
The protesters were carrying placards bearing the message “Remove jathedars as they are sinners” and “No justice to victims who fell to police bullets”. They lit candles to send a message to the ruling class, which they claimed were blinded by power and arrogance.
Referring to the news item in which the UK police had apologised for their misconduct with Sikhs during a recent demonstration, leaders of both the groups said, “In India and Punjab we can never think of such humane approach and attitude of the police. We have witnessed time and again the police brutality on protesters as was seen at Behbal Kalan, Bargari and other places in recent times.”
Dal Khalsa head HS Dhami said thirty one years had gone, but killers of Sikhs had not been punished for their role in the genocide. He said their hope for justice had died. Speaking on the present crisis that engulfed Punjab due to the sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib, he said the root cause of the turmoil was the pardoning drama enacted by Badals and executed by five takht jathedars.
He urged youth and the Sikh sangat to reach Darbar Sahib in large numbers on Bandi Chorr Diwas. He, however, was quick to add that youth should not take law into hands and all their conduct should be peaceful.
Speking about immediate dismissal of all the five takht jathedars, SAD (Panch Pardani) chief and member of the SGPC, Kulbeer Singh Barapind, said, “What may come, we will oppose their continuance on the post.” He said Badals should be declared biggest traitors of the Khalsa Panth for denigration of Sikh religious institutions, ruining the traditions and honour of Akal Takht and protecting guilty police officials, including the then DGP SS Saini, for murder of two Sikhs at Behbal Kalan (Faridkot).