Thousands of Sikhs attended a rally in London's Trafalgar Square on Sunday 12 August to demand a referendum on independence from India. To counter this demonstration, a peaceful pro-India rally was organised by people in front of the National gallery. Though the number was a few hundreds against the thousands campaigning for Khalistan, there were no efforts left on their part, to make themselves heard. However a green coloured Azad Kashmir flag was seen plying, as Lord Nazir Ahmed said, “I believe in Khalistan for my Sikh brothers and sisters.”
Sikhs For Justice, a Canada-US based human rights advocacy group which organised the event, announced plans to hold a global referendum in 2020 to give the global Sikh community the chance to vote for the creation of an independent sovereign state of Khalistan.
Supporters from all over the world brandished banners reading 'Free Punjab, End Indian occupation', 'Punjab Referendum 2020 for Khalistan' and 'We will re-establish Punjab as an independent country'. They said they have the right to self-determination under the UN Charter and International Convention on Civil and Political Rights.
Gurpatwant S. Pannun, legal advisor to Sikhs for Justice, said, "This is a peaceful, democratic campaign to give Sikhs the right to determine their own future. Since announcing our plans, we have been subjected to violent and illegal measures by the Indian state, including trumped-up charges of sedition and illegal detention, designed to silence us. We will not be silenced”.
Leading human rights lawyer Richard Rogers, Director of Global Diligence UK, told the rally that the Sikh people have a strong argument for the right to self-determination under international law. He said they had collated “a great deal of credible evidence” that Sikhs had been persecuted by the Indian government and the only meaningful way to pursue independence was through a referendum.
Former Labour MP and Respect Party MP George Galloway also addressed the rally and Green Party leader Caroline Lucas sent a message of support.
Sikhs For Justice told Asian Voice that their campaign is entirely peaceful and the London 2020 Declaration would give the Sikh people the right to vote on the independence issue. They said that the Sikhs meet the five-part test for self-determination enshrined in the UN Charter: they have an identifiable territory; a history of self-governance in Punjab; a distinct religious culture; and both the desire and capacity for self-governance.
Groups in support of India
The Overseas Friends of BJP (UK) led the counter demonstration to the event held in Trafalgar square in London. Many other pro-India organisations participated in the demonstration including Friends of India Society International UK. Although less in number, the self-motivated group of India sympathisers outperformed the separatist group by singing patriotic songs, dancing with the accompaniment of Dhol and performing group dances as well as shouting slogans such as ‘Vande Matram’, 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'. They stood holding placards saying 'Sikhs for United India', 'Wahe Guru Save Us from this 2020 Madness', 'Chak De India' etc.
Dr Anand Arya from the OFBJP in a statement said, “The London Declaration participants seems to have been hired from other towns of UK and overseas...They had no answer when asked ‘what is the rationale of organising an event in London' of a ‘alleged problem in India’ when none of the India’s Sikh supported their demand, as was clear from the statement of Punjab’s Chief Minister Amrinder Singh, Shiromani Akali Dal, Congress leader and former law minister Ashwani Kumar as well as chairman of British Sikh Association, Dr Rami Ranger.
“It became amply clear as to who has supported organising and financing this event when pro-Pakistan member of House of Lords Nazir Ahmed spoke in support. Government of India has already mentioned it being sponsored by Pakistan’s ISI.
“It is worth mentioning that all the participants in support of India were self-sponsored who spent their own money in travelling to the place with a good number of women participants.”
Jayesh A Patel from FISI UK said, “I tied big dhol to my waist and kept it banging while dancing and making others dance with great slogans. Our loud presence certainly made Khalistani Sikhs uncomfortable. Few Sikhs were with us to show solidarity with India and discontent, displeasure with Khalistani Sikhs!
“It was rumoured that ISI and Pakistan sponsored, funded this Khalistani uprising for Sikh referendum 2020 for Khalistan. It was very obvious when one could see few Kashmiri flags were flying in Sikh gathering for independent Khalistan!”
Dr Rami Ranger, Chairman of British Sikh Association told Asian Voice, "A rally by a handful of unelected pro Khalistani Sikhs for the ‘Referendum 2020’ in Trafalgar Square on 12th August 2018 came and went without any impact, as expected. In contrast, the pro India unity rally was bigger, more vibrant and sent the clear message that India’s unity is non-negotiable.
"These misguided Sikhs should not try to re-write history and should follow the actual teachings of the Sikh Gurus.
"The Gurus were great visionaries and made immense sacrifices for unity, harmony and peaceful coexistence in India.
"These Khalistani separatists should know that the 9th Guru was martyred for religious freedom for every Indian and not just for the Sikhs.
"The 10th Guru was born in Patna, Bihar and left for his heavenly abode in Maharashtra. This is testament to the fact that the Sikh Gurus belonged to India and not just to Punjab.
"The Gurus gave us a universal religion to unite mankind, not to divide us as the separatists are trying to achieve.
"Due to the exemplary lives led by the Sikh Gurus, the Sikhs are recognised and respected all over the world as a positive force.
"Sadly, these now self-appointed so called leaders are not only damaging the great name of the Sikh Gurus but also that of the Sikh community.
"As long as we follow the ideals of the Sikh Gurus, we will be respected throughout the world and if we follow these misguided Sikhs, then we will be shunned by all including our fellow Sikhs."
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on last Thursday said that concerns have been conveyed in writing as well as in person to the UK government. "We expected the UK government not to allow a group, whose intention is to spread hatred, and impact our bilateral relations. It has been conveyed that the fringe elements were seeking to spread hatred and communal disharmony, propagate secessionism that impinges on India's territorial integrity," he said.
It is alleged that Paramjeet Singh Pamma, a suspect wanted in India for his alleged involvement in 2010 bombings in Punjab, is organising the rally under the umbrella of a group named Sikhs for Justice.
However it is believed that the UK government allowed the rally as the country strongly believes in the democratic right to demonstrate within law.
Vijay Chauthaiwale in a tweet wrote, “The @10DowningStreet and her government is making a grave mistake by allowing UK soil a fertile ground for anti-India forces like Khalistan supporters. In past, this policy has resulted into gruesome kidnapping of serving Indian diplomat Ravindra Mhatre in Birmingham in 1984.”
