:dateline:On call of Panthik Jathedandis Dal Khalsa, Shiromani Akali Dal (Panch Pardhani) and Sikh Youth of Punjab (SYP), thousands of Sikhs held a protest march named �Azadi March� in Jalandhar on Nov 1, 2013 demanding UN probe of 1984 Sikh Genocide.
In particular, Sikh youth and women in large numbers were present at the march. �Protesters were seen carrying banners that expressed fury over the injustice towards the victims of Sikh pogroms. �The banners also expressed no hope of justice from the Indian state as the massacre was entirely state sponsored.
The protesters were also displaying posters on which Rajiv Gandhi and Narsimha Rao were termed as �accused� in the 1984 killings. �Protesters raised slogans in favour of Sikh freedom and demanded the right of self determination.
The March began From Gurdwara Singh Sabha Model Town where Sikhs gathered early in the morning. �Panthik leaders, including Bhai Harcharanjit Singh Dhami, (Dal Khalsa), Bhai Harpal Singh Cheema, acting president of SAD (PP) and Gurtej Singh IAS were also present there.
The speakers jointly pressed for independent probe of 1984 Sikh Genocide. �It was stated that under public pressure, probe of Benazir Bhutto’s�assassination was conducted by the United Nations, similarly the Sikh Genocide case should also get probed by independent international bodies. �Sikh leaders urged UN to intervene into the matter. �They also paid tribute to the members of Sikh community murdered in 1984 carnage and performed ardas in their memory.
�Congress is main accused in the case because it was in power at that time but BJP too is equally accused for not bringing the killers of Sikhs to book when in power�, said Bhai Harpal Singh Cheema.
Significantly, former DGP Shashi Kant also took part in the procession, to express solidarity with aggrieved Sikh community.
Elaborate security arrangements were made by police to prevent any untoward incident. Police Commissioner Ram Singh personally supervised the arrangements. The protest march passed of peacefully.
