CHANDIGARH, Punjab—The pro-freedom Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa has announced to organize Genocide Remembrance Parade in the holy city Amritsar on June 5 to mark the 35th anniversary of the 1984 holocaust.
Like every year, the local residents of the holy city have been also appealed to keep their business ventures shut on June 6 to protest against the attack, demolition of supreme Sikh throne Sri Akal Takht Sahib and denial of the successive Indian governments to return rare Sikh manuscripts and artifacts that army took along after putting the Sikh reference library on fire.
At a meeting of party executive held under president Harpal Singh Cheema on May 22, the members resolved to take out a march under the nomenclature of ‘Genocide Remembrance Parade’ on the streets of Amritsar to protest against India’s attack on Sri Darbar Sahib and 37 other Gurdwaras, that resulted in killings of hundreds of innocent pilgrims beside paying homage to Sikh martyrs who displayed the spirit of true valor and warriors in defending the sanctity of Sri Darbar Sahib.
Briefing the media after the meeting on May 22, the party leaders said the march would start from Gurdwara Sahib of Ranjit Avenue and will conclude at Sri Akal Takht Sahib to perform prayer in memory of those who perished during the army assault. They said the pain of the attack was fresh and wounds simmering.
Party leader Paramjeet Singh Tanda alleged that promoting anarchy and violence in Punjab was insurance policy of the Indian state to keep the people polarized on communal lines and that’s why the Punjab problem is still a problem even after 35 years. He slammed the then government for finding military solution to political problem. “The aim of the march and shut down call is to send the message that the Sikhs have not forgotten and forgiven the perpetrators of the attack,” he added.
