NEW YORK – A group of Sikhs has protested against alleged atrocitiesperpetrated against minority communities in India during the commemorationof Babasaheb Ambedkar’s 127th birth anniversary at the world body’sheadquarters.

India’s Permanent Mission to the UN had organised a special event titled‘Leaving No One Behind’ at the UN yesterday to celebrate Ambedkar’s 127thbirth anniversary. UN Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator AchimSteiner delivered the keynote address at the event.

As India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddinbegan his opening remarks at the event, a group of Sikhs stood up in theconference room and held up posters that read ‘Minorities Under Threat’ and‘Never Forget 84’ alongside pictures of Ayodhya’s Babri Masjid and theGolden Temple in Amritsar.

Akbaruddin faced huge embarrassment by the protest and continued to deliverhis speech. The Sikhs had tied black bands on their turbans and protestedfor the entire duration of Akbaruddin’s remarks, holding up the posters forthe attendees to see.

As soon as Akbaruddin concluded his remarks, the group left the conferenceroom. Outside the room, UN police and security personnel assembled andquestioned the Sikhs, inspecting their posters and inquired about whetherthey had permission and valid passes to enter the UN.

The Sikhs, belonging to the Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar USA and YouthAkali Dal Amritsar USA, told the security personnel that they wereprotesting silently and peacefully.

One of the protesters, Sabjeet Singh of the Shiromani Akali Dal AmritsarUSA told PTI that Ambedkar’s vision was to ensure equality for allcommunities, minorities and Dalits and he had enshrined this in the IndianConstitution.

“But the BJP government that has come to power in India wants to build aHindu nation. They are committing atrocities against Sikhs, Christians,Muslims, Dalits. We are here to peacefully convey the message on behalf ofall the minority communities in India that Ambedkar’s vision of equalityremains unfulfilled,” he said.