LONDON – The British government has rejected India government’s demandseeking a ban on a pro-Khalistan group planning to issue a “LondonDeclaration” for a “referendum” on Punjab’s independence from India atTrafalgar Square on August 12.
US-based group called “Sikhs for Justice” is preparing for the event inTrafalgar Square and it’s understood the group has support of many Sikhgroups in the UK. ‘Sikhs for Justice’ held a press conference in Southall,London, and announced its plans of “referendum” with the pledge that itwill continue to highlight the case of a separate Sikh homeland.
The Sunday Times reported that the event next Sunday in Trafalgar Squarehas caused a diplomatic rift between the British and Indian governments,with India lodging a formal protest with the Foreign and CommonwealthOffice (FCO). Indian government wrote to the British government that aminority of Sikh hardliners are exploiting free-speech laws in Britain tocall for the creation of a separatist state known as “Khalistan”.
The paper reported that the rally is being funded by ‘Sikhs for Justice’and that one of the key figures linked with the event is a Birmingham-basedactivist, Paramjeet Singh Pamma, wanted in India for his allegedinvolvement in bombings in 2010 and for the killing the previous year ofRulda Singh, a political leader who worked for the Hindu nationalist cause.
Pamma, who came to Britain in 2000, denies the “false charges” and said theBritish police investigated him in 2010-11 which resulted in no actionagainst him and an attempt by the Indian authorities to extradite Pammafrom Portugal — where he was arrested on holiday in 2015 — ended in failure.
When asked about the Indian government’s request to ban the rally, aspokesman for the FCO said that in the UK, people have the right to gathertogether and to demonstrate their views, provided that they do so withinthe law.
The spokesman said that actions will be taken if laws of free speech areviolated or disorder or violence is encouraged in Britain. It’s understoodthat the Indian government had requested the British government to denypermission for the event. ‘Sikhs for Justice’ hopes that around 10,000Sikhs will be attending the event in London from all over the UK.
Pamma said the rally is intended to raise awareness for a non-bindingreferendum in 2020, calling for the Sikh-majority state of Punjab to begranted independence. Organisers are hoping a high turnout will putpressure on the United Nations to ask India to hold a plebiscite, said theSunday Times.
“On August 12, we will unveil the case for Sikhs’ right toself-determination as guaranteed in the UN Charter and InternationalCovenant on Civil and Political Rights,’’ said SFJ’s legal adviser,attorney Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.