New York : The World Sikh Parliament (WSP), a US-based Sikh organization, has declared its unwavering determination to establish an independent Sikh state in Punjab. This announcement was made at the conclusion of the organization’s two-day 4th General Assembly meeting held in New York on October 8.
WSP Coordinator Himmat Singh emphasized, “The WSP is dedicated to advancing the rights and aspirations of the global Sikh community. We reaffirm the mandate of the Sarbat Khalsa, convened in 2015, recognizing April 29 as the day of Sikh Declaration of Independence, with Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara appointed as the Jathedar of Akal Takht.”
The Sarbat Khalsa, an assembly of Sikh organizations, took place at Chabba village near Amritsar on November 10, 2015. During this gathering, Jagtar Singh Hawara, the convicted assassin of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, was appointed as the parallel Jathedar of Akal Takht. Presently, Hawara is incarcerated in Delhi’s Tihar Jail.
In addition to their declaration, the WSP meeting in New York addressed the killings of prominent Khalistani separatists. Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed in Canada, Avtar Singh Khanda in the UK, and Paramjit Singh Panjwar in Pakistan. Khanda, responsible for pulling down the Indian national flag during a protest outside the UK High Commission in London on March 19, was reportedly the chief handler of Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal, currently imprisoned in Assam.
Amarjit Singh, spokesperson of WSP, urged for thorough investigations into the deaths of Nijjar, Khanda, and Panjwar. He emphasized, “The killings of these individuals should be fully investigated. Nato countries must take notice of these events. An attack on a citizen of a Nato country by India demands Nato’s response.”
