• Vows to continue the struggle for Sikh state with same spirit and optimism sans violence
• Calls to defeat the BJP and the Congress for being anti-Punjab and anti-minority
• Slams CBI for becoming tool in the hands of the ruling elite thus completely loosing its relevance, meaning and credibility
• Asks the people of Punjab to vote on merit taking character, contribution and moral standing of the candidate into consideration.

Spelling out its agenda to uphold the distinct identity of the Sikh people and earn a respectable place for Punjab in the comity of nations, the organization on Wednesday vowed to bring a change in the corrupt Sikh political culture and not to bend either by force or allurement. The resolution to this effect was passed at a meeting of party office bearers held at Hoshiarpur to mark the commencement of 23rd anniversary of “Khalistan Declaration Day”. The leaders of the group at press conference reiterated their demand and dream for a sovereign Sikh state. It is pertinent to mention that 23 years ago on this day a five-member Panthic Committee constituted by Sarbat Khalsa convened by Damdami Taksal passed a resolution (gurmatta) at Akal Takht Sahib favoring the independence of Punjab.

If the RSS-BJP can openly talk of formation of a Hindu Rashtra, why should Sikhs be devoid of their right to a separate state, questioned Mr Dhami, while addressing the media persons.

Flanked by other party leaders including Satnam Singh, Kanwarpal Singh, Dr Manjinder Singh and Baldev Singh, he said they would continue with the struggle with the same spirit and optimism sans violence.

Paying tributes to all those Sikhs who died while fighting for the cause of sovereign Sikh state, they took a dig at turncoats of the movement and said when those who have embraced death for its sake are remembered, no offence appears more unforgivable than a compromise over it.

They said the sentiments of sovereignty that was strengthened by army attack on Darbar Sahib 25 years ago have not been buried with the passage of time and change in political scenario. There may not be any public manifestation of such sentiments but all Sikhs desire to be self-ruler.

Exhorting the Sikh masses to defeat the Congress and the BJP in the ensuing elections to the Lok Sabha, the leaders said the track record proves beyond any doubt that both were two sides of the same coin having ideologically the same foundations vis-à-vis minority aspirations are concerned.

They said during elections their rank and file would try to create awareness among masses about dangerous policies of the BJP and the Congress. They said first it was the Congress which undermined Sikhs for over 40 years but now Akalis (Badal) had brought in the BJP to “harm and deceive the Sikhs.'' Instead of banking upon the support of Panthic groups, Akalis were leaning on the clutches of the BJP, they rued.

The Congress and the BJP’s track record of relations with non-Hindu minorities have been horrible. The Congress had organized massacres of the Sikhs in November 1984 and this was emulated by the BJP against Muslim minority 18 years later in Gujarat. Similarly, the Congress destroyed Akal Takht in June 1984 whereas the BJP brought Babri Masjid to rubble in 1992.

The Congress has patronized, funded and encouraged “godmen” and fake dera’s to create divisions amongst Sikhs whereas the ideology of Hindutva was to eliminate all diversity from the subcontinent and impose ‘one nation and one culture’ theory on its people.

Criticizing the national level leaders for undermining the role and contribution of the regional parties in the progress of the country, they said the emergence of regional parties was a healthy sign as it would ensure the safety of the ethnic minorities, which have been at the receiving end in the larger polity of Hindu-India.

Urging people to vote on merit, they said the focus and consideration of voters should not revolve around personalities. Rather it should be based on ideology, principles besides good and clean governance.