Dear Brothers/Sisters

Waheguru ji ka Khalsa!
Waheguru ji ki Fateh!

I extend my warmest greetings to all of you who had gathered here to pay respect to Nishan Sahib (Sikh Flag) at this historical place of worship where blood of our 13 beloved Sikhs were spilled by the agents of the Indian state twenty seven years ago. The incident was the turning point in the contemporary Sikh history and I had a strong conviction that today's event would be another milestone in our on-going efforts to establish sovereign self-rule for Sikhs. We are all aware that our nation continues to face a belligerent India but we remain confident that the democratic will of our people will see us through to the end.

Today marks the anniversary of the Indian constitution. It is a "Black Day" for all the minorities of India. By coming here today and saluting the Sikh flag, you are keeping alive the memory and dedication of all those martyrs who laid down their lives to protect the Sikh faith and people. While the Indians are busy in raising and saluting their tricolor, we are here to raise and salute the Sikh Flag, the symbol of Sikh sovereignty, truth and justice for all. In the brief existence of India as an independent nation, there has seen much bloodshed and human suffering. However, the blood has not been inflicted upon India by any outside force. The blood has been spilt due to the force the Indian state uses against the minority religious, ethnic, cultural and tribal peoples, all of which have been under Indian rule since the end of the British colonial era in the mid 20th century.

The Brahminical class with their divisive polices and practices are leading the India since beginning. They had kept a large section of the society out of their own "exclusive" domain of privilege and power. They had made a hell of lives of others. I am convinced that this class is not a true representative of Hindus. It represents the existing ruling elite, which seizes to retain its domination by denying all other section their basic rights. Those who raise their voice and heads end up facing the brunt of might of the state, which is exercised by this Brahmnical class.

The stories of the sufferings of Sikh were too numerous to tell. The violations of human rights by Indian security agencies have been uncountable. The cruel acts of terrors were many. Many precious lives were lost in the hands of security forces. But the energetic Sikhs with their distinctive unique birthright and history stand still without any retreat. India has tried to crush Sikhs by various means and methods but she has failed to. Too long, has the blood of our peoples been spilt? Too long, have the minds of our peoples been corrupted. Too long, have we all suffered persecution and discrimination because of our religious beliefs, which differ from the mainly Hindu Indian heartland.

We were constitutionally caged in 1950- the day Indian Constitution was imposed on us. Since then we are prisoners in this country. Sikh opposition to this constitution is well on record. Sikh representatives at that time registered their protest by refusing to sign the document. The framers of this document defied the spirit behind its formation and betrayed the commitment they made to Sikh representatives before partition. We are well aware that the Indian constitution has engulfed the separate identity of the Sikhs. Under India's constitution, Sikhs are classified as Hindus. The Hindu Marriage Act of 1955 is even extended to include Sikhs. Indian Parliament has amended the Constitution at least 72 times. But not once did it considered amending it to grant the Sikh community its due status. Under the shadow of this constitution and tricolor, thousands of Sikhs have been butchered all over India in the last two and half decades. In a blatant violation of riparian law and basic principles, Punjab has been robbed of its natural resources (river waters) and territory.

Let it also be known, that Sikhs are not alone in this struggle against the Indian establishment. Right now, the Kashmiris, Nagas and Assamese are also observing India's Republic Day as a Black Day. Let us make a pledge that the common cause of all oppressed peoples will be brought to one platform. The struggle for independence is our lifeline. To start, there's a need to launch a political agitation against the Indian hegemony.

Today is a day of betrayal, but today is also the start of a new struggle, and new hope for the future. Always remain alert and ready to respond to the challenges thrown by enemies of the Panth may it be RSS, Radhaswami or neo-Nirankaris. We have to be extra-cautious in dealing with the Congress's so-called newfound love for Sikhs. Don't get swayed by Congress just because it has given a chance to Sikhs to become India's prime minister and chief of army staff. The attempts to bring literature and spread culture that poison the minds of the Punjabi youth with filth and propaganda must be resisted. The state's attempts to rob our only natural resources-river waters, would be dealt firmly.

We must work hard to bring development and prosperity in this region and establish rule of law and justice to all especially downtrodden. We have to open venues for unemployed Punjabi youths so as to stop them from becoming drug addicts and apostate.

On economic front a lot has to done to improve the conditions of cash-ridden farmers. Opening of Wahga border is equally essential to strengthen cultural bonds and enhance economic co-operation between both the neighbours. We should put our all efforts to create harmony with Christians, Hindus and Muslims of this region. We have a great responsibility to create awareness so as to remove all misgivings and misconceptions deliberately created about the concept of Sikh statehood. We must resist the growing influx of migrant labour. We can do this by refusing to work with, employ or deal with those who hire migrants over Punjabis.

It's being said that the 21st century will be the century of change. More things will change in more places in the next 10 yrs than in the previous 100 years. Sikhs should be prepared for the change. This gathering calls upon the energetic Sikh individuals and groups residing in various parts of the world to lobby for the associate membership for Sikh Nation in the UNO. We had praise for all Sikhs (Punjab and elsewhere in the world) who have been contributing for the sake of Sikh goal for freedom. May Waheguru lead all of us and shield us from evil all the time.