“Sikh independence” recognition triggers Indian anger towards American freedoms

Indian nationalist groups have reacted furiously to Connecticut General Assembly (GA) officially recognising “Sikh independence” on Khalistan Declaration Day last week.

Many Sikhs mark April 29th as Khalistan (free Sikh homeland) Declaration Day, as it was on this day in 1986 that hundreds of thousands of Sikhs agreed to pursue an independent free homeland in India at a Sarbat Khalsa gathering. Connecticut General Assembly released an official congratulations for the occasion last week.

Connecticut sangat (Sikh congregation), led by members of the World Sikh Parliament, have previously worked closely with the state’s General Assembly for recognition of Sikh positions and issues. However, this use of American freedoms by US Sikhs has angered various Indian groups, with the likes of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) reacting furiously to the latest act of recognition by Connecticut.

India has a much criticised law against sedition in India which has led to many Indian nationalist groups believing any talk of support for independence movements in India is criminal, even when carried out overseas through the freedoms nations like America provide. Indian nationalist groups also often use denigrative language about the Khalistan movement specifically, upholding state propaganda used to justify the Sikh genocide which peaked in the 80s-90s.

This was seen in the response to the Connecticut GA’s actions, as the New York Consulate General of India claimed Khalistan was based on “bigotry” and an “agenda of violence”, whilst GOPIO called support for Khalistan a “divisive agenda”. There is no evidence of any type of violent or illegal support for Khalistan in the USA.

Sikh activists highlight that historic Khalistani violence in India actually stemmed from Sikh organisations defending themselves from the state perpetrated genocide, and specifically the “fake encounters” massacre campaigns which resulted in thousands dying at the hands of police. These massacres, which included the killing of children and women by Punjab Police, have been documented by American Sikh group Ensaaf. Many Sikhs also highlight how support is largely based on India’s endless human rights abuses and subjugation of minorities. Protests against India’s arbitrary imprisonment of Sikh political prisoners continues to this day, whilst an elderly Sikh man was shot just last week during a violent anti-Khalistan rally held by a Hindu extremist group.

These human rights abuses of Sikhs in India are completely overlooked by groups like GOPIO in context of Khalistan. Attacks against independence movements in India are usually led by those who wish to uphold the current regime of India which works best for Hindus of perceived high-caste background. The Sikh faith is inherently against caste discrimination.

Speaking on the issue, Sikh Press Association Senior Press Officer Jasveer Singh said, “American legislature and also media need to be aware of the very skewed view many Indian nationalist types have towards American notions of freedom. In America, anyone has the right to support an independence movement, whether that be for Scotland, Quebec, Texas or Catalonia. However, when it comes to Khalistan, any respect of American freedoms goes completely out-the-window for such Indians, including official government representatives, as seen in the reaction of the Indian Consulate of New York.

“The Connecticut sangat are immersed in the communities of the state. They do seva (selfless service) for the people of Connecticut and also use the state’s mechanisms to further learning about Sikhs and Sikh issues. The relationship between Sikhs in Connecticut and the state authorities should be celebrated.

“The fact is there are likely millions of Sikh supporters of Khalistan, and America allows its Sikhs the right to support Khalistan, which many do legally and democratically, which Sikhs in India unfortunately do not have the freedom to do.”

The World Sikh Parliament are expected to release a statement about the Indian anger towards their use of American freedoms shortly.