Over Seas
More than 25,000 participated in Remamberance march and Freedom rally at London
June 5, 2011 | By Sikh Siyasat Bureau
A part of Sikh gathering during Freedom Rally at Trafalgar Square
London (June 05, 2011): About 25,000 Sikhs from across the UK attended a rally in Trafalgar Square to mark an attack on their holiest shrine in India, organisers have said. Earlier Sikhs marched from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square to commemorate the 1984 attack on the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, north India. Indian armed forces stormed the holiest Sikh shrine 27 years ago.
Sikh leaders called for the right to self-determination at the rally. The Sikh Federation UK, which organised the event, said people travelled to London in coaches to attend the Freedom Rally at Trafalgar Square.
Delegations also came from Europe for the event. Liberal Democrat MP Simon Hughes spoke at the rally alongside leaders and prominent personalities from the Sikh people in the UK, Europe and India. The 1984 attack on the Darbar Sahib complex – Operation Bluestar – had been personally approved by Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who was assassinated four months later by two Sikhs; Satwant Singh and Beant Singh. Following her death anti-Sikh violance was organized by the ruling regime of India, the Congress Party, in which appx. ten thusand Sikhs were massacred.
Events are also being held in Vancouver in Canada and in California to mark the 27th anniversary of the attack.
Related Topics: June 1984 attack on Sikhs, Sikh Organizations