On July 31, a video of Dal Khalsa spokesperson Paramjit Singh Mand pleading Sikhs not to hoist Tiranga during the “Har Ghar Tiranga” agitation from August 13 to August 15 circulated on social media. Rehmat TV released a video of a gathering of Sikh Groups on July 31 at Bargari Morcha in Behbal Kalan. It’s important to note that Paramjit Singh Mand is the same individual who previously praised terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

The AAP-led government’s apathy against sacrilege acts that have occurred in Punjab over the years prompted the Sikh Groups to call the meeting. Cabinet Minister Harjot Bains had already met with Sikh groups and requested a six-month extension on the cases that were still pending, but Sikh leaders refused. Notably, if the AAP becomes the state’s administration, CM Bhagwant Mann has pledged to take swift action in the open cases.

In the address to the attendees present he said “In his address to the attendees of the meeting, Mand said, “On August 15, government officials hoist National Flag Tiranga on every government establishment. It happens in every school as well. This year, the Chief Minister will hoist the flag in Ludhiana. If you want to poke the system, the only way is by ‘gherao’ the officials who will go to hoist the flag. We are not going to disturb the program, but action has to be taken.Before going to corner the officials, make sure to announce your plans. Secondly, if you have read the papers, the government machinery has received the message [from the centre]. They have made crores of Tirangas for ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ movement. Do not take this lightly. Do not think that you do not need to react over the distribution of crores of Tirangas.

He further added “They will force you to hoist Tiranga at your houses. They will question you why you have not hoisted the flag. This is the same flag under which the attack at Darbar Sahib took place. They killed our people and did sacrilege to Guru Granth Sahib. The same Tiranga will be hoisted on your houses.To challenge their movement, we have decided that on every house in the state, the symbol of Khalsa (Nishan Sahib) will be hoisted. If someone does not accept Khalisai, they are free to hoist a flag of any colour but Tiranga. If you agree to this, a message will be sent to India. Above all, Punjab is known for the fact that you cannot force us to do anything. They cannot force us to hoist Tiranga. We do not accept this.”

He categorically stated that his organization and Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) boycott August 15 celebrations every year. They call it a black day. “We should do this at a larger platform. Everyone should contribute to this movement. This is not a cause of a small community. Jam the roads. Bring more people to join our movement. You have to press the neck of the enemy. They challenged us by killing our people. Now we will challenge them by not hoisting Tiranga. On August 15, the kesari flag will be hoisted on every roof in Punjab.”

 

 

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