Bbc Sikhs Rally In London Over 1984 India Temple Attack

[PunjabiPredator]

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 to flush out militants from the temple premises.

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.

Operation Bluestar

Liberal Democrat MP Simon Hughes spoke at the rally alongside leaders and prominent personalities from the Sikh community in the UK, Europe and India.

The 1984 attack on the temple complex - Operation Bluestar - had been personally approved by Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, to flush out militants who wanted an independent homeland of Khalistan.

There has never been agreement on the numbers killed, but Sikhs say thousands were massacred by Indian troops, many of them innocent bystanders.

Mrs Gandhi was assassinated four months later by her Sikh bodyguards. Following her death anti-Sikh rioting erupted in India which left about 3,000 Sikhs dead.

Events are also being held in Vancouver in Canada and in California to mark the 27th anniversary of the attack.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13660218

I am surpised only 25,000 showed up if that is the correct count.

[gurdssingh]

http://www.bbc.co.uk...london-13660218

I am surpised only 25,000 showed up if that is the correct count.

Don't know exact figures but surely there must have been more. Loads of sangat. 26 coaches from Leicester. 3 from Guru HarKishen Sahib, Oadby, and from what I heard 16 from Guru Tegh Bhadur Sahib (East Park Road), and 7 from Guru Nanak Dev Ji Gurdwara (Holy Bones, City Centre).

EDIT#

It was 20 coaches 3, 14 and 3.

[dalsingh101]

I hope these things are supplemented with other strategies.

The English government/media just seem to ignore them?

[lsingh]

I hope these things are supplemented with other strategies.

The English government/media just seem to ignore them?

The BBC asked for pictures to be sent to them in the article below, there must be many who tokk phots.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-13660218

[Southall Youth]

I'd say at least 75,000 Sikhs - was really really a moving scene to see the Panth uniting :omg: ,the sea of sangat just went on and on.I remember the days when it was just one coach from Southall and even that was not all full - The Qoum is truly waking up

[KhalistaniGunMan]

There had to be more than 25,000...i was there..its the bigeest turnout ever to a remeberance rally and many of the newcomers were youth....but i believe a march like the one today is not enough..we need to pursue other stratrgies aswell

[lsingh]

There had to be more than 25,000...i was there..its the bigeest turnout ever to a remeberance rally and many of the newcomers were youth....but i believe a march like the one today is not enough..we need to pursue other stratrgies aswell

The awarness growing amongst the Panth is due to the Sikh TV Channels and radio stations, no longer is the voice restricted by Gurdwara committees who are more interested in their petty local politics. To Keep the Sikh media gowing needs a lot of financial support so we should contribute there as well.

[Sikhistan]

India is crying-

Times of India

LONDON: Several thousand pro-Khalistan Sikhs marched through central London on Sunday to mark the 27th anniversary of Operation Bluestar, a turnout that surprised even the organisers. The organisers claimed a figure of 25,000, but the Scotland Yard put the number at 6,000. The 'Remembrance March' began at Hyde Park and concluded at Trafalgar Square.

An intelligence source said remnants of extremist groups like Babbar Khalsa and Damdami Taksal were prominent in the protest organised by Sikh Federation UK. Hardliners took the opportunity to reiterate their call for the right to self-determination. The gathering was slated to be addressed by two backbench British members of Parliament.

Anti-Indian groups in Britain have become more vocal and have reconnected with pro-Pakistani Kashmiri associations backed by Pakistan's ISI.

[Sikhistan]

Take time to leave comment on the above Times of india news article. You don't need to register with them in order to post comment.. So post Positive informative comments for indians to learn more about Sikh Genocide.

[PunjabiPredator]

India is crying-

Times of India

Yeah India is going to cry they can't handle the fact that over maybe 25,000 people turned up for the rally and they are also disputing BBC. I think BBC count of 25,000 might be inaccurate as well so its funny how Pro Indian source like BBC is saying something and then Times of India is saying something else. I think overall the rally this year by UK SANGAT was more of a success then previous years since BBC mentioned it and also it was mentioned in TIMES OF INDIA.