Washington, DC – The members of the Shri Guru Ravi Dass Sabha of New York expressed strong resentment and opposition to the attempted burning of the Indian Constitution in different parts of the world by a small vested group to highlight their cause.
On the 71st Republic Day of India, there were celebrations around the world by the Indian diaspora but there were also attempts to burn Indian Constitution by a handful of people led by Sikhs For Justice.
The episode started a few weeks ago, when Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, Legal Advisor of Sikhs for Justice made a video viral, announcing an intent to burn the Indian National Flag, the Tricolor, and the Indian Constitution on India’sRepublic Day in front of various Government of India Missions across the globe, including the US.
On learning this, Ashok Mahi, President of Shri Guru Ravi Dass Sabha of New York contacted Sikhs For Justice and requested them “not to burn the Indian Constitution” as it will hurt the feelings of his community.
Contacting Avtar Singh Pannu, one of the leaders of Sikhs For Justice, Mahi explained “strong feelings associated with the Indian Constitution and Baba Saheb (Dr. B R Ambedkar, the architect of Indian Constitution).
However, Sikhs for Justice went ahead with its attempted burning of the Indian Constitution, which has hurt the feelings of the community, Mahi said.
To express their resentment and anger over the attempted burning of the Indian Constitution, Mahi said that the members decided to denounce the move and burn the effigies of Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, whom they feel is the leading force behind the move.
Speaking to IAT on phone, Mahi said, “The demand for Khalistan is going on for years but we never opposed or expressed our opinions on that, but now we don’t understand what they got by hurting our feelings.”
Dr. B R Ambedkar, fondly called Baba Saheb by various communities in India and abroad, was independent India’s first law and justice minister and is labeled the major architect of the Constitution of India. He was not only a visionary politician, but also an active social reformer who inspired the Dalit Buddhist movement and campaigned against social discrimination towards the untouchables (Dalits).
According to Mahi, his Gurudwara membership is more than two thousand (around 2250) but the attendance is much more during Gurpurab (celebration of particular events). (IAT)
Tejinder Singh, Editor, India America Today & White House Correspondent