Kesri Lehar UK and Scotland, prominent organizations advocating for the rights of the Punjabi people, have released an open letter addressed to Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, Minister for Minorities Affairs in Punjab, Pakistan. The letter urges the Minister to use his influential position to request that the Government of Pakistan formally support a United Nations-led, binding referendum on the independence of Indian-occupied Punjab.
The call for action comes in the wake of recent assassinations of Sikh activists and evidence of transnational repression. The letter highlights the growing demand for self-determination by Punjabis, citing the Punjab independence map circulated by Sikhs for Justice. Under international law, such a referendum must include all native residents currently living in Punjab regardless of religion or background.
Kesri Lehar UK and Scotland also express serious concerns about the pattern of transnational repression against Sikh activists, pointing to the targeted killings of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada (June 2023), Avtar Singh Khanda in the United Kingdom (June 2023), and Paramjit Singh Panjwar in Lahore, Pakistan (May 2023).
“These assassinations have caused deep alarm within the Sikh and Punjabi communities globally,” stated representatives from Kesri Lehar. “It is time for international bodies to take decisive action against repression and in favor of democratic rights.”
The organizations have called on the Government of Pakistan to publicly support a UN-facilitated referendum on Punjab’s future, demand international investigations into the killings of Sikh activists, and protect those engaging in peaceful political advocacy. Kesri Lehar UK and Scotland have also expressed their readiness to collaborate with global partners to ensure that the voices of the Punjabi people are heard through democratic and lawful means.
For media inquiries, please contact kesrileharuk@hotmail.com.
Kesri Lehar UK and Kesri Lehar Scotland remain committed to advocating for the rights and self-determination of the Punjabi people.
This press release is distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/.