Guwahati: In an unusual development, the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) on Tuesday in an open letter support for Independent Assam from India. On Tuesday they wrote a letter in response to the recent open letter from Ulfa-I to them, supporting the Ulfa-I demand of Independent Assam.
“We are writing to you in response to your recent Open Letter to “Sikhs For Justice” (SFJ) regarding the ongoing controversy between the pro Khalistan Sikhs and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of Hindu supremacist party BJP which believes in continued tyrannical occupation of the people and land of Assam. At the very outset, SFJ expresses gratitude to the Assamese people for always standing with the Sikh people in their struggle for freedom from India and for never being part of the state sponsored persecution of Sikhs being carried out in India since June 1984 Operation Blue Star,” the SFJ stated in press release.
It further stated, “SFJ believes in the right to self-determination for all peoples, as enshrined in UN Charter and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and that people of Assam equally qualify for this right,”.
“SFJ challenges and repudiates India’s claim to the territorial integrity as the current territorial borders of the Union of India are a colonial legacy founded on the usurpation of right to self-determination of the indigenous people of Punjab, Assam and other areas.SFJ believes that the only permanent solution is Balkanization of India for which SFJ has launched the first ever global Khalistan Referendum on the question “Should Indian Governed Punjab Be An Independent Country?” the statement added.
It further added, “Considering that Assamese people have the right to self-determination under international law, valuing their commitment and sacrifices for the cause of freedom and accounting for ULFA-I’s dedication, strength, discipline, popularity and organizational set up, SFJ would like to suggest that, on the lines of Khalistan Referendum, General Paresh, you also announce to hold referendum on the question “Should Indian Occupied Assam be an Independent Country?”.
“Having experience of successfully organizing global Khalistan Referendum which is being held under the supervision of international experts and observers, through this letter SFJ announces that should ULFA-I declare to organize an independence referendum for Assam, SFJ will support the Assam Independence Referendum (AIR) by providing. All legal help and logistical guidance to ULFA-I in holding the Assam Independence Referendum. Help in the campaign to lobby for Assam’s independence among the nations of the world; Legal support in presenting the case for Assam’s independence before the UN,” the SFJ stated.
On Monday, through a open letter the Paresh Baruah led United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent(ULFA-I) said that the threat from Khalistan-backed Sikhs for Justice to Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was unfortunate and misunderstood.