Sikhs protest on Ambedkar's birthday celebration in UN
New Delhi : While the entire nation is celebrating Ambedkar's 127th birth anniversary, a group of Sikhs belonging to the Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar USA and Youth Akali Dal Amritsar USA are protesting against alleged atrocities carried out against minority communities in India.
India’s Permanent Mission to the UN had arranged a special event named ‘Leaving No One Behind’ at the United Nation yesterday to celebrate B.R Ambedkar’s 127th birthday. UN Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator Achim Steiner delivered the crucial lecture at the event.
As India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin started his opening notes at the event, a group of Sikhs stood up in the conference room and held up posters that read ‘Minorities Under Threat’ and ‘Never Forget 84’ alongside pictures of Ayodhya’s Babri Masjid and the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
Akbaruddin remained calm and continued to deliver his speech in the event. About 15 Sikh had tied black bands on their turbans and stood silently for the entire duration of Akbaruddin’s remarks, holding up the posters for the public to see.
After Akbaruddin concluded his speech, the group left the conference room. Outside the room, UN police and security personnel gathered and questioned the protestors, inspecting their posters and inquired about whether they had permission and valid passes to enter the UN.
The Sikhs, belonging to the Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar USA and Youth Akali Dal Amritsar USA, told the security personnel that they were protesting silently and peacefully.
One of the protesters, Sabjeet Singh of the Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar USA told PTI that Ambedkar’s vision was to ensure equality for all communities, minorities and Dalits and he had mentioned his valuable thoughts in the Indian Constitution.
“But the BJP government that has come to power in India wants to build a Hindu nation. They are committing atrocities against Sikhs, Christians, Muslims, Dalits. We are here to peacefully convey the message on behalf of all the minority communities in India that Ambedkar’s vision of equality remains unfulfilled,” he said.
