New York, September 27: A coalition of pro-Khalistani organizations gathered outside the United Nations Headquarters on Wednesday to stage a demonstration against the Indian government, calling for self-determination for Punjab and the release of Sikh political prisoners.
The rally, rescheduled from an earlier date, was organized by the World Sikh Parliament, the Sikh Coordination Committee East Coast, and the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar). Demonstrators waved Khalistani flags and chanted slogans denouncing New Delhi’s policies, drawing attention to what they described as systemic repression of the Sikh community.
Key figures behind the protest included Himmat Singh of the World Sikh Parliament, Surjit Kular of SAD (Amritsar), and Dalvinder Singh from the New York Sikh Sangat. Addressing the crowd, organizers accused the Indian government of carrying out “harsh policies” against Punjab and reiterated calls for global intervention.
“The Sikh people will not remain silent while our rights are trampled,” said one participant, highlighting the group’s core demand for Punjab to be recognized as an independent homeland.
The choice of venue outside the UN was deliberate, organizers said, aiming to internationalize their cause and appeal to global institutions for support. Similar rallies have been staged in recent years by diaspora Sikh organizations seeking to keep the issue of Punjab alive in international forums.
There has been no immediate response from Indian authorities in New York regarding the demonstration.