FATEHGARH SAHIB, Punjab—A large gathering was witnessed at Sri Fatehgarh Sahib yesterday to mark the 68th birth anniversary of Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale. Sikh masses arrived here from all over Punjab, including from United States, Canada, England and Germany. Sikh youth arrived here in jeeps, motorcycles, buses wearing kesri dastars and holding nishan sahibs.

Along with Sikh leaders, members of other minority communities from across India also shared the stage. Sarbat Khalsa 2015 appointed interim Jathedar Bhai Dhian Singh Mand was also present at the celebrations.

During the commemoration programs, the All India Sikh Students Federation conducted a campaign to get signature in support of petition moved in International Court of Justice in Hague (Netherlands) seeking a referendum SYL-Canal issue of Punjab. The campaign witnessed a robust response as more than 35,000 Punjab citizens signed the petition.

‘Punjab Water Referendum 2017’ is organized by Sikh rights group ‘Sikhs For Justice’ (SFJ) to stop SYL Canal and to challenge Indian Government’s control over Punjab’s water. On the basis of this referendum, SFJ will file a case against India before International Tribunal in Hague, Netherlands.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN). It was established in June 1945 by the Charter of the United Nations and began work in April 1946. The seat of the Court is at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands). The Court’s role is to settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes submitted to it by States and to give advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies.

SFJ had moved a petition before the International Court of Justice in Hague after the Supreme Court of India gave its verdict against Punjab on SYL-Canal dispute between Punjab and Haryana. Annulling the ‘Punjab Termination of Agreements Act-2004’ on November 10, which was passed in 2004 by the Punjab assembly, the Apex Court had said that the Punjab state assembly doesn’t possess any right to annul a two sided agreement. Although at the behest of Punjab government, the Revenue Department of Punjab has de-notified the land, acquired for SYL-Canal, to its original owners. There is still, however, panic among Punjab masses as the central government could deploy paramilitary forces at any time to complete the portion of SYL-Canal in Punjab.