Sikhs protest at UN on 30th anniversary of Bluestar

New York: Marking the 30th anniversary of `Operation Bluestar`, Sikh men, women and children held a demonstration outside the United Nations on Saturday and announced the holding of a referendum among the Sikh diaspora in 2020 on the right to self-determination.

Rights group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) submitted a complaint to the UN human rights body urging the UN to set up a tribunal to investigate and prosecute the "crimes" related to the June 1984 military raid on the Golden Temple. The group also asked the UN to "condemn" the use of force against the Sikh community during Operation Bluestar. It said the UN should "recognise that the Sikhs have right to self-determination under UN Charter, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights". SFJ legal advisor attorney Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said a referendum in 2020 would be held around the world in which the Sikh diaspora will be able to vote on the question of their right to self-determination.