Ravinder Singh Johal says Punjab’s 1947 partition should be remembered as a tragedy, not a celebration; organisation calls for participation in Khalistan Referendum on 17 August and August 14 march
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — August 10, 2026 — Patshahi Daawa New Zealand, also known as NZ Sikh Voice, has described August 15 as a “Black Day” for Punjab ahead of the 80th anniversary of the 1947 partition.
The statement was issued by Ravinder Singh Johal on behalf of Patshahi Daawa New Zealand.
Johal said the anniversary should be remembered as a day of mourning for the approximately one million Punjabis who lost their lives during the partition and the millions more who were displaced from their homes.
“15 August is not a day of celebration for Punjab. It is a Black Day,” Johal said in the statement.
The statement says the human suffering caused by the partition extended far beyond the events of 1947, with families separated, communities uprooted and millions forced to leave their ancestral homes.
Patshahi Daawa New Zealand also highlighted what it described as the betrayal of political assurances made to Sikhs before and around the time of partition.
“Sikhs have suffered under successive Indian governments, while promises and political assurances made to the Sikh community before 1947 were repeatedly betrayed,” the statement said.
The organisation argues that political, cultural and constitutional safeguards promised to Sikhs were not honoured, contributing to what it describes as a continuing legacy of mistrust and injustice.
‘Not an Independence Day for Sikhs or Punjab’
Patshahi Daawa New Zealand said that while August 15 is officially celebrated as India's Independence Day, it does not regard the date as representing independence for Sikhs or Punjab.
The organisation said it believes the people of Punjab have the right to determine their own political future through peaceful and democratic means.
As part of its statement, the organisation called on Sikhs in Indianapolis to participate in the Khalistan Referendum, describing participation as a means for Sikhs to express their political aspirations.
It also appealed to people in Punjab to join a Dal Khalsa march on August 14, saying the march would commemorate those killed and displaced during the 1947 partition and highlight its position that August 15 should be observed as a Black Day.
Remembering Partition
The statement comes as the 80th anniversary of the partition brings renewed attention to the enormous human cost of the division of Punjab in 1947.
Johal said remembering those who died and were displaced remains central to the organisation’s position.
“We remember the one million lives lost. We remember the millions who were displaced. We remember the promises made and betrayed. We remember the suffering of Punjab,” the statement said.
Patshahi Daawa New Zealand concluded by reaffirming its position that the people of Punjab should have the right to determine their own political future.
Deep State Press
Reporting on Punjab, Sikhs, politics and human rights.
Source: Statement issued by Ravinder Singh Johal, Patshahi Daawa New Zealand (NZ Sikh Voice), August 10, 2026.