SAN FRANCISCO: Sikhs held protests the world over on December 10. A successful “bandh” (protest strike) against the violation of human rights by the security forces in the Indian occupied territories of Punjab and Kashmir was observed all over in Indian occupied Punjab and demonstrations were held in several cities in North America, Europe, Australia and South -East Asia.

The call for observing the strike to coincide the U.N. human rights day was issued by Ludhiana-based Punjab Human Rights Organization and the Panthic Committee (Dr. Sohan Singh) which reported from Chandigarh that the public response was widespread. Pro-India news agencies, however, stated — that the response to the bandh call was “partial”, at many places.

There were big demonstrations outside UN offices in London and the Buckingham Palace. In Paris too Sikhs raised pro Khalistan and anti-India slogans. Kashmiris joined Sikhs to raise their voice against the terrible repression let loose by the Indian govt in Chicago, Los Angles, and Houston New Orleans among other places.

In San Francisco 400 Sikhs from as far away as Bakersfield, Sacramento, Tracy, Modesto, Fremont, and Livingston organized a peaceful protest at the Civic Plaza. The speakers all focused on the contempt India showed for human rights and world opinion, Many Kashmiris joined the pro- test.

Robert Jobe , a prominent Bay Area _ Immigration attorney, said he was shocked at the inhuman treatment meted out to Sikhs in India . In this country to a representation was needed to be made to immigration authorities not to detain Sikhs illegally, he said. Other speakers included, Dr Amarjit Singh, Spokesman Panthic Committee, to whom goes the credit for organizing and coordinating the entire effort, Dr. Gurinder Singh Grewal, President World Sikh News, Bhai Jit Singh Bainiwal of Babbar Khalsa,S Gurbax Singh of Fresno, Bibi Amrit Kaur of Kaur Organization, Bibi Gurbax Kaur Kahlon ,S Gurdial Singh Of Vallejo S Surit Singh Khalsa and S didar Singh among others. Slogans denouncing the tyrannical Hindu regime of India were raised while every speakers views were endorsed with loud Jaikaras of Jo bole so nihal, Sat Siri Akal and Khalistan Zindabad! It was noteworthy that all Sikh organizations were together on this vital issue.

In Washington DC the North American Chapter of the PHRO organized the protest outside the White House. Sikhs of all ages, men, women and children got the attention of tourists visiting White House and pedestrians on the busy Pennsylvania Ave. Most of Sikhs were carrying placards saying “Stop U.S. Aid to India”, “Stop IMF Loans to India”, “Murderers Indian Army get out of Sikh homeland”, and India out of Khalistan”.

A group of Kashmiris representing Kashmir American Council also joined this protest demonstration and showed their solidarity with their Sikh brothers as they too face similar circumstances in Kashmir.

Dr. Rajwant Singh, President of PHRO- NA, Said, “How can there ever be free and fair elections in Punjab in the presence of so much military.

At the end, Dr. Singh, on behalf of PHRO, thanked Sikhs all over the world for showing their support for this action and said “we must continue to present a united front against this tyrannical govt which is trying to wipe out our heritage, culture and religion”. We must redouble our efforts. World Wide”. Gurmit Singh Aulakh also spoke at demonstration S. Lachman Singh Aujla from W.S.O. distributed copies of World Sikh News to participants.

In New York, the demonstration was well attended as over 700 people gathered in front United Nation to mark this day. This time they got the attention of the local & international media and submitted the memorandum issued by the Panthic Committee (Dr. Sohan Singh).

Sikhs mostly from Orange County gathered at Los Angeles Civic Center peacefully and well organized demonstration was made by displaying posters such as “Stop Sikh genocide” in India. Pictures of Sikh Martyrs and brutality of Indian ruling party was displayed. The dedicated Sikhs met at Los Angeles Mayor Bradley’s office with Human Rights commission Representative, Julie Tugend, She received the memorandum and sympathized with the Sikh cause and promised to forward the memorandum to Secretary General, United Nations. This clearly indicated that there is unity among concerned Sikhs as it was a united effort of all dedicated Sikh bodies.

In Punjab according to reports, there was a strike in the interior of Amritsar city while in the outer areas shops and business establishments functioned normally. However, in Tarn Taran, Patti and Bhikiwind, the public was on a complete strike.

The people of Ludhiana city observed the day in a peaceful and orderly manner. The response to the call in the interior Hindu- dominated localities was poor. In Sangrur, Ropar and Patiala districts the response to the bandh call was partial.

A common feature of the day was that private bus services remained suspended. The government-owned passenger transport services, however, remained in operation on the national and state highways but did not play in the district and rural routes. The attendance in government offices was affected. The day passed off peacefully and there was no untoward incident anywhere until afternoon.

Politically, the protest day had its own significance. The public at large expressed their resentment against the deployment of Indian army and other security forces in Punjab. The call was issued by P.H.R.O., a non-party organization with no cadres or even district units, It was supported by several militant groups but the Indian government did not allow the media to carry the groups’ statements on the issue.

Several other groups such as SCPC, Sikh Vichar Manch, Punjab Sikh Lawyers Council, Punjab Sikh Intellectuals Council and other sundry organizations backed the call but the main Akali parties – the Akali Dal (Mann), Akali Dal (Badal), All India Sikh Students Federation (Manjit), Akali Dal (Longowal) refrained from issuing any statement in favor of the protest strike. However, the Chandigarh unit of Akali Dal (Mann) headed by Prof Bhupinder Singh endorsed the strike call.

From among traditional Akali Dal leaders only Gurcharan Singh Tohra supported the strike call. Parkash Singh Badal, Simranjit Singh Mann and other important Akali leaders kept silent.

Explaining his party’s silence on the issue a traditional Akali said that P.H.R.O. is one which stands in the way of a negotiated settlement of the Punjab issue with Delhi; its terms for talks are so tough that no group can ever go to negotiating table. The aklis are no fools to lend credibility to such an organization, he said.

Article extracted from this publication >> December 13, 1991