SACRAMENTO Ca.: The Sikhs of Central Valley demonstrated in front of the California Assembly on June 5, 1987, in response to the call given by World Sikh Organization to observe a protest week against the continuing naked oppression of government of India and in rememberance of the martyrs who laid their lives during the army attack on the Golden Temple in June, 1984. The protesters holding placards with several demands and protest notes came from Stockton, Fresno, Fremont, San Jose, Berkely, Sacramento, and Yuba City. The pictures of various martyrs and tragic scenes of the holocaust of 1984 were also placed before the Assembly Hall.
Several prominent Sikh leaders including S. Jagjit Singh Boparai, President Sikh Gurdwara Stockton, S. Gurcharan Singh Dhillon, TreasurerW.S.0., S. Jit Singh Bainiwal, Dr. Gurinder Singh Grewal, Dr. Ajit Paul Singh Sandhu, Bibi Gurbux Kaur Kahlon, Sant Kirpal Singh of Yuba City, S. Narinder Singh Somal and others.
spoke about the demands of the Sikhs. S. Gurnam Singh Pamma vicePresident W.S.O. was the chief organizer of the demonstration while S. Bakshish Singh of Sacramento acted as the stage secretary.
- Didar Singh Bains, President W.S.0. thanked all the participants. He announced that the fight will continue till the establishement of Khalistan. He introduced State Senator Dolittle and Assemblyman Chris Chandler to the demonstrators. Later both of them addressed the audience. They assured their help in conveying the demands to the quarter concerned.
Later a delegation led by S. Didar Singh Bains, presented a memorandum to Dr. John McCarthy, the representative of the Governor. The deputationists discussed their problems and demands at length. Dr. McCarthy was very sympathetic and considerate. He assured the deputationists to convey their demands and problems to the Governor. He also desired the Sikh leaders to provide him more literature on the issues raised by them during their discussion for the benefit of the Governor. The Sikh leaders apprised him of the illegal activities of the Indian consulate in San Francisco and their interference in the religious affairs of the Sikh community. The delegation also demanded refugee status for persecuted Sikhs in California. The delegation assured the Governor’s representative that Sikhs will do their best to help the State Governor and participate in the economic prosperity of the State. Dr. McCarthy discussed these issues in a friendly and cordial atmosphere. He also promised to arrange a similar meeting of Sikh leaders with the Governor.
After the demonstration the participants were served with langar arranged by Sikh Gurdwara Sacramento. The demostrators, who came from outside appreciated the efforts of S. Bakhshish Singh S. Jagat Singh Rai and rest of the Sikh Gurdwara Sacramento’s management committee for making A similar demonstration was also held in front of Indian Consulate’s office San Fransico on June 6, 1987. The demonstrators who marched to the consulate office in procession raised various slogans including that of Khalistan. The demonstration was adequately covered by the American media, T.V. ect. The demonstrators burnt the Indian tricolour flag in front of the consulate to impress upon the consulate and the spectators that the Sikhs do not consider… themselves as Indians and have lost their total faith in the Indian Constitution. The demonstration was led by the leaders of youth of California, Sikh Gurdwara Fremont, San Jose, El Sabrante, San Fransisco and Stockton, leaders ; of Republic of Khalistan and new AKali Dal.
Later Dr. Sukhminder Singh, President Akali Dal, Mrs. Jajit Singh Boparai, Mr. Ravinder SherGill, Jathedar Jit Singh Baniwal, S. Gurdeep Singh Sohal and others addressed the gathering. Mr. S.P. Singh and Mr. Panna recited the poems on martyrdom. flawless arrangements for the demonstration.
In New York the day was observed by arranging blood donation by the Sikh Cultural Society and a big demonstration by the W’S.O. Nearly 500 Sikhs gathered there and recalled the brutal attack on Sikh religious places and massacre of innocent Sikhs by the Indian army in 1984. They called upon the free world to ensure justice and freedom for all Sikhs. In Chicago also an impressive demonstration was staged by the Sikhs before the Indian consulate on Saturday, June 6, at 3:00 p.m.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 12, 1987
