Raise Khalistan slogans
PUNE: in a fine display of Sikh valour and a great day for Khalistan Bhai and Harjinder Singh “Jinda” and Bhai Sukhdev Singh Sukha while being awarded the death sentence said “jo Bole So nihal, Sat Sri Akal.” They also raised pro-Khalistan and pro-Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale slogans, they told the judge “we are happy today that our lives were of some use to the panth. We welcome your judgment.” They were awarded death sentence for the assassination of former Indian Army Chief General Arun Kumar Val dya. Designated court Judge V I. Ruikar declared them guilty on Oct 21. The sentence would be subject to confirmation by the supreme court. The highest court of appeal in the country. Gen. Vaidya supervised the operation Blue Star in the Golden Temple in the Sikh holy city of Amritsar. The Judge also awarded 10 years rigorous imprisonment to the two for attempt to commit murder of Mrs Bhanumati Vaidya.
Ruikar acquitted Bhai Nirmal Singh Nimma of all charges framed against him by the prosecution. The two have been given 30 days leave for appeal. The Judge rejected outright the conspiracy theroy put forward by the prosecution. It is interesting to note that two Sikh youths Bhai Ranjit Singh Gill and Bhai Sukhminder Singh Sandhu are in New York jail for this “conspiracy”.
In an interview to WSN they said: “We are sad to hear of the death sentence but overjoyed at the heroic acts of the brave Sikhs. They have upheld the noble tradition of Sikhism as laid down by Guru Gobind Singh. This is a historic day in the struggle for Khalistan and we are reminded of the bravery of Banda Bahadur. May God grant us also an opportunity o serve the cause in such a manner.”
Gurcharan Singh Dhillon, President of the World Sikh Organization while lauding the actions of Bhai Harjinder Singh and Bhai Sukhdev Singh said, this judgment would prove to be a landmark in Sikh history. We could not expect anything else from the committed Hindu judiciary of India, he said. “The Hindus are digging their grave deep and wide was the reaction of S Fauja Singh of West Point. They are not heaping atrocities on Sikhs but sounding their own death knell.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 27, 1989