YUBA CITY, CA: The diwan held at the Gurdwara Sahib Tierra Buena here on November 5 to mark the 282nd anniversary of the coronation of Guru Granth Sahib was overwhelmingly in support of the Panthic Committee of Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochahl while condemning the Indian Govt’s repression in Punjab. Over 15,000 people heard speaker after speaker stress the urgent need for an independent nation Khalistan as the only viable solution to the crises facing the Sikhs.
The atmosphere evoked in Yuba City was reminiscent of a Sarbat Khalsa. Prominent among those present were S. D. S. Gill of the Punjab Human Rights Organization, Assemblyman Chris Chandler, representatives of Mayors Bill Maghar of Yuba City and Art Agnos of San Francisco and the Sutter County Board of Supervisors.
The World Sikh Organization President S. Gurcharan Singh Dhillon said that the Panthic Committee had “our wholehearted support”. WSO was formed with the sole objective of Khalistan. He Said, WSO was providing financial assistance to the families of martyrs in response to the call of the Panthic Committee. He said, the WSO backs the call to boycott the election in Punjab. He said that the WSO would actively support Bhai Ranjeet Singh Gill and Bhai Sukhminder Singh Sandhu and any similar case.
”Had all Sikhs, all circumstances, been bound to obey these Jathedars, they would still be sup porting puppetries, who did not allow even Guru Teg Bahadur to enter the holy precincts of Darbar Sahib at Amristsar, Honored General Dyre and excommunicated the Babbar Akalis.
Sangat alone is the final authroity in Sikh affairs and it was so even during the life time of Gurus. Sangat ordinarily articulates itself through the agency of “Panj Pia tas”, Chosen by it. When it meets as Sarbat Khalsa it expresses its well on Panthic affairs through Gurmatta which is binding on all Sikhs.
He also stressed” the role of the PHRO and the repression of Sikhs in India.
Bhai Tejinder Singh of the five member Panthic Committee congratulated the Sikh Community of the U.S.A. for mobilizing the support of Congressmen against Human Rights violations by India. He gave some cases of police torture of Sikh women and the increasing fake encounters, Bhai Tejinder Singh’s appeal to con tribute to the Martyr’s Fund evoked a generous response.
- Ravinder Singh Shergill of Fremont urged greater support to the Panthic Committee. S. Harb hajan S. Bhinder commended the PHRO and its Chief Justice Bains. He also praised S. Gurmit Singh of the Council of Khalistan, S. Surinder Singh expressed support for the struggle.
Professor Balwant Singh of New Orleans was presented a Siropa in recognition of his work S. Ajit Singh Pannu also spoke on the need for Khalistan.
Later, the Gurdwara presented plaques in recognition of services to the Panth and work in the field of Human Rights to SDS Gill, S Tejinder Singh, Swaran Singh (for the Golden Temple float) Subedar Jajrup Singh (for organizing the parade,) Congressman Wally Herger and Assemblyman Chris Chandler
Ms. Fram received the plaque on behalf of Mr Herger.
Mr Tom Peffor, Ms. Barbera Laback and Mr. Larry Matna members of the Board of Supervisors of Sutter County graced the occasion.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 10, 1989
