Vancouver: Five hundred plus participants in two days of deliberations coinciding with the Fourth Biennial Convention of World Sikh Organization (Canada) were unanimous in heir belief that establishment of Khalistan is the only way the Sikhs can begin to enjoy their God given rights liberties and freedoms.
Held at the prestigious “Sheraton Plaza in Vancouver the convention was very interactive interesting and informative. Apart from the business sessions pertaining to the election of the new team of office bearers all other sessions were open to general membership and interested observers from within and outside of the community.
The inaugural session on December 271991 was addressed by the National and international Presidents of the World Sikh Organization as well as the representatives of the municipal and provincial governments. Notable speakers at this session were Kamaljit Kaur Sidhu who spoke on the role of Sikh women and Dr.Ant More a specialist in Educational Psychology who focused on the issues pertaining to discrimination and stereotyping in the society
Keven Griffin from the staff of Vancouver Sun presented his scientific analysis based on his papers coverage of Sikh issues during 1991 His findings revealed that his paper carried 126 stories during 1991 which mentioned the word Sikh Out of this only 23 stories pertained to “Multiculturalism and the rest were in some way shape or form connected with law and order. This does not reflect the true situation.
A forum on Sikh Youth and Women’s Issues” attracted more than a hundred handsomely clad Amritdhari Sikh youth Girls seemed to enjoy a slight majority in this group. The pane! included Karamjit Kaur Sidhu Harwant Singh and Jasbeer Singh. The session was chaired by Sarbjit Kaur Kotalwi. After a hesitant start there was an incessant volley of ideas Young Sikhs participated very actively and left no doubt in any ones mind that they fully understand and are proud of Sikh values practices and traditions. They were not equally appreciative of the modus operandi of the older Sikhs in Gurdwaras at home and elsewhere in the society. Very clear and category declarations by the Sikh youth should serve as a warning and a challenge to the earlier generation of the Sikhs. Their actions inactions and thought processes are not going unnoticed not by our bright and watchful youth.
The other forum on media and multicultural issues attracted similar robust exchange of views and information The following day (December 28,1991) witnessed a four hour long discussion on Khalistan; Myth or Reality The stage was set by opening comments from Gian Singh Sandhu and Delohn Spellman. Inspite of Dr. Spellman’s strong admonitions pertaining to Sikhs failure to have reached a consensus on the constitution external relations boundary political pattern and defence structure for Khalistan the 500 plus participants were nearly unanimous in declaring Khalistan a reality.
Doubts if any were cleared by Dr Spell man in his address other 1000 plus gathering of Sikhs government of Indian formers and other participants in the evenings banquet focusing on the theme of the convention Global Change Count us in.
He declared that the Sikh Homeland of Khalistan would not be a tiny or untenable territory as thought by some people. The number of people in Khalistan would be greater than the number of people in Australia It would be five times the number of people in the State of Israel Not only sufficient in essential agricultural products it would have a huge surplus of such strategic commodities.
He referred to the developments taking place in Eastern Europe and prophesied that the Indian subcontinent would breathe free very soon. No power on earth can prevent that. The government Of India can if so chooses minimize the loss of life and property and introduce the inevitable change in a peaceful manner.
He chastised the elected politicians of Canada for not speaking out in favour of Khalistan as the elected politicians of the United States like Dan Burton and Wally Herger and the Member of the British Parliament Terry Dicks had done. He found it despicable that the governments of Canada and the United Kingdom would barter away the rights of the Sikhs to seek some trade concessions from the government of India. He found it inexcusable that the Sikhs in Canada would put up with such elected representatives.
He demanded to know the truth behind Canadian Prime Ministers statement in Harare seeking to link developmental aid with Human Rights record of the receiving country. Every dollar that Canada gives to India ends up as a ballet or a bayonet directed at the Sikhs and other religious minorities in India
Gian Singh Sandhu highlighted that the government of Canada gave more than $93,000,000 of our money to the government of India during 1991 alone. The most criminal regime of India is the third largest recipient of Canadian grants why?
He also narrated the incident of Joe Clarke and other Canadian government and business leaders chasing the pipeline contract in India with extradition treaty” on a silver platter.
He also criticized the Canadian government policy of creating and courting professional ethnics These are the ethnic people the government needs for good photographic situations and rewards them with appointments and grants from the government.
He condemned the Canadian policy of giving grants to ethnic organizations for their own political purposes. He emphasized that WSO is an organization of the Sikhs and runs with the Sikhs support. WSO has never sought or received any funding from any government in Canada.
The first Amritdhari Sikh to join Canada’s Armed Forces . Lieu tenant Harjit Singh Sajjan of British Columbia Regiment of Armored Corps was presented a beautiful plaque on behalf of “Khalsa Diwan Society and World Sikh Organization (Canada). Sajjan handsomely attired in Canadian Armed Forces ceremonial uniform was accompanying the Commanding Officer of the battalion Lt. Col. Seymour and two other senior officers.
On the following day Sunday Dr Spellman Gian Singh Sandhu and other members of WSO (Canada) executive addressed a mammoth gathering of Sikhs at the historic Khalsa Diwan Society Gurdwaraat8000RossSteet Vancouver.
This convention organized by the BC Region of WSO (Canada) and hosted by Khalsa Diwan Society was a resounding success by any measure. The general air surrounding this fourth convention was very positive and upbeat. “There was a high degree of optimism and infectious high spirits.
Participation by a large number of Amritdhari Sikh youth was a living expression of indomitable spirit of the Sikhs and confidence. that Sikh values Sikh ideology Sikh way of life and Sikh institutions are in very safe and very able hands.
If this was the only message one brought back from this convention it was worth every expense incurred to put up this convention and more than ample reward for the efforts of Prem Singh Vining and his team from the B.C. Region of WSO (Canada) who organized this conventions.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 17, 1992
