WSN STAFF REPORT
BAKERSFIELD CA: The day began with the Bhog of Guru Granth Sahibs ceremony and recitation of kiran by Ragi jatha of Bhai Jaipal Singh a Bhujangi Rajinder Singh Katha by Bhai Kulwant Singh and the Granthi (Head priest) of Bakersfield Gurdwara Sahib gave the lesson from the scriptures while the Sangat listened intently.
Dr. Gursharan Singh Saini welcomed the speakers and Sadh Sangat with a small poem.
The Shaheedi Samagham (a homage to the martyrs) was held at the Bakersfield Gurdwara 1925 Plan’z Rd on Sunday May 17 The congregation filled the hall where Speakers from many Sikh organizations came to proclaim Khalistan. Members and spokesman from Sikh Youth of America Babbar Khalsa International. World Sikh Organization Sikh Student Federation and Khalistan Affairs Center were listened to while Jaikaras of Khalistan Zindabad Bole So Nihal and Sat Sri Akal arose from the congregation.
The convention started with the poem of Bhai Gurjant Singh secretary of Sikh Students Fresno. All of the speakers appealed to the audience to give their support to the militants who are fighting for Khalistan in Punjab that should be the first priority of Sikhs everywhere. There were also appeals to make a show of strength and support by joining in the protest that will be held on June 4 in front of the capital building in Sacramento.
A salute was given to the Nishon Sahiband the Sangat was informed that this symbol (flag of Khalsa) and portrait of Amar Shahid Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale is now displayed in the main hall of the library at Cal. State Fresno. Ironically it is next to the flag of India. This is a big step in the recognition of Khalistan and it brings the argument into the intellectual corridors of the university where ideas for change often form.
Speaking at the convention Bhai Bhajan Singh Bhinder of Sikh Youth of America said” everyone deserves to live free and independent if they wish but Sikhs are not free in India.” He spoke of the polices part in the brutal deaths of at least 150000 and said that these numbers come from Govt sources When Khalistan is established the actual numbers may be many lakhs.
“The question is not of river waters and religion but of the sovereignty and independence of Sikhs” he said.
“There are many agencies and individuals who are attempting to sabotage the movement. They are sent by the Govt of India we must be aware of them. They present themselves as Sikh but they only take money away from groups that truly need it.”
He appealed to all to be aware of this and recognize their own responsibility towards Khalistan.
Bhai Devinder Singh of Babbar Khalsa Int. gave the background of the spirit of martyrdom in the Sikh nation. He said that*we need to feel the pain of those in the Punjab it is our pain too. We should be fearless as they are that is the spirit of the martyrs.”
He warned about being misled by Govt spokesmen just as in 1947 He gave the progress of the B.K.I and its warning to Punjab University to teach in Punjabi. And he said that Sikhs are not even represented at their own University 95% of the professors are Brahmin (Hindu) 4% are Sikh and 1% are Dalit. “We must support the militants who truly represent us.”
Dr. Amarjit Singh spokesman of Panthak committee and of the Khalistan Affairs Center paid homage to the martyrs and said “India has declared total war (genocide) against Sikhs. Militants have been sacrificing for the last eight years and so many have died for this cause if you don’t know by now what has been happening these two hours won’t do much.”
Honoring Sant Jarnail S. Bhindrawale as the Saint warrior of this century he said that the formation of Khalistan is according to Sikh principles.
He spoke of the Panthak Committee whose members put out the call for Khalistan. The collective leadership started on 4/29/86 with the call for independence has continued to say that nothing less than Khalistan is acceptable.
He said “don’t be frustrated or confused by Sikhs who serve India just is aware of them”
Be aware of where the resources are going to support the legal costs of Bhai Ranjit Singh Gill and Bhai Sukhminder Singh Sandhu jailed in New York and others in foreign jails but funds are always short.
He mentioned “W.S.N.” and “Charhdi Kala” (a Punjabi paper published in Vancouver) and appealed for their support since they operate at a loss and need the Sangats help.
He quoted John Kennedys famous “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.” And said there are lots of suggestions but little action
“Let us focus on Khalistan”.
Gurcharan Singh Dhillon president World Sikh Organization said that “we must recognize the need of the times. No organization is above those militants in Punjab that need our support”.
“They are the base of Khalistan and we are the arms we need to unite and collectively make the base stronger”.
He suggested that there should be a committee made up of one representative of each organization who could be responsible for collecting and distributing monies for Khalistan. He assured the audience that the W.S.O. office (Intl. Sikh Sect. Bld) in Washington DC could be used for any purpose on behalf of Khalistan.
He added his voice to the appeal for attending the protest June 4 and said that this was a new approach marching on the capital rather than the Indian consulate in San Francisco
He also commented about the Kabbadi news that was published in Canada. He said “Kabbadi is the Punjab’s national sport and we love it. If the team from Punjab was made up of Sikh boys high school and college players and not police representatives and the escort not Balbir Singh elected from Jalandher to the Raj Sabha. I could support them but the line was drawn they are the enemy and we will oppose them.”
Bhai Jit Singh Baniwal of the BKI congratulated the Sikh Student Federation and Sangat of Bakersfield who arranged the convention and said that the focus should remain on not being misled by ingrates who purport to represent the Sikhs. He urged all to become baptized and to attend the protest march on June 4.
He also gave notice of the International conference to be held on June 21 at the Gurdwara of San Jose. He said it would be very worthwhile as many speakers would be coming from abroad Lakhbir S.Chima president of W.S.N paid homage to the martyrs and made an appeal to form a development committee in every city for the support of “WSN”.
Bhai Sarbjot Singh read the resolutions of Khalistan and they were passed unanimously. Bhai Kaldip Singh and Bhai Balwinder Singh of the S.Y.A. read poems and a teenager Mahipal Singh appealed for support of Khalistan.
Thank you for the successful convention goe to Sikh Student Federation Federation of Fresno and the management and sangat of Bakers field Gurdwara. All of the organizations participating were honored with Siropa and a portion of the donated funds The B.K.I. & W.S.O. as well as the young men who recited the Kirtan donated their portion to the Sikh Defense fund specifically for Gill and Sandhu in New York.
Thanks to Parminder S.Dhillon of S.S.F. for stage management and to Jarnal Singh for helping make the event a success.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 29, 1992
