SACRAMENTO: Eight years have passed in sorrow for the innocent victims of India’s infamous “Operation Blue Star.” Since then, the attempted genocide of Sikhs continues unabated but through their pain and suffering they have only increased in their desire for the Khalistan as the only acceptable option open to faithful Sikhs everywhere.
In the U.S., the Sikh community gathered to protest, March and rally for their Punjab brothers held in sway by the repressive Indian govt. Many major cities saw large crowds of Sikhs demonstrating in front of State buildings. In New York the protest took place in front of the UN headquarters, in Washington, DC the crowd gathered in Lafayette park, across from the White House and proceeded to the Indian Embassy, in Chicago and San Francisco, the groups appeared before the Indian Consulates,
Participants were fortunate to have committed and enthusiastic ersatz all of the rallies -chants of “Khalistan Zindabad” and shouts of” Khalistan Forever rang out throughout America on this symbolic weekend. Many speakers and dignitaries made presentations of Khalistan resolutions a part of the day. In New York a set of resolutions was given to the UN general secretary and in Seattle to the mayor.
In Sacramento more than 200people from the Central Valley and the Bay Area listened as W.S.O presidents Gurcharan Singh Dhillon Sikh Youth of America representatives Harminder Singh Samona Assemblyman Chris Chandler W.S.O. president elect Didar Singh Bains S.S.F. Fresno spokesperson Parminder Singh and others including Daljit Singh Dr. Ajitpal Singh Bhai Davinder Singh S. Balbir Singh Dr. Pritpal Singh S. Bakshish Singh S. Harpal Singh S. Tara Singh Ball Dr. Gurinder Singh Grewal Bhai Balwinder Singh Babbar Bhai Jit Singh Baniwal and Bibi Joginder Kaur. Ms. Amendeep Kaur of U.C. Berkley spoke of no other solution to the Punjab problem but the creation of Khalistan. She spoke of the ill-treatment of L.N.S. prisoners at the Santa Rita and L.A. prisons and the fact that these were political refugees due a fair hearing. Yuba City Assemblyman Chris Chandler spoke of the rightful homeland of the Sikhs saying repeatedly that Khalistan was the only acceptable option for Sikhs Proclaiming his respect and affection he deplored the Sikhs ill treatment in India.
Mr. Michael Kilbane of Governor Pete Wilsons office accepted a booklet; Sikh Holocaust in India and a set of the resolutions prepared for the governor. The set of resolutions included requests for the governor to: Express concern at the violation of Sikhs human rights.
-Ask the Indian Govt to remove military and paramilitary from Punjab
-Ask the State Dept. to release Bhai Ranjit Singh Gill and Bhat Sukminder Singh Sandhu
-Ask the State dept. to grant refugee status to persecuted Sikhs -Support the freedom movement of the Sikhs.
The rain falling in New York didn’t deter a group from coming to the U.N. headquarters. Women and children joined in chants for Khalistan and saffron turbans were everywhere. New Yorkers too had a set of auspicious speakers including; Bhai Satinder Pal Singh member of Panthic Committee Dr.Amarjit Singh Khalistan Affairs Center; Dr.Rajwant Singh of P.H.R.O. Dr. Gurmeet Singh Aulakh S.Harbajan Singh Gill S.Kabal Singh S.Gurinder Singh SJaspal Singh and S.Sayjivan Singh Khalsa.
Chicago and Houston were not less blessed. Large crowds gathered to show their respect for the Sikh Martyrs and to listen as speakers proclaimed the right of Khalistan and condemned the government of India for its repression and failure to protect Sikhs from human rights abuses by the police and military.
It is fortunate that in America Sikhs may gather to demonstrate for the rights and protest against the abuses of fellow Sikhs suffering in India.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 19, 1992