CHICAGO: On October 6,191 the Sangat (Sikh Community) of Chicago and the neighboring areas honored Sikh Martyrs by holding a special meeting. President S.Harbans Singh Sangha along with the cooperation of other Board Member spearheaded the arrangement of this program. During this congregation he Sangat approved the continuous support for the congressmen like Dan Burton, who always took the side of the truth.

On this prayer meeting Bhai Mohinder Singh gave tribute to the Sikh Martyrs by reciting the prayer of Martyrdom. Mr. A Sheikh, President of the Kashmir Association of North America, in his speech requested the Sangat to subscribe to the World Sikh News. Mr. Sheikh said, “Hindu Government of India is playing dirty tricks by attacking the Pakistani pilgrims in India and then blaming the freedom fighters for this mean act. It was your paper which told the truth to the world. Otherwise it could have hurt the good relation between Sikhs and Muslims. I am worried that Hindu Government may arrange another attack on Sikh pilgrims to Nankana Sahib, just to hurt our relations. Let us all support the Vatican status for Nankana Sahib on religious grounds. It is the right of the Sikhs”.

While introducing S. Amolak Singh (New Orleans),S. Surinder Pal Singh Kalra Director of Administration World Sikh Organization, U.S.A, appreciated the sacrifice made by Dr. Gurpartap Singh Birk on behalf of the Khalsa Panth.

While paying a tribute to the Sikh Martyrs, S. Amolak Singh quoted Elie Wiesel (the Nobel Peace Prize Winner for 1986), Heroes and Martyrs become the pride of their people by fighting with a weapon in their hand or a prayer on their lips. For a people that is, for a social, ethnic or religious group the problem and solution are both simple. When person loses its freedom, it has a right a duty, to employ every possible means to win it back. The truth is that even in climate of oppression, men are Capable of inventing their own freedom, What if they are a minority? It does not matter. Even if only one free individual is left, he is proof that the dictator is powerless against freedom. But a free man is never alone; the dictator is alone”.

S. Amolak Singh further briefly spoke of the deportation case of Dr. Birkat Oakdale, Louisiana, He told the Sangat that Dr. Biks research was helpful in designing a portable dialysis machine, which a patient can use even at his home and thus can save hospital bills. He said at the time of arrest Dr. Birk was a successful engineer earning $118,000 a year; He gave the message of Dr. Birk, which in summary is, “Sadh Sangat ji am grateful to you for your moral support during the years of serving my sentence. Your kind support can’t be explained in few lines. Please be aware of Government agents who are Sikhs and power hungry. Considering the kind of oppression the Sikhs have faced from the Government, in my opinion Khalistan is the only solution. The noble example of our Martyr Sant Jarail Singh Bhindranwale is in front of us. Remember that Sikh never hurts any innocent. Sikhs have always been fighting against the “oppressors”.

S. Amolak Singh thanked the financial support from the Sangat of New York for Dr. Birks case and for the $55,000 for the Gurdwara Sahib New Orleans Dedicated to the Memory of Sikh Martyrs). Dr. Birk while making 11 cents an hour from the prison sent $55. For the Gurdwara Sahib, Sangat was kind enough to add three zeroes to this amount!

Bibi Ajmer Kaur Gakhal read a poem in the memory of Sikh Martyrs. Each line of the poem was remarkable.

 Bhai Mohinder Singh made an appeal for the defense fund or Dr. Birk. Their response of the Sangat, as expected, was over whelming. Sangat of Chicago said, “In this struggle for justice, we all are with Dr. Birk. He can count on our moral and financial support as and when required.

Article extracted from this publication >> October 11, 1991