TORONTO: Ranjit Singh Gill and Sukhminder Singh Sandhu, two valiant freedom fighters are lodged in a New York Jail. At the behest of the Indian Government they face extradition to India. Their innocence freedom is championed by Human Rights advocates here and abroad.
In honor of their cause, Dec.12, saw Gurdwaras near and far and Sikh Sangats throughout North America, dedicating the services that day to them. The whole day, programs were organized in Toronto.
Among the events, Students of Humber College’s Punjabi cultural Society, arranged a seminar on Ranjit and Sukhminder, Where Mary B.Pike, their attorney updated about 200 concerned Sikhs about their case. After her presentation, a lively question and answer session followed. The audience at the seminar showed great appreciation for the efforts of students who arranged the informative seminar. During the day, Ontario Khalsa Darbar at Dixie Road was the center of activities. Earlier the Bhog ceremony of Akhand Path held for the benefit of Ranjit and Sukhminder took place. After this, for four hours, the main hall witnessed several thousand Sikhs participating in a program where speaker after speaker paid rich tributes to both the freedom fighters. Every speaker emphasized the contribution and dedication of Sukhminder Singh Sandhu and Ranjit Singh Gill to the Sikh cause and the need to defend them and prevent their extradition at all costs. The keynote speaker was Mary B.Pike, attorney for Ranjit Singh Gill and Sukhminder Singh Sandhu. She told about the plight of her clients and the fabricated Cases against them by the Indian Government, The Sangat was shocked to learn the truth about the case first hand from Mary B.Pike.
Gurbux Singh Mathi and Collean Beaumier, both members of Parliament also addressed the Sikh Sangat and expressed their concern for Ranjit and Sukhminder Singh. Mrs.Beaumier also read the message from the deputy Prime Minister (Sheila Copp.) of Canada and of her concern for human rights violations in India and other places. $.Gurcharan Singh Dhillon, Gurinder Singh Grewal, Editor in chief of World Sikh News from California and Jagjit Singh Mangat from New York also addressed the sangat. S, Didar Singh Bains was also to attend but because of personal reasons, had to cancel his Tripat the last moment. Many Sikh Organizations attended the ceremony. Bhai Gurmukh Singh, Bhai Udam Singh and Nidhark’s Jathas also contributed some he role poetry of Sikhs (Vars). Sukhminder Singh Hansra (Billu Hansra) read his poem of Sikh freedom fighters and dedicated it to Ranjit Singh Gill and Sukhminder Singh Sandhu. S.Sawaran Singh Kairon was the stage secretary for the occasion and S.Harbhajan Singh Panderi former president thanked all attending and the guest speakers. The management of Ontario Khalsa Darbar was congratulated for their efforts in arranging the grand function and making it a success. In the evening, Mary B.Pike also held a meeting with the members of Parliament and informed them about the plight of Ranjit Singh Gill and Sukhminder Singh Sandhu.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 17, 1993
