VANCOUVER: Hon. Svend Robinson member of parliament at two largely attended functions at local Gurdwaras Khalsa Diwan Society New Westminster B.C. and Guna Nanak Sikh Temple Surrey B.C. addressed the congregations on the human rights abuses occurring in the so-called democratic” country India.

The stage at this function was handled by Gen Sec. Wazir Singh Khalon who introduced I.S.F. Van Unit President Ranjit Singh Dosanjh who addressed the Hon M. on the current struggle for freedom of the Sikh Nation along with propaganda being spread about the freedom loving Sikhs struggling for their rightful claim for “Khalistan.” He went into detail in how the Indian Government is trying to defame the Khalistan is by saying they are killing innocent people. In welcoming Svend Robinson he told him he realizes it is a very difficult asks to assess the situation in India without hearing both sides of the story. The fact that the Sikh nation’s leadership is underground due to the threat on their lives made it almost impossible to talk with them. But there were many other groups they could have had private talks with although these groups do not represent the Sikh nation they would have been able to give a better picture of what the citizens of state organized terrorism are going through. Dosanjh also explained that I.S.Y.F is the only organization in Canada with access to that leadership more popularly known as the “Panthic Committee” and that the doors of I.S.Y.F are always open for any honest freedom loving person. He urged him to work with I.S.Y.F in the future Justas he has in the past. Dosanjh Also asked him to clarify the controversy surrounding his visit to India.

The hon M.P. Robinson in his speech mostly emphasized the denial of human rights in India and how the citizens of that state are being violated.

He also touched the subject of how Canada and India cannot call themselves democratic countries as long as the people responsible for the deaths of thousands of Sikhs in 1984 when the Indian Government attacked the Holy Sikh shrines are not brought to justice “The Sikh nation has been be rayed and I understand how you must feel.”

He also spoke briefly on a story printed in the newspapers on how Japan airlines have been discriminating against Indo Canadians traveling from Delhi.” He said that no discrimination of that sort will be tolerated and that if this is their attitude they should not be allowed to land here.”

On his visit to India he explained that he did not make any statements which were printed in the newspapers. He said rather statements were made by the other two MPs without him present. The other two MP.s being a part of other parties not associated with the NDP should be held accountable for their own remarks.

On the topic of India he said Canada should take a stand on this issue. “Prime Minister Brian Malhrooney should put his money where his mouth is and help put a stop to the pain and suffering the Sikhs are going through in Indi.” Victims and their families are forced to live in poverty and in Constant fear with absolutely no compensation from the Government.

He went onto say that the Indian Government should have unconditional talks with the Sikh Leadership to solve the problem in India and if that takes international mediation so be it.” But at the same time police and government officials should be brought to trial for the crimes they have committed against the citizens of India.

In closing his speech he thanked the Sikh community and I.S.Y.F. for inviting him and giving him a chance to set the record straight. He only wished he had more time to speak to the P.H.R.O. organizations and various other groups in India.

After his speech a very distinguished and prominent member of I.S.Y.F. Davinder Singh Ghatoura thanked him for sharing his trip to India with the congregation Bhai Davinder Singh also explained in detail the political aspirations of the Sikh nation. He went on to say that “living in Canada we respect the Canadian laws but the Canadian government being a part of the United Nations has a duty to fulfill. Their duty to assure and promote global peace applies to the Sikhs in India ” He went on to say “Our families and nation is being butchered and the free world is silently sitting by while innocent people are being tortured and killed.”

Afterwards the hon M.P. and members of I.S.Y.F took the scene to Surrey at the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple where Bhai Amrit Singh Rai Gen Sec. introduced Robinson to the congregation. Bhai Amrit Singh asked the M.P about his recent trip as well as the story surrounding the death of Bibi Amamdeep Kaur who was killed by the police.

Robinson spoke for over 45 mins. Repeating his speech which was made at the previous function. He gave his solemn word that he will help the Sikh nation in their hour of need the best way possible. At the same time he welcomed any input the Sikh community and I.S.Y.F could give him to assist in speaking out against human rights violations occurring in India. He also expressed how he wished all the newspapers would print his side of the story the way it is. “I know how your community must be felling with your families back home and in constant fear of their welfare.” He said he will be raising this issue at the proper level of the government

After his speech Bhai Amarjit Singh Rai welcomed Robinson to the temple any time and told him we will be looking forward to dealing with him in the future. He also on behalf of I.S.Y.F. welcomed the hon .M.P. to the seventh annual convention of I.S.Y.F. Canada which will be held in Edmonton

I.S.Y.F. (Canada) Sub Unit Vancouver would like to thank everyone who arrange the visit of Robinson Special thanks goes out to Parmiit Singh Randawa Kirpal Singh Garcha Davinder Singh Ghatura and Satnam Singh Johal.

I.S.Y.F. commends all four of these individuals who are whole heartedly working for the Panth.

Article extracted from this publication >> April 17, 1992