FAIRFAX STATION,VA: Babbar Khalsa international held a martyrdom Conference to pay homage to Jathedar Sukhdev Singh Babbar and other Sikh martyrs. This conference was attended by approximately 700 people. Babbar Khalsa International delegates arrived from different parts of the country. Some of them had arrived from as far as England, Germany, France and ‘Canada at this beautiful, gold domed, two story Gurdwara which is surrounded by lush green trees, The ‘Gurdwara remained full until 3 pm in Spite of hot and humid weather. Discussion on Sikhs After the Bhog ‘of Akhandpaith, the Head Granthi of Gurdwara Sahib performed Asa di var Kirtan in the early hours of the morning. Just before the conference, the Sikh leaders and delegates had ameeting intheLangar Hall for about an hour where they discussed various Sikh issues including the Akali politics in Punjab and coming elections in Punjab. About 3540 delegates participated in and is cussion. The issue ofS. Simranjit Singh Mann was also discussed. The primary issue was how the Sikhs should Contest the next elections in Punjab.

Similar discussions also took place on the eve of the conference.

Conference Highlights The conference started at about 11:15 am. What set this conference apart from other such conferences was that representatives of many other Sikh organizations. participated in this great event. Some of these organizations included World Sikh Organization, Gunu Gobind Singh Foundation, Sikh Youth of America, Nanakama Sahib Foundation.

  1. Balwant Singh Sahi (stage secretary), welcomed the Sikh organizations and Sangat, The first speaker was S\ Balbir Singh Nijjar of Canada who talked about the meaning and importance of manyrdom in Sikhism, He also discussed the Halemi Raj (Khalistan). S. Jaspal Singh (Babbar Khalsa Int, representative from New York) stressed that we need to evaluate the Sikh struggle for independence. He urged the Sikhs to be aware of the Sikh Teaders who were responsible for the bloodshed of the Sikhs in Punjab. He was referring to the Akali leadership in Punjab, Bhai Surinder Singh Bedi sang a Shabad, Two young girls paid their tribute to the Sikh manyrs by singing heroic poems that were greasily applauded by the Sangat.

S, Ganga Singh Dhillon also spoke for about 15 minutes, He said that the martyrs belong to the entire Sikh Nation regardless of their association with a particular Sikh organization. He said that the Jathedar of Akal Takht Sahib should be independent of political pres ae Dhadi Jatha of Bhai Sarbjit singh sang heroic poems,  Bhai Davinder Singh Babbar, Chief anizer, Babbar Khalsa international (USA office) presented a very impressive slide show titled, “Raj Karega Khalsa.” In this slide presentation he Provided a capsule summary of the Sikh Nation and its religious and political status throughout the history. ‘The congregation paid close attention as he emphasized the concept of Miri and Piri in Sikhism, He said that the Sikh Rule was bestowed upon the Sikhs by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, He said that almost half the Sikh Nation was wiped Out in a single day during the Large Sikh Holocaust in 1762, but the Sikh were never disheartened. Eventually they established 12 independent Sikh Kingdoms and later a major Sikh empire under the rule of Maharaj Ranjit Singh that stretched all the way from Jammu and Kashmir to Afghanistan ‘A message from Jathedar Wadhawa Singh Babbar:Bhai Sukhminder Singh Babbar read the message sent by Jathedar Wadhawa Singh Babbar, Chief, Babbar Khalsa International from the battlefield in Punjab (Khalistan), Jathedar Wadhawa Singh Babbar urged the Sikh Sangat to continue the struggle for Khalistan with eyen more vigor. He thanked all those who are fighting for this noble cause. He said that Babbar Khalsa International is committed to Khalistan,

Bhai Pala Singh Babbar also spoke on the topic of Khalistan. He said the Khalsa Rule will be so good that other neighboring nations will ask to be pan of Khalistan, He said that Babbar Khalsais 100% committed this cause, Dr. Rajwant Singh (of Guru Gobind Singh Foundation) sanga Shabad and Spoke for about 10 minutes. He said that the most Sikh organizations waste their energies in fighting amongst themselves which needs to be changed. He mentioned that chopping off hair has become a fashion amongst the Sikh youth in Punjab. He also touched upon he environmental problems faced by Punjab, He said that education of our youth is very important.

S, Sajjan Singh Bhangoo (of Washington, D.C.) represented World Sikh Organization. He said that WSO does not believe in criticizing other political parties, He said that we need to get rid Of personal ego and follow the path of the Guru, Bhai Balbir Singh also delivered a very impressive speech with reference to martyrdom in Sikhism. Bhai Didar Singh discussed various Sikh issues and appealed to the Sangat to get united. Bhai Narinder Singh, representative of Sikh Youth of America, mentioned that after the large massacre of the Sikhs in 1762, lie Sikh chief S. Charat Singh suggested that various Sikh armies should fight under their separate banners, but S, Jassa Singh Ramgarhia suggested that it is not time to get divided; it was the time to get united. He emphasized the need to get united, He said that hair of four Sikh truck drivers in the state of Orissa in India were recently shom by the Hindu mobs simply because they had a copy of Sikh scriptures in their vehicles, When they went to the police to file a report, they were told to file a petition in One, Bhai Jit Singh Bainiwal, Chief Babbar Khalsa’ International USA) thanked all the speakers and the congregation for their support. He said the Sikh army campaign was led by Baghel Singh Bhangi against the ruler of Delhi in the later part of 18th century, Bhaghel Singh unfurled/a Sikh flag on the Red Fort in Delhi. After conquering Delhi with the help of several Sikh chiefs, he appointed Jassa Singh Ahluwalia to be the chief of the Sikh state who was a ‘widely respected man among the Sikhs. He stressed that the Sikhs need that type of cooperation and thinking today. A new unit of Babbar Khalsa established in Virginia Babbar Khalsa also established a new unit in Virginia and appointed four cooperating members. This unit will ‘work under the direction of the East coast office of Babbar Khalsa International, USA.

Article extracted from this publication >>  August 25, 1995