Baisakhi Celebrations By Guru Gobind Singh Foundation. Washington D.C. U.S.A.
On Sunday April 13, Washington area Sikhs gathered at Viers Mill Park to celebrate Baisakhi. The program, organized by Guru Gobind Singh Foundation included Kiran and main Kirtan was performed by Ragi Jatha of Bhai Joginder Singh and Bibi Amarjit Kaur.
Sardar Pritam Singh Bindra, of New York, a prominent Sikh, who has played a very active role in voicing Sikh concerns in U.S. Since the attack at the Golden Temple spoke on the significance of Baisakhi day. In his speech, he also pointed out that the voicing Sikh concerns in this country. He said that the Sikhs had major responsibilities of (1) countering media campaign that label Sikhs as “terrorists” and “extremists”; (2) calling on non-Sikh friends to help Sikhs in this effort; and (3) working in a manner that would ensure the protection of human and civil rights of Sikhs in the U.S. As wells in other parts of the world.
In addition, G.G.S.F. Was honored by the presence of Congressman Robert K.Doman of California, who addressed the congregation. Sardar Rajwant Singh, asst. secretary of G.G.S.F. said that the invitation to Cong. Doman was a step in bringing the Sikh Community into the mainstream of the American Society by informing members of the political and social system and the academic world about the values of the Sikh religion and the important contribution that a relatively small Sikh community in the U.S. is making toward the wellbeing of the U.S. Society as a whole.
Congressman Robert Doman showed great appreciation for the good values associated with the Sikh religion. The congressman stated that in addition to being a visitor to the Golden Temple 20 years ago, his association with the Sikh community involved frequent interaction with the Sikh mothers of the Indian armed forces:
Mr. Dornan further stated that the Sikh community which played a vital role in India’s independence movement and subsequent conflicts involving the defense of India’s borders is being unfairly branded as irresponsible and destructive group by the media. In this context, he referred to the Jallianwallah Bagh massacre in which most of the victims were Sikhs. He urged the Sikh community in the U.S. To take a cue from the American and Jewish communities in protecting themselves against defamation by groups hostile to the Sikh community. He said, “Don’t let the faith and religion you revere be slandered and smeared by being branded as “terrorists”
Mr. Robert Hahn, chairman of The Concept Group (a public relations form) and an advisor to the Sikh Association of America, also spoke to the Sangat. He stressed the need for responsible Sikh Organizations in this country to counter the malicious campaign to portray Sikhs as a group of terrorists through the written media. He referred to the recent article in the Penthouse magazine as an example of irresponsible journalism aimed at labeling Sikhs as an undesirable and dangerous group in the US. Both the Congressman and Mr.Hahn offered their guidance and support to Sikh community in the US. in countering attempts by vested interests to portray Sikhs as terrorists, In a special announcement, Sardar Joginder Singh Bhutani, chairman of G.G.S.F. Stated that the foundation had acquired two acres. of land in the Potomac section of metropolitan Washington, which is the site of the new Gurdwara in the near future. S. Rajwant Singh in his fundraising campaign pointed to the constraints placed on the organization due lack of facilities. He emphasized the need and potential for tremendous work, put stressed that it could only be accomplished with a proper base center.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 30, 1986
