By Irvinderpal Singh Babra/ Sikh Press
AMRITSAR: The plans for the Global Sikh Meet are underway at ‘Sri Harimander Sahib, Amritsar which is now confirmed on February 2123, 1995. Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee and Akal Takht, the apex representative religious organizations of Sikhs in the world, are fervently engaged in reframing a ‘Special program and agenda to include all concerns of Sikhs in the world. The president, Gurcharan ‘Singh Tohra, has termed it as “the first of its kind in 500 years of Sikh history, which has on its agenda the multiple challenges and threats to the Sikh identity, scriptures, doctrines and history et, al.”
The Meet was scheduled’ last Month but postponed due to the SGPG elections in which Tohra won for the 21st time. He was first elected in 1973) and has held the post since then except for two brief periods. Tohra, along with the Akal ‘Takht Jathedar Professor Manjit Singh, are now fully concentrating on the success of the Global Sikh Meet. He had earlier said, “The Khalsa Panth ever since its creation in 1699 AD has been face to face with many nefarious attempts by religious fanatics at distorting its image and the doctrines permeating it. The governments at different points of time in history have played havoc with the sentiments of Sikhs and gone so far as to desecrate their sanctum sanctorum Sri Harimander Sahib and destroy their precious heirlooms, rare documents throwing flood of light ‘on the origin and development of Sikhism, as well as on the glorious role Sikhs have played in history, both of India and’ world civilization.”
On the other hand, the Global Sikh Meet in high on alert of the Rao Beant Singh governments in India for the new conflicts and challenges it may create. Some of them are as follows: 1.The legacy of abuses in Punjab, including the human rights violations by government forces, extrajudicial executions, disappearances, kidnappings, tortures and decade long insurgency; 2, Violations of humanitarian law by militants.
- Whether to allow Sikhs within India and abroad and give them not only visas but also the security during the Meet; 4, .Whether to intervene or ignore the international Sikh religious meeting and allow Sikhs to discuss their issues freely, including Khalistan; India is strongly urged to allow a motion on Khalistan, like the Canadian Government’s policy on Quebec their separatist movement);
- What if the SGPC passes a resolution on Khalistan and confirm separation from India?
6.India may sabotage the Global ‘Sikh Meet for the internal security reasons: ‘7.India’s apparent success against Sikh separatists due to a corrupt and brutalized police force will be exposed as it is sanctioned for combatting political violence; 8.Widespread media coverage and publicity will provide old wounds to be reopened for international scrutiny and investigation; 9.India is wary on the question of Chandigarh’s return to Punjab as its sole capital and appreciate sharing with Haryana state;
- The Meet may urge India to disband Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA) and revive ‘a separatist movement again; Sikhs may attend and participate vigorously and will look forward to the new, renewed agenda shortly. It is not clear whether the two hosts, SGPC and Akal Takht, may restrict the scope of global Sikh meeting by not including Khalistan issue and just follow the orders from New Delhi. India is deeply watchful about the happenings in Amritsar and simply waiting for the contents, text and verse of the Golden Sikh Meet. It’s a secret so far but cannot remain for a longer time.
‘According to the earlier reports, Dr, Jaswant Singh Neki, and an eminent Indian Sikh and in charge of Punjab Affairs based in New Delhi, has been removed to chair the Meet.
For the Sikhs living outside Punjab in India and foreign countries, the Meet can be an opportunity to match their value systems of freer environments, ethos and beliefs with the fellow Sikhs in Punjab and compare how they are affected in a decade, India must welcome Sikhs, regardless of their motives on Khalistan, and promote the Global Sikh Meet for the best of pilgrimage and tourism interests. It’s time for the Indian government to gain better credibility on the human rights record and become sympathetic to Sikhs and their sentiments in a post. Independence history. Meanwhile, the Sikhs must contact the SGPC and Akal Takht and get an update on the Global Sikh Meet now. Keep the plane ticket and baggage ready also, as just over two are months left for the flight to Amritsar. If a number of Khalistanis and their family members can visit Punjab freely on business or family unions, before the Global Sikh Meet and more precisely between the last dreadful 10 years against Sikhs, then it goes to confirm that India faces no threat from Sikhs anywhere.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 9, 1994
