Fremont: It may have rained on the parade but the weather didn’t dampen the spirits of the thousands Sikhs who came to support and participate in the annual Vaisakhi celebration on March 12. Sponsored by the Gurdwara in Fremont CA festivities began the day before with the advent of the Bhog of Akhand Path that concluded at 9 a.m. on Sunday. The recitations of Gurbani were given by Bhai Jagjit Singh head priest of the Fremont Gurdwara and Bhai Mohinder S.Sagar. They were assisted in the recitation of Gurbani and Shabad Kirtan by a visiting group of young Sikh girls from Louisiana.
The parade began at 11:30 a.m. with the Ardas led by Bhai Jagjit Singh and a dramatic shower of flowers dropped from above by helicopter. It was led by 5 Pairs (baptized Sikhs) who were dressed in traditional Sikh garb and were followed by flag bearers who carried the US and California flags as well as the religious flag of the Sikh people the “Kesri Nishan Sahib.”
One-could learn a great deal about Sikhs from observing the symbols represented on the colorful floats that were part of the parade. Leading off was the float with the Guru Granth Sahib (Holy Book) an elaborate representation of the Golden Temple followed. There were cars and floats from many Gurdwara including Stockton San Jose Selma Sikh School of Fremont and two which came especially from Louisiana for the celebration. Most were beautifully decorated and also featured photos of Sikh martyrs and slogans of Khalistan. Other organizations represented were Babbar Khalsa In’t Sikh Youth of America Sikh Youth Federation Cal State Fresno and the Panthic Committee all of which presented the idea that Sikhism stands for Khalsa.
Khalsa the birth of the warrior was commemorated by a group of young men who practiced the classical “warrior steps” Gatka an example of Sikh “martial arts” for the large and appreciative crowd. Spectators and participants were colorfully arrayed in saffron blue black and white turbans and dupattas and many of them were without umbrellas or shoes to show their humility and respect Shouts and chants of “Khalistan Zindabad” rang out echoing the commitment and willingness to sacrifice everything even their lives for the sake of freedom.
The day concluded with speeches from several honored and special guests. Bhai Jit S.Baniwal of Babbar Khalsa Int Dr.Gurmeet S.Aulakh Bhai Bajan S.Bhinder of S.Y.A. Bhai Satinder Pal Singh of the Panthic Committee and a special message from Bhai Daljit Singh member of Panthic Committee was read by Harminder S.Somana. His message of Vaisakhi congratulations concluded with an appeal to Sikhs to “unite under command of Akal Takhat Sahib.” The day ended with thanks from Jaswinder. Singh Jandi on behalf of all the participating Gurdwaras. Recognition for stage management of the Fremont event goes to Balbir Singh.
The Sikhs have spoken in the U.S. thousands turned out for Vaisakhi parades around the country. In the Punjab the silence speaks louder than words 90% of Sikhs boycotted the last election to protest to India that mass killings arrests of innocents like Justice Bains Gurbhajan Singh Gill Col. Partap Singh and thousands of others and of government condoned violations of human rights only adds fuel to the Sikh desire for Khalistan no other solution will be acceptable and no price is too great.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 24, 1992
