NEW YORK CITY: The 4th annual Sikh Parade in New York was organised by the Sikh Cultural Society on April 20-1991 to celebrate Vasakhi (Khalsa’s Birthday). Over 12000 Sikh men and women and children of all ages participated. They came from New Hampshire Massachusetts Connecticut New York New Jersey Pennsylvania Delaware Maryland Washington D.C. Virginia Georgia Kansas North Carolina Georgia and Illinois.

The parade started exactly at 1:00 p.m. from Broadway and 40th Street and ended at 3:00 p.m. in Union Square Park in Manhattan. At the head in a tastefully decorated vehicle was Guru Granth Sahib with Ragi Jathas reciting the Kirtan of “Ilahi Gurbani.” Followed by Guru Granth Sahib were Sikhs representing different Gurdwara’s and societies from the eastern seaboard. Most notably: Sikh Cultural Society New York MidHudson Sikh Cultural Society Fishkill New York Singh Sabha New York Sikh Forum Long Island. New England Sikh Study Circle Milford Masss Sikhs of Reading PA Singh Sabha Gien New Jersey Garden State Gurdwara of Bridge water New Jersey Central Jersey Sikh Association New Jersey and others.

It was a fascinating scene of saffron turbans and dupattas interspersed by blue black and white turbans and dupattas. Both sides of the streets were also lined by Sikhs with tiny tots in strollers. Sweets and fruits were freely distributed. To add vigor vitality and color to the parade were floats with Bhangra and giddha being performed. Sikh Youth of North America contingent raised Khalistan slogans including those eulogizing Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Bhindranwale with his portrait at the feet of Baba Deep Singh Ji. There were 8 floats in all.

After the parade there was a huge meeting with various speakers and Dhadi Jathas. Prominent among those who participated were Dr. Manohar Singh Grewal Ex-President W.S.O. U.S.A. Ron Kuby Defense Lawyer defending Ranjit Singh Gill and Sukhminder Singh Sandhu of Vaidaya murder case Satjiwan Singh Khalsa a prominent American Sikh lawyer Dr.Gurmit Singh Aulakh Dr. Gurcharan Singh and Congressman Floyd N.Flake from New York City. The congressman made a very brief yet emotional speech concerning the violation of Human Rights of the Sikhs in Punjab. He said this nation will not tolerate injustice and as a part of the New World order of President Bush they would see to it that no minority would be hurt.

The Sikh Cultural Society New York genuinely deserves appreciation for such an impressive and dignified presentation.

NEW DELHI: The Insaf Party announced the withdrawal of it’s of fer of a merger with the Janata Dal and said the negotiations with the party had been broken off.

The president of party Syed Sahabuddin said in a statement that despite protracted negotiations for over six weeks the offer of merger had not been accepted by the Janata Dal and no agreement had been finalized though the draft had been generally approved by the Dal president and even revised to some extent by some senior leaders.

In the meantime he said the National Front manifesto had been issued and was inadequate from the point of view of fulfilling the legitimate aspirations or safeguarding the interests of the minorities and other deprived sections.

Article extracted from this publication >> April 26, 1991