NEW YORK, N.Y.: Functions were held here on Sunday June 11 at Gurdwaras here to commemorate the Martyrdom Gurpurb of Guru Arjun Dey Ji.
Addressing the congregation at the Sikh Cultural society in Richmond Hill, Dr. Gurcharan Singh, Chairman Department of International Studies Marymount Manhattan College said, “The Sikhs have never fought against anybody but have always fought for righteousness.” Recounting the fact that the Sikh states of Patiala, Nabha, Faridkot, Kalsia and Jind were together the size of Switzer~ land, he said that, “they had joined India in good faith without a shot being fired.” But their trust was betrayed and the promises made to them were not kept, he said.
People outside the Punjab are drunk in their pursuit of dollars and are forgetting Punjab,” he
Added Dr. Singh also said that if a third rate pilot of a third rate airline can govern India, Sikhs should not doubt the capacities, capabilities of their brethren to govern their free country.
Jagjit S. Mangat the president of Sikh Cultural Society told the W.S.N “We commemorate the Shahidi Gurpurb of Guru Arjen Devgi, we are also commemorating all the Martyes who sacrificed their lives for all that our Gurus preached and practiced, especially the Martyres who stood the test during an attack on Golden Temple in 1984.
A large sangat had attended the Gurpurbd. The Gurdwara had organized a Chabil to serve cold milk and water to everyone.
The Gurpurb was also commemorated at the Singh Sabha of New York in Bowne Street in Queens here.
The Dhadi Jatha of Bhai Harbhajan Singh Baj and the Kirtani Jatha of Bhai Nand Singh recited the holy Shabads.
Speaking on the occasion, the president of the Gurdwara Swinder Singh Josan paid tributes to the martyrs. He said that the brutal. attack on the Golden Temple by the army in 1984 had laid the foundation of Khalistan.
The Sikhs had been a distinct religion since the times of Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh gave them their separate identity he added.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 16, 1989
