SILVER SPRINGS, MD: Sikb institutions of the Washington metropolitan area jointly honored Congressman Wally Herger and DS. Gill Secretary of Punjab Human Rights Organization, the two champions of Human Rights at a function on October 28.
Addressing the gathering Congressman Herger said “a true democratic nation guarantees the basic human rights to all its citizens, at we have seen this is not so in India. believe that it is now the time that we take a tough stand on the issue.
The Congressman said that the had 15,000 Sikh constituents and “Jam glad that my prominent constituent Didar Singh Bains is with us today.” He referred to the sense of the Congress amendment which was unanimously passed in 1987 asking the Indian government to devote more attention to the human rights of its citizens, “but they ignored it, human right abuses continue to occur and in
April 417 year old girl was raped in police custody and none of the perpetrators were punished for the crime.” The Congressman also referred to the government sponsored gangs of killers in Punjab and the other reports of human rights abuses by the government machinery in Punjab as well as India’s military ties with the Soviet Union.
The Congressman particularly singled out his colleagues Congressman Dan Burton, Congress man Jim Walsh, Congressman Norman D Shumway, and Congressman Vic Fazio for their help during the introduction of the Herger amendment to the Foreign Aid Bill which sought to cut aid to India till it allowed Amnesty International to investigate cases of human rights violations on Pun jab, punished police officials guilty of crimes against women in Pun Jab, and lifted the economic block ade of Nepal. The amendment was narrowly defeated by a vote of 212 against, 214 for and 16 abstentions, largely due to Congressman Solarz’s intense lobbying for India.
Congressmen Wally Herger commended the widespread community efforts to acquaint their Representatives with the situation in Punjab. “Public involvement does help,” he said. He also revealed that there were 41 cosponsors to the Bill HR 1607. “The Indian community is very well organized in funding those they seek to influence. All of us who have worked with you will need your help, he added.
Rajwant Singh of the Guru Gobind Singh Foundation said “If we take a poll in Punjab of the most popular Sikh leader it will be ‘Wally Herger.”
Addressing the congregation, D S Gill said “The constitution by Swearing to which the Indian prime minister and president assume office was not signed by the Sikh representatives and has not been applied to the Punjab.
He referred to the Punjabi Suba struggle, the Bhakhra Dam, the River water dispute, and other continuing injustices on the people of Punjab. The present struggle in Punjab started with the Dharam Yudh in 1982 and there have been many incidents of state terrorism in the state including, the bumming of Guru Granth Sahib and Police firing in Nakodar, the firing on protesters the against the Satluj Jamuna Canal and numerous instances of extra judicial killings, disappearances and torture by the security forces,
Gill also spoke about the Operation Humiliation in which Sikh women are harassed, humiliated and even raped and killed by security forces.
Earlier, introducing the Congress man, Dr. Gurmeet Singh Aulakh of the council of Khalistan said, Congressman Wally Herger is known as the man who can handle large responsibilities.
Historically, Punjab is not a part of India…freedom for the Sikh nation is nonnegotiable.” He said Congressman Wally Herger and Congressman Dan Burton Had taken up the Sikh cause even when it was not popular.
Didar Singh Bains thanked the Congressman and said that he had known him as a person who took up tough causes if he believed in them. “You have just seen a bit of what Wally Herger can do, he will do much more,” he added.
Bibi Harbaksh Kaur Kahlon of San Francisco, in her address to the congregation said that the insecure dynastic government in India felt that it could only rule India by finding scapegoats. Sikhs are facing a propaganda barrage, and the media has done an impressive job of misinformation, she added.
The function’s organization and ‘success evoked a positive response from the community.
Charanjit Singh Aulakh of the Guru Nanak Foundation of America said the purpose of the function was to bring more awareness in the Sikh community and to motivate them for community projects.”
Rajinder Singh Bajwa said that it was heartening to see the community coming together on impor tant issues.
Sirmukh Singh Manku said that the Congressman had taken impressive steps in highlighting the human rights violations against the Sikhs, “he should be honored.”
Article extracted from this publication >> November 3, 1989
