LOS ANGELES, CA: An International Sikh Martyrdom conference and Kayi Darbar (poetical recitation) was held at Gurdwara Sahib Lankeijhim, Los Angeleson April 9-10.19 54, This conference was SNA 881 with the Cooperation of Sikh Singat, Gurdwara management committee of Lankershim Gurdwara, and Babbar Khalsa International.
The conference stared with a Ravi Darbar. About 10 poets took Part in the Kavi Darbar on April 9. The poets included Sewa Singh Lalli, president Republic of Khalistan in exile), Devinder Singh Babbar, Jagir Singh Mast, Bachiter Singh Birowalia, Gursimran Kaur (6th grader), Jasbir Singh (of England), Lachhiman Singh, Bachiter Singh of Livingston, Sarwan Singh Chief And several more. The Kavi Darbar Started with the Shabad Kinan (hymnsinging) from Guru Granth Sahib which was performed by the ragi jatha of the Gurdwara. Bachiter Singh of Livingston was the stage secretary, who himself is a poet of very high calibre. Bhai Sewa Singh sang Guru Gobind Singh’s shabad, “Deh Shiva Var Moh(i) Ehai,.” and his own poem. Jasbir Singh sang a beautiful poem by Martyr Fuaja Singh. The Kavi Darbar was extremely successful. The Kavi Darbar lasted almost three hours.
On the conference day many Sikh leaders and statesmen expressed their views on the current situation in Punjab. Notable among them were Sewa Singh Lalli, President Republic of Khalistan (in ex- ile), Ganga Singh Dhillon, Devinder Singh Babbar, and Jaspal Singh Babber of New York. Sewa Singh Lalli said that the present Sikh strugele for Khalistan will take a new tum in the future. He said that the so-called militants became freedom fighters only after they were tortured by the police for no reason. He called upon the Sikh masses and leadership to unite and fight the Indian police regime.
Jaspal Singh Babbar gave a very impressive speech and shed light on the present Sikh struggle. He said that the Sikhs did not sign the Indian constitution; it was simply forced upon the Sikhs. He mentioned that late Sardar Kapur Singh, a noted Sikh scholar and philosopher, predicted in the early 1970s that it is very likely that the Sikhs will be greatly humiliated by the Indian majority community in the streets of Delhi which proved to be true. He said that General Shabeg Singh, who had made a great continuation to India in the Bangla Desh war, was forcibly retired; In addition, false charges of corruption were leveled against him.
Devinder Singh Babbar, Chief Organizer, Babbar Khalsa International (USA) welcomed the Sangat and spoke on the spiritual side of the Sikh struggle. He emphasized the need of spirituality and discipline among the Sikh freedom fighters.
Singh Babbar, Chief, Babbar Khalsa International (USA) thanked the sangat, the Gurdwara management committee for inviting Babbar Khalsa International. He promised that Babbar Khalsa International will be glad to hold future conferences and other religious programs.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 22, 1994
