‘The devotees in such a large numbers gave impression of Anandpur Sahib Holla Mohalla. The school children wearing Kesari turbans and dupattas were very impressive.
‘The floats, which were very well decorated and organized, were of Kalghidhar 1st Satsang, Singh Students Association Chico (CSU), Gurdwara Gridley Live Oak, Sikh Youth of America, Gurdwara Sahib El Sobrante, Fremont, Sikh Society Seatle Sikh ‘Temple of Sacramento, Tierra Buena Gurdwara School, Gurdwara Sahib Modesto, ‘Sacramento Sikh Society, American Sikhs, Khalsa Diwan Society, Vancouver, Sikh ‘Temple Livingston, Gurdwara Sahib-Stockton, Sikh Sangat Los Angeles, Babbar Khalsa ‘International, Sikh Gurdwara San Jose, Solano College Sikh Student Association, Sikh ‘Students Federation CSU Fresno, Punjabi Cultural Society UC Davis, Gurdwara Bakersfield, Akhand Kirtani Jatha,
Every float was raising the slogans of Khalistan Zindabad and Bole So Nihal Sat Sri Akal.
Shane-E-Punjab music group sang songs praising Sikh warriors and their determination to get independence.
An eye catching float was that of Sikh Youth of America with pictures of killed Sikh martyrs on it
A new dimension was added to the procession when some Muslim youth joined the Sikhs and raised slogans like “Bole So Nihal Sat Sri Akal”, “Khalistan Zindabad” “Pakistan Zindabad” with Bhai Satinderpal Singh, Bhai Gunel Singh, Bhai Dhanna Singh and all other Sikhs, The slogans like Muslims and Sikhs are brothers” were raised ‘more emphatically and loudly. This became the center of traction and the people ‘watching standing by side waved and made signs of victory to encourage the participants
Flowers were showered over devotees in the procession from a hot air balloon.
Before the beginning of the procession, bhog of Akhand Path, krtan by Ragi and Dhadi groups sang hymns from Gur Granth Sahib.
“The Gurdwara committee honored the mother of Shahid Bhai Manbir Singh ‘Chaheru’ by presenting her $500 and a siropa,
‘Bhai Satinder Pal Singh emphasized the necessity of Khalistan. He said that martyrs and their families shall be eulogized. He said that the real Khalsa are in Punjab fighting a holy ‘war to attain Khalistan. He expressed his anguish over the Indian government maligning the Sikh movement. He said to counter the popularity of Sikh movement, the Hindu Government first created Shiv Seva and now Black Cats. The black cats are ‘operating in Punjab, looting, raping, and killing in the guise of militants. Their main objectives is to harass Sikh families supporting Khalistan,
Article extracted from this publication >> November 8, 1991
