Report By Rasamrit Singh & Satnam Kaur
The Federal Correction Institution at Oxford Wisconsin has been the home of 3 jailed freedom fighters, Jasbir Singh Sandhu, Virinder Singh and Sukhwinder Singh, for several months now.
Previously they were being held in New Orleans, Louisiana Prison for nearly 2 years while awaiting trial on charges of conspiring to do away with Bhajan Lal, who has a notorious reputation for scandalous dealings in government and otherwise.
While at New Orleans prison, conditions for these boys were appalling. They lived in inhuman surroundings where they suffered much mental and physical hardship. They spoke to us while gazing out of a window at Oxford Prison, and they said that at New Orleans Prison they had not seen a tree or the sky even for 2 years.
Who would inflict such cruelty on ‘any person? They recalled that prison consisted of a large room with many small cells, During the day, they were made to go into the large part of the room which was full of frustrated, hostile inmates, ‘who often fought bloody brawls ‘over who would sit on which chair, Life was a battle in the face of such obstacles, but the Sikhs were always close to each other. No burly, hostile and drug crazed prisoners ever attacked them, as they were Khalsa, not ordinary people. After hearing of all this, imagine if you could, that these boys radiate a spirit of chardi kala. There is not a trace of resentment, only the resignation to the sweet will of the Lord.
By the grace of Waheguru we were able to arrange a kirtan directly in the prison at Oxford. Friday August 28th we arrived at the prison for kirtan, Some rather alarmed guards summoned the chaplain of the prison. The chaplain is in charge of religious affairs in the prison. After a metal detector test and after our instruments were checked, we were lead down a maze of barred doors leading to the chapel, there we met the 3 Sikhs as well as young inmate named Joe, who was very interested in Sikhism due to the preaching of the Sikh inmates. We had prepared books especially for the ‘occasion with Shabads in Punjabi, Roman transliterations, and English translations, we wanted the uneasy prison personnel to see how wonderful are the writings of the Guru, we knew it would help the other curious inmates as well. For 2 hours kirtan was held along, with discussion of philosophy. Finally our meeting came to an end, with all involved feeling refreshed and enlivened. Wel left some kirtan instructions for Sukhwinder Singh, who is planning to learn kirtan, his enthusiasm is infectious. Jasbir Singh requested that we bring Sri Guru Granth Sahib, as they have not seen “Babaji” for 29 months, Jasbir Singh, as you recall, recently underwent a hunger strike for 22 days in order to have the right to wear his turban. He lost over 50 Ibs but still appears bright faced in his shining Kesri dastar. ‘We left several kirtan tapes with the chaplain who will allow them to hear kirtan in the chapel. Next Kirtan was scheduled on the spot for September the 9th at 5:00 p.m. Many people are intimidated by the idea of going to a prison and by doing so perhaps be associated with freedom fighters. It is unfortunate that they have this fear. Nevertheless, there is much interest and many fine preachers have offered their services to make this project a success.
The September 9th Kirtan will be attended by Bhai Mohinder Singh, Chicago, Gyani Hargyan Singh, Madison, Baba Har Krishart Singh, England, Bhai Harbhajan Singh, Chicago, Rasamrit Singh, Satnam Kaur and Jot Par kash Kaus, Madison area.
We feel that we must exercise our rights in this country, to freedom of religion. The freedom will be there only as long as we avail ourselves oft. If we meekly accept ‘what other people dish out for us, ‘we will be a sorry lot, The American people are, by and large very sympathetic to the cause of human rights and dignity. They are however, duped into believing so many lies put forth by a very active and diligent Hindu fascist government of India and its agents abroad. We must all become freedom fighters now. We can fight quite lawfully in the USA by protest letters to Congressmen, Senators and newspapers. If even 10% of Sikhs responded to the slur campaigns launched by the atheistic Hindu government of India, the hate mongers would be silenced, Take a day, even once a month to write a letter protesting the “Sikh Terrorist” charges made in local and national papers. Recently in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a picture of a Sikh was printed with a caption describing him as a fanatic Muslim terrorist, The SRS of Milwaukee responded immediately and the newspaper was afraid of being sued. They offered to print a favorable account of Sikhs. This is an example of how we can protect our image by letters.
Jasbir Singh’s hunger strike was ‘a courageous protest for the right to wear a turban. So when there is a demonstration please take part and show unity. Also talk to American people about Sikhism. You will be surprised at how they will respond. Above all, keep an open mind and learn the Gurbani, meditate on its meaning, there is no end to the realizations you will have, and it will increase daily. You will never feel stagnant, When we become complacent, the king we know all, or don’t care to know, then there is never progress in spiritual life. You can only cross the ocean of suffering in this world by the sound ship of the Nam and Guru himself will ferry you across.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 11, 1987
