Dear Editor:
Sikhs, as a community are kind and compassionate people always ready to sacrifice everything including their life to preserve righteousness and protect the rights of others. Unfortunately, the actions of a few self-appointed leaders and self-proclaimed guardians of this religion have given a bad name to this well respected community. ‘These so called leaders have made irresponsible statements to the press, distorted the factual information and made erroneous assumptions in order to make a self-serving point.
‘The latest example is the letter published in World Sikhs News (Feb. 7, 1986), written by Mohinder Singh Sandhu and addressed to Lieutenant Governor Leo McCarthy. In this letter Sandhu makes several statements which have no factual basis and! are simply disgraceful, especially so because these come from a man of Sikh religion founded on the principle of TRUTH.
Sandhu states that the Dinner and Dance program at the Marriott ‘Hotel was somehow organized by the supporters of the Indian Government. He goes on to say that the presence of Lt. Governor Leo McCarthy at this occasion will only tend to endorse the repressive policies of the government, resulting in more oppression of the Sikh minority in India, Sandhu claims that the event was financed and orchestrated by the Indian Government. He finally implies that the Sikh community will not support the California’s official if he did riot cancel his appearance at the function. These statements including assumptions are not only naive and simplistic but these are outright false, Sandhu presents no evidence to support any of the statement’s because he has none, A single phone call to any of the ‘organizers by Sandhu could have easily clarified the matter for him.
‘The Dinner and Dance celebration was sponsored by the Federation of Indian Association, an umbrella organization representing 42 different groups of Indian settlers in this part of the world. It is a nonpolitical and nonreligious ‘organization which conducts, coordinates and promotes activities on behalf of All Indians. The tradition of celebrating national functions was set long before the ‘occurrence of political problems in India, These functions were initiated and organized by people of all religions including Sikhs who a reactive participants in the organization. The founder of the FIA is a Sikh,
‘The purpose of organizing functions such as the one on February 1, 1986, is to bring together the Indian community in the spirit of fun and fellowship, and to create a sense of unity and promote harmony amongst all Americans of Indian Origin, Despite the divisive letter written by Sandhu, the Dinner was completely sold out. It was indeed heartening to see so many people from different walks of life and representing every religion and region of India getting together on that evening. [only wish that Sandhu had come there and joined his brothers and sisters who sincerely care about him. I am very sure that he would have enjoyed the program and the sizzling speech by Governor Leo McCarthy.
The Federation of Indian Association aims to unify the Indian ‘community, so that we can join hands in protecting our rights in this country of our adoption. It strives to work with various groups to make this world a better place for all of us, Although, it is Understood to get concerned about events in India, the country we willingly left behind. We should NEVER let those events dictate our relationship with each other in this country. Such relationship must be based on mutual respect and understanding.
Sincerely, Rajen S. Anand President, FIA
Dear Editor:
Hindus and Sikhs can also be considered as one, if you get me a Christian or a Jew, who can say or proclaim that Christians and Jews are one,
Lt Gen, Aurora is Indian government puppet. None of the Sikh Organizations allowed him to indulge in Indian Government propaganda outside India, Puppets like Lt. Gen. Aurora can speak only in Hindu Temples or at street corners but not in Sikh Gurudwaras. If Lt. Gen Aurora is so faithful and happy with India, then why is his son begging for work in United States?
All the Hindu papers say, Sikhs are brothers of Hindus, Can you tell me any one Hindu Organizations outside India that came forward and denounced Indian Government’s action in New Delhi and rest of India? Recently Rajiv Gandhi announced that he will transfer Chandigarh to Punjab on 26th January 1986, His promise turned out to be no different from his mother’s dilatory tactics. How can Sikhs now have faith in any Hindi leader’s statement, Same way Nehhra made promises with Sikhs to the effect that after independence Sikhs will get a place where they will be able to enjoy freedom. People call Mahatma Gandhi as father of nation, He also made promises with Sikhs, that no constitution will be framed without the approval of Sikhs. Now every Sikh knows, what he wants. It is not the Sikhs living abroad who seek freedom, even in Punjab they are ready to sacrifice anything for freedom from Hindu slavery. Indian Gov’t threatens Sikhs outside Punjab. Saying that if they speak ‘out the 109 will face the fate of Nov. 1984. Punjab has more than Hundred thousand troops, still Govt. has totally failed to control them. Indian Government banned international News media & Sikhs from going to Punjab. Only Sikhs living outside India can stop this movement. Now all the true Sikhs are freedom fighters & others are Government puppets. Sikhs will surely get Homeland and nobody ‘can stop this movement.
Sikhs are Hindu as per Indian Constitution, but get hardly 2% ‘Gov’t jobs, because they are treated as non-Hindus for the purpose of jobs and other economic benefits.
can say only one thing about Sikhs that they are the only true patriots in India. Indian Government stabbed them in the back. Hindu Government got majority of Hindu votes for teaching a lesson to Sikhs that as a minority they cannot do anything to the Terrorist Hindu Government.
When Hindu Government was KILLING Muslims,
I did not speak because I was not a Muslim.
‘Then Hindu Government started KILLING Low caste Hindus, did not speak because I was not a Low caste Hindu.
‘Then they started KILLING NAGA’s,
I did not speak because was not a Naga,
‘Then they started killing Sikhs, and Now nobody would be left to speak against the Terrorist Hindu Government.
Charan Singh Kalsi Lincoln Park NJ.07035
Article extracted from this publication >> February 28, 1986
