DURHAM, NC: The Sikhs living in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia celebrated the Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji at the Sikh Gurdwara of North Carolina in Durham, on January 15, 1989. Continuous recitation of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was started on Friday, January 13, 1989 and concluded at 7 am on Sunday January 15, 1989. Visiting Ragi Jatha participated in the Kirtan program on Friday and Saturday evenings and on Sunday morning after the conclusion of the Akhand Path. Children, youth and adult members of the congregation also participated in this program.
Lt. Governor of North Carolina, the honorable James Gardner addressed a hall packed to capacity with devotees, While being introduced to the congregation he ‘was apprised of the grave problems the Sikhs are facing in India. He was also informed about our problems in the U.S. mainly resulting from our distinct appearance. He was also requested to make an effort to include in the school text books information regarding the Sikhs, their religion, their distinct appearance and their contributions to the communities they live in and serve as professionals and responsible citizens. He responded by welcoming this small group of Sikhs to the Great State of North Carolina and thanked them for making this State their home. He appreciated the tremendous contributions in the economic, cultural, political and educational fields the Sikhs had made in North Carolina, He was impressed that the Sikhs are a proud and hardworking people and do not look for government handouts. He assured us that he will do everything possible to fulfill our requests. He urged the Sikh community to join him in his efforts to eliminate the drug menace in this State. In a note of thanks the Lt. Governor was informed about the religious requirement of Sikhs to abstain from smoking, alcohol and other addictive substances. He was very pleased with this information.
Some members of the congregation spoke on the life of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his spiritual contributions to the faith. The program concluded with Ardas in which a special mention was made of the latest Martyrs of the Sikhs, S. Satwant Singh and S. Kehar Singh … A resolution condemning the Indian Government for the illegal execution of these two Sikhs and for its excesses towards Sikhs in Punjab and other parts of India ‘was unanimously adopted.
The organization will hold a special memorial function in memory of S, Satwant Singh, S Kehar Singh and other martyrs who have laid their lives in their efforts to protect the honor and freedom of Sikhs. The service started with Akhand Path on Friday, January 20, 1989. been ordered for the perpetrators of mob killings of thousands of Sikh men women and children following her death. In fact some of the alleged leaders of these gangs hold offices in Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s cabinet.
The Indian Government failed to protect the life and property of Sikhs living outside Punjab and in fact collaborated with the hoodlums of Bidar in Karnataka by covering up and failing to reveal the truth to the world for days, Even till now no accurate account of events has been released by the Indian government and none of the guilty have been apprehended and charged.
That the survival of Sikhs in India as a distinct religion is at stake and the Sikhs living overseas are gravely concerned about the developing events in India.
The congregation urges the International agencies such as Amnesty International, International Human Rights Organizations, World Religious Organizations and other Governments to exert pressure on the Indian Government to treat their own nationals i.e., the Sikhs fairly and with decency or allow them to be free and decide their own affairs.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 3, 1989
