SACRAMENTO, Ca.: The management of the Sikh Temple Sacramento hosted a dinner in honour of the media representatives who had given coverage to the Gurdwara programs. Besides representatives from T.V. Channels 3, 13 and 40, there were present Editors of The Sentinel, Sacramento and World Sikh News.
Bakhshish Singh Bunwait, Secretary Gurdwara Management, welcomed. Everybody and introduced the members of the Executive Committee and the media representatives. He also compeered the cultural items comprising Punjabi folk songs and dance. Speaking on the occasion, Prof MS. Sidhu, Editor World Sikh News, briefly analyzed in historical perspective, the exact relationship of Sikhs with the Indian government. He pointed out that Sikhs had allied with India and had rejected the offer for a separate sovereign country’s they were given solemn pledges that ensured to them a life of dignity and freedom in India, Since the Indian rulers have not only broken all pledges but also unleashed a reign of state terrorism against Sikhs, the alliance stands nullified. The Sikhs are back to square one and seek what legally, historically and morally belongs to them. He also talked about the misconception of democracy in India. “How can a country claim to be democratic where there is no freedom of press, where the media is state controlled, where foreign journalists are not permitted to enter”, he asked, He also said that in highly communalized society like India, democracy has no meaning as members Off one religion constitute a permanent 80% majority. Democracy envisages equal opportunities to all irrespective of creed, colour and sex but in India no Muslim, no Sikh or no Christian can ever dream of becoming the Prime Minister. They can at best be nominated to such decorative but powerless offices as President of India.
Thanking the guests on behalf of the management, S. Didar Singh Bains, President W.S.0, (International) recalled the atrocities committed against Sikhs in India. He made it clear that it was not possible for Sikhs to lead a life of dignity and freedom in India. He requested the media representatives to find out the truth about Sikh predicament there, “If only the free world were to know the truth, Sikhs will get all the support automatically”, he said. He said that Indian government was puppet of the Soviet bloc and was bent upon crushing the religious minorities.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 28, 1986
