SAN FRANCISCO — Sikhs of Bay Area and central valley staged a demonstration in front of the Indian Consulate on January 6, 1989, to express their anguish and shock against the execution of S. Satwant Singh and §, Kehar Singh. The demonstrators virtually responded to their own conscience and inner feelings as there was hardly any notice of information to them. This spontaneous but angry demonstration was the true expression of the sentiments of Sikhs residing in the Northern part of California. The demonstrators carrying mottos walked from the adjoining park to the Indian Consulate reciting Gurbani. They raised full throated slogans like “Rajiv Gandhi, the killer of Sikhs,” “Satwant Singh, Kehar Singh and Beant Singh, Amar Rahen” “Hell with Indian Justice,” “Rajiv Gandhi Murda Baad” “Bhindranwale Amar Rahen”; “Khalistan Ban Ke Rahe Ga,” etc.
Later the demonstrators were addressed by some of their leaders S. Sher Singh Kanwal read a poem, expressing will of the Martyrs.
- Dilbagh Singh Bains of Yuba City cited the sacrifices which Guru Tegh Bahader made to save Hindu religion at the request of Kashmiri Brahamins. But he said that the eame Kashmiri Brahamin S. Hardyal Singh, the Governor General of Khalistan Govt in exile said that Khalsa unfurled its flag at Lahore in 1799, and now we will unfurl our flag at Dehli Red Fort in 1999. He appealed to the Sikhs to fight untidily to achieve this goal. Bhai Gurmeet Singh, president of Sikh temple Fremont, said that S. Satwant Singh, S. Beant Singh and S. Kehar Singh have maintained the Sikh traditions by sacrificing their lives. He declared that the days are not far off, when Sikhs will rule over India.
Mrs. Gurbax Kaur Kahlon paid tributes to the martyrs and said that they have created a history by sacrificing their lives and punishing an individual who had killed thousands of innocent Sikhs and desecrated our holiest of holy shrine. She further said that Nazis are yet alive in the shape of Dehli rulers and yet sad that nobody is questioning them. S. Bhajan Singh Bhinder read out the last statement of S. Satwant Singh in which he had declared that he was proud of what he done.
Dr. Ajitpal Singh Sandhu reminded the demonstrators that we should not shed tears on the sacrifices of these martyrs. By laying their lives for the religion they have become immortal. He declared that we have to sacrifice many more Satwant Singhs to achieve our goal of independence. He declared that unless we have our own country we shall have to sacrifice such heroes.
Mr. S. P. Singh described India as a den of lies. S. Amrik Singh Gill of Stockton said that the Sikhs should convey this message to the tyrant Hindu rulers of India that they will never succeed in stopping our movement for the achievement of Khalistan by hanging our heroes. He declared that the more they will suppress us the more we will become strong to achieve our goal. He said India is not a democracy but democracy. He will become strong to achieve our goal. He further said Indian govt. is showing double standards by hanging Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh for killing one person whereas they have offered cabinet posts to those persons who were responsible for killing thousands of Sikhs.
- Gurmeet Singh of El Sobrante cited the historic event of Banda Singh Bahadur, when he was killed by the Mughal rulers. He said that the same atmosphere was prevailing while S. Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh were being brought to gallows. He appealed for unity in the Panth.
- Gurdial Singh thanked the demonstrators. He also made an appeal for unity in the ranks of the Sikh organizations in North America.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 13, 1989
