FAIRFAX, VA: A seminar on “Punjab Autonomy/ Sikh homeland solution for Punjab” was held on March 10. Speakers discussed various options for the people of Punjab and Said that Khalistan was the only option, the Sikh leadership should start dialogue with the Present administration, and that Sikhs in the US should Support the decision of the people of Punjab.
Participants at the seminar, which was organized by the Sikh Foundation of Virginia, included Dr. Kirpal Singh Sidhu of Michigan, Dr. Rishpal Singh Aujla of Maryland, Ganga Singh Dhillon of Virginia, Gurmit Singh Aulakh of Maryland, and Dr. Ranbir Singh Sandhu of Ohio.
More than 250 people attended the daylong seminar. Speakers said the present administration should restore the pride of the Sikhs, and that the Sikh leadership should start a dialogue with it. They said the evening activities in the villages and cities were a matter of great concern. The delegates spoke about the effects of the partition of 1947 and of the Punjabi Suba movement.
The morning session of the seminar was moderated by Dr. Amarjit Singh and the afternoon one by Dr. Barinder Kaur Dev. Earlier, Dr. Tara Singh, chairman of the Sikh Foundation of Virginia welcomed the speakers and introduced them. Beant Singh Dev., Coordinator of the Seminar also addressed the gathering.
The seminar expressed concern about the safety of the recently elected Sikh members of parliament, and about the police brutality. They said that Khalistan was the only viable alternative in case of total disintegration of India; one speaker presented the map of Khalistan.
Historic events and non-implementation of government promises in the past outweigh the belief in any government action, they said. The panel discussion lasted half an hour and many probing questions were asked. Video tapes of the seminar are available for $10.00 and the transcript of the seminar for $5.00 from the Sikh Foundation of Virginia, 7250 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, Va 22039.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 30, 1990
