LOS ANGELES, CA: On Sunday, June 14,1992, a Shaheedi convention was held by Sikh Youth of America at the Vermont Gurdwara in Los Angeles with the help of the gurdwaras Parbandhak committee.

On Friday, June 12, the Akhand path was begun. The bhog took place on Sunday, June 14, at 8:30 am. After the Ardas the as a diwar was sung by Bhai Sohan Singh Rasia, then the program started with poems devoted to the martyrs of Khalistan by Bhai Harmel Singh and Bhai Kuldip Singh. The poems were followed with kirtan by Bhai Sohan Singh Rasia and Jatha, During kirtan, Bhai Sahib talked about the history of Sikhism and how Sukha Singh and Mehtab Singh beheaded Massa Rangar.

After kirtan, Dr. Amarjit Singh, the spokesman for Panthic Committee and the director of Khalistan Affairs Center, addressed the sangat. Dr.Singh dedicated this day to Shaheed Bhai Rashpal Singh Shandra  Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan-general), Shaheed Bhai Jagdish Singh Deesha, (Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan-2nd in command), Shaheed Bhai Jagroop Singh Roopa, (Sikh Student Federation vice president), Shaheed Bhai Dharam Singh Dhilwa’(Khalistan Commando Force), and to all the martyrs who gave their lives for the liberation of Khalistan, This dedication was accepted by the sangat with a jaikara. He talked about sacrifices made by founders of other religions for their religions. He also said that the attack on Harminder Sahib will never be forgotten, not only because of the thousands and thousands of Singhs killed by the Indian Govt, but because in history these prove to be the most thankless and selfish people who have forgotten how many sacrifices the Sikhs have made for them in the past. He also highlighted all the policies under which the Indian Govt. is trying to ruin Sikhism.

Furthermore, Dr. Amarjit Singh spoke of methods by which the Indian Govt  is trying to destroy the Sikh movement. In order to add to their destruction of Sikhism, the government created false jujharoos and had them commit vicious crimes. This method was invented to defame the Sikh name in the eyes of the world. Also, the Sikhs have no say in the Indian Constitutional laws.

He concluded his speech with the famous words of President John F. Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

This informative speech was followed by the Kavi Shiri Jatha of Bhai Jagir Singh Mast. Some of their powerful words included the message from Guru Gobind Singh Ji, that out of death, we must find life, those who are enrolled in the Sikhi school, the first lesson they team is that real men are never killed by death. Death is only considered as important as a change of clothing.

The kids of Vermont Gurdwara sang, “Asi shaheedi pa chalay na toosi gulami jareo ve, kaaj adhoora disay je rehnda has poora karco ve,” bringing the message from the martyrs that please continue the fight until we have attained Khalistan.

Bhai Gurtej Singh, president of Sikh Youth of America announced the parbandhak committee of the Sikh Youth of America branch in L.A. The president was chosen to be Bhai Resham Singh, vice president-Bhai Jasbir Singh Pannu, secretary-Bhai Harmel Singh, and assistant secretary-Bhai Surinder Singh Sidhu, The members also included Jaspal Singh, Shamsher Singh, and Kulbir Singh.

A speech by Bhai Resham Singh followed Bhai Gunej Singh. He started out by saying that when a conversation about Khalistan takes place, the question always come up, “When will Khalistan be made?”, the answer given by Bhai Resham Singh was that when the Khalsa Panth is united, Khalistan will be made. He conclude his speech by saying that we must individually contribute to the Khalistan movement and then we would feel no need to ask such questions,

The Shaheedi convention successfully came to an end with a short speech by Dr. Amarjit Singh, followed by Ardas.

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