LOS ANGELES, Calif: The Sikh community of Southern California arranged a special fundraiser dinner for Sen. Alan Cranston (D. Calif.) on October 4, 1986, at the residence of Dr. Harmohinder Singh Gogia. It was attended by 150 persons ‘comprising 46 physicians, 32 engineers, attorneys, farmers and businessmen, The gathering presented $15,000 to Mr. Cranston.

‘The purpose of the gathering in the upper class Orange suburb was twofold To show more involvement in the political process in America — $15,000 was raised for Cranston at the $100apiece plate backyard dinner and to show Cranston, the media and other guests that the Sikhs have an ‘unfair image as a violent people.

“We are Democrats, and we have been supporting California Democratic candidates for years”, Gogia said, “But we have never been organized before. We want to be more politically involved to help both Sikhs here and in our homeland.”

‘As the sun set behind him, Cranston was treated to an Indian style meal of chicken, bread, rice, meatballs, spinach and salad, and elaborate accounts about how Sikhs have been treated in both India and the United States. Cranston apparently was sympathetic listener.’ Without making any formal commitments, Cranston said it is a reasonable expectation” that he do as he has been asked.

He said he recognizes that the Sikhs’ rights have been violated in India and that here have been some cases of atrocities” to which some Sikhs have reacted with “violence of their own”

But, he added, “most Sikhs are not terrorists just as most Hindus are not practitioners of oppressive violence”.

‘A.17 page memorandum was also presented to the Senator by Mrs. Santi Bains of Yuba City. The memorandum briefly traced the history of the Sikh struggle and their present predicament in India. It also listed thirteen point charter of what the people of United States can do for the Sikhs. They should:

  1. Insist on reasonable, inconvertible proof of all that the Indian government says.
  2. Insist on the free access to Punjab by the World’s press.
  3. Demand that the charges be filed against those held in Indian prisons or that these prisoners of conscience be set frees.
  4. Insist that whenever any Indian official voice’s concern about South Africa’s in tolerance, he or she demonstrate equal concern about those imprisoned in India and the repressive laws enacted there.
  5. Demand that the army of ‘occupation be withdrawn from the Punjab.
  6. Demand that Rajiv Gandhi live up to, at least, the terms of the peace accord he signed, even though it was a grossly unfair accord.
  7. Impress upon the Indian Government to negotiate with the All India Sikh Student Federation & Damdami Taksal only to resolve the issues peacefully.
  8. Demand that Director of the office of Human Rights, U.S. Department of Justice, conduct a thorough investigation under the guidelines of the Helsinki Accord. The Sikhs in America I be glad to fund this investigation.
  9. Grant at least temporary political asylum to those Sikhs who have fled their home in India pursued by the Government of India, Let the Government of India extradite them in an American Court of Law, if it accuses them of violating any laws that the U.S, would enact for its own citizens.
  10. Demand an accounting of those imprisoned or those who have disappeared into the Indian gulag.
  11. Demand that Rajiv Gandhi make public the finding of the ‘Thakur Commission (Commission to investigate the assassination of Indira Gandhi).
  12. Demand that Rajiv Gandhi make public the findings of the Mishra Commission. (Delhi ‘Sikh mob violence instigated by the congress I party)
  13. Demand that independent organization such as Amnesty International and the United Nations Human Rights Commission be given permission to visit Punjab.

Thanking Sen., Cranston for his time and patience, Dr. Jasbir Singh Mann assured him of Sikh community’s, economic and political support in his campaign and program. He compared the plight of Indian Sikhs to that of the Jews in a Nazi Germany and requested the Senator to speak for the human rights of the Sikhs which are being violated in gross disregard of the Helsinki Accord by the Indian rulers. Dr. Mann also thanked all those who had generously contributed to the fundraiser.

The dinner was funded by Dr. Tir lochan Singh, Dr. Mohinder Pal Singh, Dr. Parvinder Singh, Dr. Jasbir Singh Mann, Dr, ParamSingh and Dr. Harmohinder Singh Gogia. Mrs. Hardeep Kaur Gogia acted as the hostess.

Article extracted from this publication >> October 10, 1986