STOCKTON CA:  The Sikh community of Stockton honored Baba Gurbachan Singh Manochal and the valiant martyrs of the Nation by having an*Akhand Path’ at the Stockton Gurdwara Feb.20 Dr gurmit Singh Aulakh President Council of Khalistan came from Washington D.C to attend the ceremony. The occasion was also used to raise funds for the Council of Khalistan The Chairman of the International Sikh Students Federation along with other office bearers were present A check of $5151 was presented to Dr. Aulakh by Sandariqbal Singh Sandhu.

 After the Bhog ceremony held in the morning prominent Sikh members of the community addressed the congregation in the Diwan hall Each Speaker eulogized the achievements of Baba Manochahal and his contribution to the Sikh struggle for independence. Bhai Gurmit Singh chairman of International Sikh Students Federation said that thousands of Sikhs have achieved martyrdom fighting for an independent Khalistan and now there is a crisis in the community because the movement has for the time being been stalled. He said it was the duty of the Sikh community to look after the families and children of the brave freedom fighters who died for the cause. He promised that the Intl. SSF would extend all help to these families He requested to sangat to give names of such families to him.

Sardar Gurdial Singh said the Sikhs must have their own independent state if they wished to Survive. He said Communities which lacked apolitical geographical entity ever survived and could never hope to flourish. He praised Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh for his contribution to the struggle for Khalistan and said he had achieved a great deal for the community with limited resources. He appealed to the community to Strength to the hands of Dr .G. S. Aulakh Dr Aulakh thanked the Stockton Sangat for the contribution towards Council of Khalistan. He appealed to them for greater help saying that the expenditure of the Council amounted to nearly $20000 per month and all Gurdwaras must contribute at least $500/per month for the Council to enable it to function effectively. He said the Council of Khalistan was keeping the Sikh struggle alive by educating Congressmen and lobbying with them because of which President Clinton had been moved to reply to Congressman Gary Condit’s letter stating that he wished to see the Sikh crisis resolved. This had created uproar in India the very suggestion of Sikh Rights ‘was not palatable to India and its leaders

He said there was a crisis in Sikh leadership which had existed from the very beginning. Sikhs needed educated leaders he added One Oxford educated M A. Jinnah had won Pakistan for the Muslims but the Sikh Ieaders of the time had fallen prey to the tactics of Congress leaders and sacrificed Sikh interests. He appealed to the Sikh Sangat and the whole community to insist upon good education for their children which was essential for a vibrant and dynamic community. He said Sikhs outside India have an important role to play in the creation of Khalistan. After so many sacrifices they must keep the struggle going.

Earlier the congregation listened for regaling kirtan by the raagi jathas after the Ardas the congregation were served langar.

Article extracted from this publication >> February 25, 1994