Sikh Cultural Society, New York

NEW YORK, N.Y: The Ghalughara week was held at the Sikh Cultural Society here to commemorate the bloody assault on the Golden Temple in which thousands of lives were lost, and the martyrdom of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and others who died defending the sanctity Of the Golden Temple in June 1984,

Hundreds of New Yorkers attended the special program which included Kirtan, the singing of holy hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib by Bhai Gurmail Singh from Harmandir Sahib.

Giani Gurdeep Singh, the head priest of the Richmond Hill Gurdwara did Katha on the importance of Guru Maryada, the Golden Temple and the martyrdom of the Sikhs.

Speaking to the Sangat, Baldev Singh, the secretary of the society said; let us not forget the genocide. The way the Jewish community stresses on the genocide of the Jews in Germany, we should also stress on the assault ‘on the Golden Temple, our holiest shrine and the genocide of the Sikhs since 1984. He paid tributes to Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Bhai Amrik Singh and Gen. Shubheg Singh and said every Sikh has the right to defend the Golden Temple. He also exported all the Sikhs to participate in the demonstration being organized against Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on June 9 in front of the United Nations. Kartar Singh Sabharwal also spoke at the function.

Sikh Religious Society,

CHICAGO, IL: A demonstration was held by the Sikh Religious Society and the local chapter of the World Sikh Organization on June 4 at Daley Plaza, the civic center in downtown Chicago, to commemorate the brutal assault on the Golden Temple in Amritsar, in June 1984,

The demonstration of over a hundred Sikhs was covered by the local radio, T.V. and newspapers and the protesters distributed leaflets which gave a brief historical, religious sketch of the Sikhs and others detailing the atrocities of the government of India on the Sikhs.

The protesters then marched to the Indian consulate at 150 North Michigan’ Ave. and demonstrated there. They shouted slogans demanding Khalistan, denouncing Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi. “Stop killings of innocent people.” “Who is the terrorist Rajiv Gandhi,” “we want Khalistan,” were amongst the slogans shouted by the protesters. Giani Mohinder Singh recited the Ardas after which the protesters dispersed.

Later, on June 5 the Gurdwara of Sikh religious society held the BHOG of Akhand Path, the continuous recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib. The path was dedicated to the memory of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Bhai Amrik Singh, Gen. Shubheg Singh and all those who died to defend the sanctity of the holiest shrine of the Sikhs in June 1984.

The sangat which numbered about 650 people was addressed by Gurcharan S. Jhaj on the Ghalughara of 1984,

Washington, D.C., N. Carolina and Detroit Sikhs Demonstrated at the Capital

WASHINGTON D.C.; Over 250 Sikhs of the U.S. capital as well as those from North Carolina and Detroit gathered at Laffayets Park in front of the White House on June 4 to commemorate the bloody assault of the Golden Temple in June 1984 by the Indian army, in which thousands of lives were lost.

The demonstrators shouted slogans and held posters demanding Khalistan, the independent state of the Sikhs. They also decried the deplorable record of human rights violations against the Sikhs, denial of freedom of press in the Punjab and the killings of innocent Sikhs in false encounters.

The protesters then marched to Massachusetts Ave. where the Indian Embassy is located and demonstrated in front of the embassy. The marchers were addressed by Dr. G.S. Aulakh, who read out statements by various congressmen supporting the Sikhs, and Dr. Harbhajan Singh of Detroit, who said Sikhs don’t have a clear concept of their own religion and politics. He made a strong plea for discussing politics in Gurdwaras Representatives of all the Gurdwaras in Washington participated in the protest.

A special Ghalughara Diwan was held by the Guru Gobind Singh Foundation on June 5. Following Kirtan by Bhai Gurdarshan Singh, poems were recited by Nirwar Singh of N. J. Balwinder Singh Shahi traced the Sikh struggle chronologically and informed the Sangat how government indifference and apathy turned what was essentially a totally peaceful approach into militancy.

Garden State Sikh Association Bridgewater (N.J.)

BRIDGEWATER, NJ. — The Garden State Sikh Association here held a function on June 5 to commemorate the martyrdom of Sikhs who died while defending the sanctity of the Golden Temple in June 1984, while being attacked by the Indian army. Thousands of Sikhs were killed in the attack.

After Kirtan, the singing of holy hymns by Bhai Arjan Singh, Sant Puran Singh of Delhi did the Katha, the explanation of a particular section from the Guru Granth Sahib.

As a tribute to the martyrs of 1984, the entire Sangat of this South Jersey Gurdwara observed a minute’s meditation silence.

Speaking on this occasion, Satwant Singh Sadhar President of the Gurdwara said that the martyrdom of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and others would not go in vain and that the entire Sikh community was under their debt. He appealed to the Sangat to participate in the demonstration being held in front of the United Nations on June 9, against the Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Sikh Centre Flushing (N.Y.)

NEW YORK, N.Y.: A Kirtan Durbar marked the function at Sikh Centre in Flushing, commemorating the Ghalughara of 1984. Kirtani Jathas of Bhai Gurdev Singh, Bhai Gurmail Singh, Bhai Lal Singh and Bawa Singh recited Shabads from Guru Granth Sahib.

The function was also at: tended by officials of the Sikh Gultural Society Including Jagjit Singh Mangat, Baldev Singh and Rabinder Singh Bhamra, the president, the vice president and secretary of the organization, Baldev Singh addressed the congregation.

Paramjit Singh Khalsa, secretary of Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Pramus, N.J. also spoke to the congregation and exported them to unite in face of the common enemy, the Hindu Samraj.

Paramjit Singh Dhaliwal the president and Sewa Singh secretary of the Sikh center exported the Sangat to attend the rally against the Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhion June 9.

Dr. Chan in California’s Who’s Who

FRESNO: CA: Harcharn S. Chann, M.D. has been selected to appear in the 18th Edition of Who’s Who in California.

Dr. Chann, of 6089 N. First, Fresno, is among approximately 6,000 ‘Californians of achievement listed in the new volume.

Dr. Chann is a Cardiologist and Director of Cardiac Care Physicians Medical Group.

First published in 1928, Who’s Who in California is produced by the Who’s Who Historical Society. The current 600 page reference book contains biographical sketches of notable Californians from the arts, science, business, education, law and government.

Dr. Chann received a Certificate of Recognition from the Society for having demonstrated “outstanding professional achievement, superior leadership and exceptional service.”

The 18th Edition of the statewide volume is due to be published In December, 1988.

Article extracted from this publication >> June 10, 1988