DES MOINES, IOWA: Sikh American Heritage Foundation celebrated Vaisakhi day in Des Moines, Iowa on April 16, 1989. This function was attended by the SiKhs, Hindus and Muslims. And majority of the audience were Americans, They included students and Professors of Drake University, Iowa State University, Amnesty International and representatives from the Iowa delegation of Congressmen and Senators.
Welcoming the public and dignitaries, Nancy Singh read the proclamation from the Governor of Iowa who declared the Baisakhi celebration as “The Sikh Day” and Guru Gobind Singh’s Baisakhi Day.”
Kirpal Singh conducting the program of this holy celebration, informed the American audience about the importance of the day. The function was held at the residence of Nancy and Paul Singh.
Paying homage to all the Sikh martyrs, Mehar Singh outlined the inhumane and brutal tortures of the Sikhs and the killing of the Sikhs by “faking encounters by the Indian government and stressed the establishment of “Khalistan”, he said, “Was the only way that would ensure the survival of culture, heritage, freedom and prosperity of the Sikh nation. He applauded the bipartisan support of the U.S. Congress for Indian Human Right Bill, HR 1067 the passage of which shall cut off India’s most favored nation trade privilege with the United States. He asked the Congress to cut offal American tax payers money to India as India is supporting and giving aid to the Communist regime of Afghanistan and other Communist countries.
This American aid to India further violates the American values that guarantees the basic human rights of all citizens, liberty, freedom of speech and religion, Quoting Abraham Lincoln, “America is the last best hope on the earth for mankind”, Mehar Singh asked all Americans to contact their respective Congressmen and Senators in support of Indian Human Right Bill HR 1067.
Michael Messia, representing Amnesty International, charged and condemned the Indian Government for grossly violating the human rights of Sikhs and other minorities in India. He asked the Indian government to lift restrictions on Amnesty International so that their delegation can visit Punjab and further investigation the merciless tortures and killings being committed by the Indian police daily. It was due to Amnesty International’s independent report about the Indian Government’s inhuman treatment that the Indian Human Rights Bill HR 1067 was introduced in the Congress, he said.
Professor Gurbax Singh spoke on the importance of Baisakhi and outlined the role of Sikhs in the Indian history as liberators of human rights and champion freedom fighters and never as “terrorists” He briefed the audience among whom majority were Americans, ‘on the character and traits of the Sikhs as a peace loving hard working Nation. Before concluding the Baisakhi Day celebrations honors were bestowed upon U.S. Rep. Jim Lightfoot for co-sponsoring the Indian Human Rights Bill; upon Amnesty International for their contribution to investigate independently about the inhumane tortures of the Sikhs by the Indian Government, upon Bill Simbro of the Des Moines Registar who covered the article on the Sikhs and their current problems in India and finally upon Dr. Satnam Singh, who is now in Northern California, for his contribution to advance the cause of Sikhism.
The Baisakhi celebration shall be an annual event to be sponsored by Sikh American Heritage Foundation and they plan to sponsor other functions in the near future to educate Americans about the Sikh religion, heritage and culture.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 21, 1989
