SACRAMENTO: The Sikh community of Sacramento held a dinner meeting and cultural program honoring Congressman Vic Fazio here on Oct 28. Mr Fazio, who could not be present, was paid glowing tributes for his valuable contribution and support to the Sikh struggle for independence. Mr Fazio was tied up in an important press conference in Washington. He sent a videotaped message which was also read out by Mr Richard Harnis, district manager of Mr Fazio. Mr Fazio democrat running for U S Congress.

S.GS. Dhillon, World Sikh Organisation chief, began the proceedings by saying relationship with Mr Fazio goes a long way back. Mr Fazio is a sincere friend of the Sikhs and we must support him, he said.

S Didar Singh Bams, founder president of WSO, said Mr Fazio come to our help in our greatest hour of need in 1984 after the attack on the Golden Temple and has been championing our cause ever since,

Dr G.S .Grewal, President World Sikh News, said Mr Fazio was the first person to have raised his voice in U S Congress protesting human rights violations in Punjab. He said, Mr Fazio was a friend indeed when the Sikhs are the friends in need.

S Gumam Singh Pamma of the Khalistan Council praised Mr Fazio’s work for the Sikhs and hoped he would continue to do so.

Mr Feroz Khan speaking on behalf of Muslim community said Sikhs and Muslims were facing severe problems in India and we need more friends like Mr Fazio.

Renowned Attomey Max Henn Cadet said the US Govt should open a consulate in Punjab. He gave an assurance to the Sikhs that his services were always available to them. He supported Mr Fazio who he said had always been helpful.

Dr Narinder Singh Dhaliwal organizer of the Sikh Sunday School here presented a plaque to Mr Fazio. He said it pained him that the Indian Govt had labeled all Sikhs as ‘terrorist’.

S Jagat S Rye, president of the Gurdwara, said we must support all congressmen who support us so that our voice could be heard all over the world.

A cultural program of Bhangra and Giddha followed which was appreciated by the 200 odd guests.

S Bakhshish Singh, the secretary of the Gurdwara conducted the cultural program.

The atmosphere was very congenial and the function was praised by all.

The following is the text of the speech of Mr Fazio:

“As Americans, we cherish our freedoms of speech, religion and assembly, as guaranteed under the Bill of Rights. And we take heart in the fact that these great democratic beliefs are taking hold in the emerging democracies of Eastern Europe, Central America, and Asia. Nonetheless, our elation in these developments must not overshadow our commitment to stand up in defense of these essential freedoms whenever and wherever they are threatened, as they are now under attack in Punjab,

“Although India has been called the world’s largest democracy, the approaching anniversary of Mr. Singh’s government brings no celebrations of an improved human rights situation. And, Prime Minister Singh’s postelection promise of fresh elections for Punjab’s 117seat assembly, which was dissolved three years ago by this predecessor, has yet to be realized.

‘India has been plagued by increasingly religious and ethnic violence in many sections of the country, most notable in the Punjab and Kashmir. In seeking to suppress dissent and separatism, the Government of India has resorted to violence and has bludgeoned the principles of democracy, upon which India was founded.

“The human rights abuses in the Punjab have been repeatedly well documented by the media, both within Indian and throughout the world, as well as nonpartisan, international human rights organizations.

‘Congress has also taken the lead in focusing attention on this important issue. Recently, the Congressional Human Rights Caucus held hearings which further documented the deteriorating human rights conditions in the Punjab and Kashmir regions of India, From the testimony of representatives from Amnesty International, the State Department, and the Council of Khalistan, it was well documented that the recent rise in killing has reached more than 600 per month and that the government is fumbling over new elections, One must conclude that the decade old conflict consuming the Sikh community is far from over.

“In addition to holding hearings, my congressional colleagues and I have also actively established our position through the recent introduction of legislation in the House of Representatives. This bill, H.R.4641, demands that India grant the world’s media and human rights organizations full access to the Punjab, Kashmir, and other regions of India. For nearly six years, outside organizations interested in monitoring the human rights conditions in these regions have been denied entry. I, too, was personally barred from visiting the Punjab when, after the Golden Temple incident, a bipartisan group of colleagues and I requested permission to travel to region.

‘Outside organizations, which can independently report on the human rights situation in Punjab, must have access to these areas. I was encouraged when, on June 28, the Government of India lifted all restrictions on visas for Amnesty International officials, and saddened when, five days later, they retracted this offer. This cannot continue. If the Government of India maintains these travel restrictions on human rights organizations, the United States, under this legislation which I have cosponsored, would terminate all development assistance programs for India.

‘I firmly believe that all parties, including the Sikhs and the Indian Government, should recommit themselves to restraint and condemn all acts of violence and terrorism whenever they occur. Having studied Asian history as a student in college, I certainly have a very great belief that democratic institutions have taken root in the subcontinent and are going to flourish through the years. Certainly there are some difficult challenges that remain. None of us in this country should, in any way, underestimate the difficulty of resolving this situation.

‘But to regain the confidence and support of the international community, as well as the trust and support of ethnic minorities within India, the Government of India must conduct its administration of government in an open and public manner. Just and lasting settlements can be achieved only through open, peaceful negotiations, conducted in good faith, between the Indian Government and the ethnic minorities in the Punjab, Kashmir and elsewhere in India.

‘I am a proud friend of the Sikh community, which is a vibrant community: economically; socially and, intellectually. It exists all over the world. It is a pillar, I think, not only of Indian economic progress, but it is a true believer in democracy in India.

‘Violence and terrorism, on any side, can only serve to undermine a true and lasting peace between all the peoples of India. The Government of India must renounce the use of force, stop the human rights abuses, and honor its commitments for regional autonomy which were an integral part of the formation of India in 1947.

 ‘Freedom is the birthright of all people of all nations, and the right of self-determination is perhaps the most basic of these freedoms. As a lifelong friend of the Sikh community, I will continue to defend the protection of these most basic of human rights for the people of Punjab.

 

Article extracted from this publication >> November 2, 1990