Dear Editor,
The letter to the Editor (W.S.N. Sept.24, 93) from Pritpal S. Bindra of Mississauga, commenting on “W.S.O. Dinner” was absolutely off base criticizing Sikh Organizations and their activities.
The Banquets (one of the North American way for promoting understanding of people and their issues) arranged by the WSO for the past several years in various cities in North America are the means to generate public awareness about Sikhs and The Sikh issues. Some of these banquets are regular annual events like the one on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on June 4, each year, to commemorate The Indian Army’s as sault on Darbar Sahib, The Akal Takhat Sahib and 40 other Sikh shrines in Punjab and India. Similarly, the Sikhs of Windsor hold well planned annual banquets each year to highlight The Human Rights violations and brutality of torture by the Indian government. Some other banquets held over the past two years include the following. Oct.30, 1993 Edmonton “Sikh Homeland turning a Dream into Reality Khalistan.” Sept.18, 1993 Toronto “Future of the Sikh Nation.”
Sept.11, 93 Calgary “Sikhs and Media Perception Sovereignty for Sikh Homeland.”
June 4, 93 Ottawa “Why Human Rights don’t work?”
March 5, 93 Victoria Khalistan and respect for Human Rights. Feb.9, 93 Edmonton “Sikh Homeland Reality or Myth?” Politian’s of all levels of governments from municipal to federal, representatives of other communities and faith groups, Human Rights activists, Professors and Teachers, Education board officials etc. The speakers are arranged and financed by the WSO members in local chapters in each region. All of the banquets held so far were successful in achieving their objectives. Some may be more successful than others, but there were always better things to learn both for the guests and the hosts. As the Sikhs believe in the Strength of the grass roots, so these banquets are considered one way to lobby Sikh cause among the general public in this part of the world. No one is perfect all the time. In the Toronto banquet one of our guest speakers who would have spoken on the theme had an unexpected urgent business to attend. Consequently, the organizers had to arrange another speaker and Dr.Suzuki a prominent environmentalist kindly accepted the invitation to come on a short no~ tice, we did not expect him to speak on Human Rights issues. ‘This does not mean that the organizers did not explain properly about the state terrorism of the Indian government. Whenever and wherever certain deficiencies happen. The organizers always know and learn to improve matters. But for someone to criticize ‘publicly Specially at a’ time of National crisis and when people like Bindra are scared to even participate by becoming members, is like cutting the very hands that support, you and your cause, The author of this letter did not even have the courtesy 10 at least check with the Organizers and the organization about why there was this deficiency in one program out of several in the past that were so successful. The people at the WSO. Are all volunteers spending their time and money, who are trying their best to promote the Sikh cause, in the face of hundreds of obstacles put up by the government of India and their agents, including our own Sikh brothers and sisters?
The speeches of Mr.Sandhu and other WSO members always covered the most urgent topics of Human Rights and Sikh Sovereignty; it is highly regrettable that Mr.Bindra failed to understand simple words. It is hard to expect miracles when so many of our Sikhs are’ sitting on) the sides, shamelessly watching and criticizing Sikhs out of mere jealousy, ignorance or fear etc. when they should be participating to support Sikh cause.
The Sikh Nation must save its past for the future. We must remember that, “none of us is as good as all of us,” so we must participate in National activities by becoming a member of Sikh Organizations, by doing so we will be abiding by the teachings of the Sikh Gurus. I salute to those who are trying their best with very, very limited resources’ to high light the plight of the Sikhs and: other oppressed minorities, who: are the victims of state terrorism of the Indian government in Punjab: and India.
Ajit Singh Lak Ottawa, Canada.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 12, 1993
