WASHINGTONDC: The World Sikh Organization (WSO) was formed eight years ago to serve as the International umbrella organization for the representation of the nation of Khalistan. It had its first joint meeting to be held at the Int. Sikh Sect. Building in Washington DC on June 6-7. The General Assembly and the Governing Council met after two years of planning to debate the issue of Sikhs in the Punjab to unanimously condemn the terrorist-like repressive regime of India and to fulfill the stipulations of the W.S.0 Constitution for general elections every two years.

The General Assembly elected a new slate of officers who are; S. Didar Singh Bains President W.S.O. Int. S. Ramraghbir Singh Chahal president-elect WSO Int. and president of WSO Canada S.Kamail Singh Gill Secretary W.S.O Int and S Jagiy Singh Bains Treasurer. In their opening statements outgoing president S.Gian Singh Sandhu and President elect S.Didar Singh Bains emphasized the role of the W.S.O. which is “to use every peaceful avenue possible to step up the struggle for an independent Khalistan.” They also reaffirmed their position calling for a boycott of the elected Representatives of the Indian Assembly. Those who subscribe to the Indian constitution should not be re-elected they are hurdles in the path to achieving Khalistan. They further explained during that evening’s press conference the work that has been done by the W.S.O. and the basis for these efforts on behalf of the Sikh people. It is important for the Sikh public to be aware that W.S.O. is working assiduously to gain worldwide recognition of both the right of Sikhs to realize the dreams of an independent homeland and of the activities of the Indian Govt in Punjab and the Indian missions in the U.S. and Canada that are attempting to threaten Sikhs with retribution who try to fulfill the dream of the Khalea Panth.

In the spirited debate following the opening statements the International Legality of Khalistan was further explained by S. Sandhuand W.S.O. president U.S. Gurcharan Singh Dhillon.

When asked “How long it Khalistan?” They answered “It is unpredictable” and said who knew that 18 months ago the U.S.S.R would disintegrate the Berlin wall would fall and the Baltic States would finally be recognized after decades of repression. Yet there is the example of the P.L.O. which has struggled for 50 years and today seems no closer to an independent homeland than when Israel was partitioned after the war.

The comparison was made to the right of Kashmiris to have an independent state because of agreements between India and Pakistan. In the case of the Punjab it was noted that prior to the British partition the Sikhs had their own kingdom long before 1847 when the British incorporated the Punjab into India. In fact the W.S.O has tried three times to gain U.N. recognition based on several factors. Including the promises and agreements of India and Britain which were not fulfilled consisting them of a “breach of contract” also there is the fact that religion nationality and beliefs are the basis for UN recognition of a county and the Punjab certainly fits that criterion.

Yet the UN has three times denied the claims of Khalistan giving as its reason (that) “forming Khalistan was in effect an attempt to disintegrate a member county” (India) so N.G.O. status was denied The W.S.O. has argued strongly and used the examples of the PLO the U.S. Congress the Canadian Human Rights Commission. etc for Khalistan right to inclusion. W.S.O. will continue its efforts in this direction. It is also a well-known fact that the Sikhs did not and do not accept the Indian constitution and were not signatories to that 1950 document. Sikhs especially take exception to the infamous Article 25 which eliminates Sikhs as an identifiable group at least during the British Raj Sikhs was recognized as having an identity separate from Hindus.

The W.S.O has endeavored to be an umbrella for the various organizations fighting for Khalistan W.S.O makes no judgment on who best to support. We support all of those who are for Khalistan. We aim to be the International voice for Khalistan not a party to internal conflict since all are contributing to the same cause.

W.S.O has drawn up a plan to “create a country.” We have the desire of the people of Punjab and we will have international recognition WS.O. is also working to maintain a positive image of Sikhs and to emphasize to our youth the value of and the need for independence.

We have sponsored Canadian MPs British MPs and members of the U.S. Congress at various times to see personally what life in the Punjab is like. Unfortunately several U.S. Reps have either been denied visas or had to travel as individuals who gives their reports of abuses less weight. We are working to have a large contingent of western politicos who are unbiased travel to Punjab report on these findings and produce a cogent “package” that will support our arguments against Indian repression.

Explaining the basis for establishing the office in Wash D.C. Sardar Sandhu said

As Washington plays a major role in the “New World Order” it seemed fitting that this location would serve well as a center for lobbying and media efforts aimed at western recognition”

We hope that this central location will also become a source of information onthe statc of Khalistan and a resource base for all Sikhs who desire to further their knowledge of Khalsa progress.

At the banquet held on June 6 Mr. Sandhuand Mr. Bains released “The Sikhs Struggle for Sovereignty. An Historical Perspective by Dr.H. Singh Dilgeer and Dr.A.Singh Sckhon” which relates the events in Sikh history that transpired from 1469 to the present.

The meeting was not all business as usual though. Saturday morning began with the Bhog of Sahaj Path performed by the Ragi Jatha of Bhai Dilberg Singh and Bhai Gulbag Singh who performed the Kirtan and a poetry symposium was held Saturday evening which was orchestrated by Bibi Amarjit Kaur. She was a joined by her husband S.Jagjit Singh Rathour and their young daughter in rendering the songs very beautifully. One of the highlights was the performance of the ballads of the martyrs sung by Bhai Ajit Singh Mangt especially moving was the son with the chorus of “Khalistan Zindabad in which the whole Sangat participated.

The convention could not have been so successful without the hard work by local Gurdwara members including Dr.Rajinder Singh Bajwa S.Amrit J.S.Sethi chairman of Sikh Foundation of Virginia S.Jagjeet Singh Bajwa of the P.H.R.O. Dr.Surjit Kaur S.Bishwa Singh Nagi S.Prem Singh who deserves special recognition for his untiring service taxing delegates nether and you S.Swinder Singh S.Sirmukh Singh Manku who is a faithful source of information and photographs to W.S.NRTD. ICS officer G. Singh ahlaw alia Dr. Narinder Singh S. Kashmir Singh and special thanks to S.Lachman Singh Aujla whose untiring service at the Sikh Secretariat is an example of true faith and love to all Sikhs.

In a sentimental presentation to S. Gian Singh Sandhu of a plaque commemorating his two terms as W.S.O. President many felt the heavy heart that goes with good bye Ina voice choked with emotion the departing president said “I’m honored to have been able to serve the Sikhs in this capacity and I will continue to serve the organization to the best of my abilities.”

Article extracted from this publication >> June 19, 1992