SLOUGH, UK: The World Sikh Convention was held here on 29th and 30th of April and delegates from various parts of the world including the United States and Canada attended the convention. The convention discussed the issue of the violation of Sikh human rights in the wider context of tyranny of Delhi being inflicted on the Harijans and Dalits (untouchables) the tribals and the communalism which is being encouraged by Delhi to tap vote banks for the coming election.

Wide Participation

There was participation from various other freedom fighting groups like the Burmese, the Ethiopians, the Kashmiris and the Afghans. They pledged support to the Khalistan movement and hoped that Sikhs will support their struggle in a reciprocal solidarity. John Watts, Member of British Parliament for Slough, in his speech welcomed the open discussion of Sikh issues and assured the audience that Britain will protect Sikh human rights to the best of its capabilities. He delineated British foreign policy and mentioned that recognition will be forthcoming once the reality of the situation demands it. He did warn Sikhs all over the country to desist from any activity that was in breach of the law or that led to violence and bloodshed.

The delegations discussed the infrastructure of the Council of Khalistan and decided it ought to have a democratic functioning in the entire region in which Sikhs have become domiciled.

It was decided in agreement with the Panthic Committee that the Council of Khalistan shall henceforth, function on global regional basis and that there would be, for the present, a North American region. A European Region, A Far Eastern Region and it is hoped that the Australian and African Region shall be established in the near future.

The following is the full text of the Resolutions passed at the World Sikh Convention Eighty-nine held at Slough, Berkshire, United Kingdom:

The Resolutions

  1. This convention was held in consonance with the directives of the Panthic Committee elected by the Sarbat Khalsa held at Sri Akal Takht Sahib in Amritsar on 29th April 1986 for the purpose of discussing the current situation of the Sikh struggle globally for the liberation of the Khalsa and establishment of a sovereign state of Khalistan.

This Convention recognizes that the Sarbat Khalsa held at Sri Akal Takht Sahib on 29th April 1986 expressed the will of the Sikh: nation and in accordance with that will elected the Panthic Committee to which it gave the mandate for establishment I state of Khalistan in exercise of the Sikh nation’s social and political right of self-determination enshrined in the International Covenanton Civil and Political Rights of the United Nations which has ratified in the Indian Parliament on 10th April 1979 just ten years ago.

International Role

This Convention further recognizes that the said Panthic Committee, accepting the fact that Sikhs do not live in a vacuum and that the struggle for the liberation of the Khalsa as well as for the establishment of Khalistan will have to be waged internationally, set up the Council of Khalistan to present the Sikh case internationally and mobilize support of the world community while at the same time disseminating correct information about the events taking place in the occupied territory of Khalistan.

This convention resolves to give full support to the said Council of Khalistan.

  1. This Convention urges Sikhs, wherever they are settled, to act locally in order to contribute globally to the Sikh cause and urges them particularly to take part in the running of local institutions.

schools, hospitals and neighborhood associations and apprise the local people personally and through press, radio and television with the details of the Sikh case and struggle and establish cells of articulate Sikh men and women to lobby local and national politicians and influence groups and make contribution to the society around them so that society in turn, can make contribution to the ‘Sikh cause.

Economic Boycott of India

  1. This convention urges Sikhs all over the world to institute an economic boycott of India as a peaceful step towards the establishment of Khalistan, by (a) ceasing to provide agricultural surplus to India; (b) withdrawing all deposits from Indian banks; and (c) establishing and utilizing advantageously Sikh financial institutions internationally.
  2. This Convention supports all those peoples who are waging their struggle for asserting their cultural identity by seeking independence from the yoke of New Delhi, for example the Kashmiris, the Nagas, the Bodos and the Tamils and many others.

Refugee Status for Sikhs

  1. This Convention appeals to the people and the government of Pakistan to understand that many Sikhs have fled their homes in face of State Terrorism in India and that as such, they deserve human kindness in the same manner as the ones who fled Afghanistan in face of tyranny there and urges the government of Pakistan to accord to such Sikhs refugee status.
  2. This Convention further declares that Sikhs have no intention of killing the Prime Minister of Pakistan or for that matter any Prime Minister or President or national leader and refute the rumor started by Rajiv Gandhi in an effort to malign Sikhs, divert attention from his own complicity in the “Court Intrigues of New Dethi” that resulted in the killing of his mother, Indira Gandhi, and consolidate his personal position in the forthcoming general elections in India by playing all over the Sikh card. International Tribunal.
  3. This Convention urges Sikhs all over the world for an International Tribunal of Jurists to be set up to investigate impartially and adequately the events surrounding the Sikh genocide in India since June 1984.
  4. This convention declares that the struggle for Khalistan is not divisive nor destructive and that it seeks to bring about a greater unity and a deeper harmony amongst peoples, especially on the Indian subcontinent, through life in peace and with honor and further declares that to achieve that goal Sikhs will use all legitimate means.

Homage To Martyers

  1. This convention pays homage to all those martyrs who have laid down their lives in the struggle for Khalistan.
  2. This Convention is more than concerned about the situation in Afghanistan and supports the efforts of the Afghan Mujaheddins to establish a rightful government in Kabul.
  3. This Convention appeals to all the Gurdwaras and other Sikh organizations all over the world to support the struggle for the sovereign state of Khalistan.
  4. This Convention appeals to all Sikhs in India and outside to support the struggle for the sovereign state of Khalistan.

 

Stop State Terrorism

  1. This Convention demands that India vacate aggression against Sikhs, stop state sponsored and state executed terrorism against Sikhs, release innocent Sikh prisoners from prisons, punish the guilty of Delhi riots of November 1984, repeal all black laws and finally, withdraw occupation of Khalistan.
  2. This Convention urges all national governments to link their aid to India with India’s record in human right field.
  3. This Convention urges all national governments to link their aid to India with India’s record in human right field.
  4. This convention recognizes the efforts at championing the Sikh cause made by several national and international organizations and human rights groups, politicians in their legislatures and journalists and writers who have, at great risk to their lives, presented. to the world the truth about the Sikh plight and records its heartfelt thanks to all of them, too numerous to be counted here individually and hopes that they shall continue this humanitarian task in the future.

In accordance with the directives of the Panthic Committee elected by the Sarbat Khalsa at Shri Akal Takhat Sahib in Amritsar on 29th April 1986, the old structures of the Council of Khalistan were dissolved and a new democratic form was accepted.

It was also decided by the Panthic Committee that all regional bodies shall be left on their own to choose their office bearers.

The Panthic Committee was concerned at the lack of representation of lady representatives and expressed a devise to see a greater participation of the ladies in the struggle for Khalistan international ally just as they are involved in the home base.

Following is the list of the members of the regional councils:

United Kingdom

Sardar Joginder Singh Bal, Sardar Tarsem Singh Sandhu, Sardar ‘Sarwan Singh Babeki, Dr. Jagjit Singh Chohan, Sardar Manmohan Singh Khalsa, Sardar Balwinder Singh, Sardar Labh Singh, Sardar Gurbax Singh, Sardar Rajpal Singh, Sardar Devinder Singh Parmar, Sardar Hardev Singh Sohal, Sardar Mohinder Singh Chohan, Dr. Sacha, Sardar Charan Singh, Sardar Surain Singh, Sardar Ajit Singh (Reading), Sardar Charana Singh Panchhi, Sardar Gurdeep Singh Thind, Sardar Gurdey Singh Chohan, Sardar Baldev Singh Chahal, Sardar Amrik Singh Sahota, Sardar Harjinder Singh (Maidenhead), Sardar Akaldey Singh, Sardar Balbir Singh Khaila, Sardar Jaspal Singh (Northampton), Sardar Gurdev Singh Attwal (Coventry), Sardar Gurmel Singh (Derby), Sardar Avtar Singh (Mddx).

North America (USA & CANADA) Sardar Amolak Singh (USA), Dr. Balwant Singh, Adocate Amarjit Singh Buttar, Sardar Amarjit Singh Babbar, Sardar Daljit Singh Sandhu, Sardar Didar Singh, Sardar Gurmej Singh Babbar, Dr. Gurmeet Singh Aulakh, Sardar Guram Singh, Sardar Hardyal Singh Thiara, Sardar Jasbir Singh Sandhu, Sardar Kuldip Singh Kauli, Sardar Kuldip Singh Sodhi, Sardar Kulbir Singh Kahlon, Dr. Manobar Singh Sardar Mohinder Singh Gosal, Sardar Makhan Singh, Prof Surinderpal Singh, Dr. Surjeet Singh, Sardar Tejpal Singh Dhami, Prof. Udhe Singh, Prof. Sher Singh, Sardar Bikram Singh.

FAR EAST Singapore Sardar Pritam Singh, Sardar Kebar Singh, Sardar Mokhtiar Singh, Sardar Gurcharan Singh.

Malaysia Sardar Perjit Singh Grewal, Sardar Gurcharan Singh Bhaur Hong Kong Sardar Charan Singh, Sardar Kulwant Singh,

Article extracted from this publication >>  May 19, 1989