YUBA CITY: The sky was rent with loud chants of “Jo Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal and Khalistan Zindabad! As 20,000 Sikhs who thronged the Tierra Buena Gurdwara Sabib commemorated the 12th annual Gurgaddi  diwas on November 3 with enthusiasm.

A resolution was moved by S. Didar Singh Bains founder president of W.S.O that the struggle for Khalistan would be taken to its logical conclusion was passed unanimously with Jaikaras. The ISYF, Babbar Khalsa, Sikh Youth of America and Panthic Committee (Dr. Sohan Singh) W.S.O.U.S.A and Canada, various students organizations were well represented.

The Gurdwara Sahib Prayer services were followed by at three mile long procession of floats which went around pars of the city.

Amidst “B ole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal” “Khalistan Zindabad” the procession scared after ardas by Panj Piaras. Thousands of devotees from all over the U.S. and Canada joined this procession with _great enthusiasm. The procession was like a river of saffron.

 In the beginning was a traditional Gatka team performing their at followed by the float carrying Holy Guru Granth Sahib very beautifully decorated with flowers, The next float was of a replica of the Golden Temple.

Kalighidhar  Istri  Satsang  had a float with women chanting “Satnam Waheguru on it.

The devotees in such a large numbers gave impression of Anandpur Sahib Holla Mohalla. The school children wearing   Kesari turbans  and dupattas was very impressive.

The floats, which were very well decorated and organized, were of Kalghidhar Ist Satsang, Singh Students Association Chico (CSU), Gurdwara Gridley Live Oak, Sikh Youth of America, Gurdwara Sahib El Sob ante, Fremont, Sikh Society Seattle Sikh Temple of Sacramento, Tierra Buena Gurdwara School, Gurdwara Sahib Modesto, Sacramento Sikh Society, American Sikhs, Khalsa Diwan Society  Vancouver, Sikh Temple Livingston, Gurdwara Sahib Stockton, Sikh Sangat Los Angeles, Babbar Khalsa International, Sikh Gurdwara San Jose, Solano College Sikh Student Association, Sikh Students Federation CSU Fresno, Punjabi Cultural Society UC Davis, Gurdwara Bakersfield, Akhand Kirtani Jatha,

Every float was raising the slogans of Khalistan Zindabad and Bole So Nihal Sat Sri Akal.

Shane-E-Punjab music group sang songs praising Sikh warriors and their determination 0 get independence.

An eye catching float was that of Sikh Youth of America with pictures of killed Sikh martyrs on it

A new dimension was added to the procession when some Muslim youth joined the Sikhs and raised slogans like “Bole So Nihal Sat Sri Akal”, “Khalistan Zindabad” “Pakistan Zindabad” with Bhai Satinderpal Singh, Bhai Gunej Singh, Bhai Dhanna Singh and all other Sikhs, The slogans like “Muslims and Sikhs are brothers” were raised more emphatically and loudly. This became the center of attraction and the people watching standing by side waved and made signs of victory to encourage the participants

Flowers were showered over devotees in the procession from a hot air balloon.

Before the beginning of the procession, bhog of Akhand Path, kirtan by Ragi and Dhadi groups sang hymns from Gur Granth Sahib.

The Gurdwara committee honored the mother of Shahid Bhai Manbir Singh Chaheru by presenting her $500 and a siropa,

Bhai Satinder Pal Singh emphasized the necessity of Khalistan. He said that martyrs and their families shall be eulogized. He said that the real Khalsas are in Punjab fighting a holy war to attain Khalistan. He expressed his anguish over the Indian government maligning the Sikh movement. He said to counter the popularity of Sikh movement, the Hindu Government first created Shiv Seva and now Black Cats. The black cats are operating in Punjab, looting, raping, and killing in the guise of militants. Their main objectives are to harass Sikh families supporting Khalistan.

Article extracted from this publication >> November 8, 1991