RCMP TURBAN
In spite of the fact that we now have an Amritdhari Sikh as a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police the controversy has not died in Canada. The Trio sisters from Alberta who initiated the campaign against turban have filed a lawsuit against the decision to allow turbans.
Recently CBC wanted to hold a debate with these three sisters and arm aged for World Sikh Organization representation. Surprisingly a day prior to recording our office was advised by CBC that the trio did not wish to debate with WSO instead proposed for their lawyers to debate with WSO. This was turned down by CBC because CBC felt it did not want to hear legal jargons and professional evasion of the issue at hand.
The Progressive Conservative Party of Canada also found it necessary to debate the necessity of keeping the Stetson in the RCMP as national symbol tits Annual national policy convention held in Toronto this past month of August. Mr. David Rotenberg did a remarkable job of defending “minority rights” his colleagues the party was shamed into dropping any notions they may have entertained.
This shows effectiveness of our branch in Canada for various decisions that have come about affecting our religion and culture. It is good to note that we are able to make friends and influence national thinking.
ROYAL CANADIAN
LEGION: On Aug. 13 1991 our President of the World Sikh Organization of Canada was denied entry into the Legion Hall in Red Deer Alberta. Ashe had business with the Liberal Party of Alberta being their Secretary he let himself in by an open side door hoping to find his group. Here he was heckled and jeered by the beer drinking patrons who found his presence in their hallowed halls offensive.
On Aug. 20 1991 Mr. Gurdev Singh Sahota a Sikh of White Rock B.C. had a similar experience in Legion Branch #8.
The World Sikh Organization is taking a keen interest in these incidents. This is not the first time that Sikhs have been abused and humiliated by Legion Members. The Legion has been asked for formal apologies not only for the two men concerned but also for the Sikh Community at large. When the Turban is insulted it is not only the wearer of the turban but all Sikhs are insulted.
Our emphasis is to seek apology for both individuals and for the Sikh community.
CANADIAN
ETHNOCULTURAL COUNCIL;
Our policy statement to the Canadian Prime Minister on Multiculturalism has brought a very interesting point. Both letters are attached here with Interestingly NACOI president Baljinder Gill met with our International President Gian Singh Sandhu and National President Ram R.S. Chahal in Toronto on July 28 1991 and tried to convince them that he had no rote in stopping our membership to the Canadian Ethno cultural Council.
The time has come when Sikhs just speak out and let the government of Canada know that NACOI does not represent Sikh interest. If anyone has evidence to the contrary please do not hesitate to send it to our office. We know that on all major issues pertaining to Sikhs they have chosen to say nothing with hopes of pleasing their funding masters.
The World Sikh Organization will continue to speak out on all matters pertaining to Sikhs. We have been doing so for nearly a decade now and will continue to represent Sikhs long after NACOI and the CEC have ceases to exist. There is no need for professional ethnics to continue drawing funds from our taxes.
USSR 7 KHALISTAN
The USSR is disintegrating before our very eyes. Republics are declaring themselves independent. Communism is dead. Democracy seems to be the cry of the people around the world. Why should Sikhs not take advantage of world trends and declare Khalistan to be a free separate and sovereign state. India is bankrupt financially and morally. The world powers are speaking Govt against human rights abuses and threatening to cut off all foreign aid to those countries who are transgressors. The United Nations set an important precedent when it stepped in to help the Kurds in Iraq. The time is ripe. Sikhs must take an intellectual stand on Khalistan. After all what have we to loose\?
REBEIRO SHOOTING;
Though Romanian embassies in Canada and the United State have refused to confirm if Sikhs are suspected of shooting Rebeiro it has been covered in the Punjabi Media and has attracted many calls from around the world. In New Delhi India urged Romania to prevent entry of Sikh extremist groups into that country and demanded tightening of security for Ambassador Rebeiro. If anyone has more details please call our office. In Indian government attack record is any indication innocent people may have been framed K S Gill Director Administration WSO.
To: All Members of WSO
Another summer has come and. gone. September always feels like the start of a new year. The kids are back to school. Our thoughts go to the new agendas being made for the coming season. We get on with our busy lives and make plans for the coming winter. The Head Office of the World Sikh Organization is no exception.
We are now preparing for the Biennial National Convention to be held in Vancouver on Dec.27 28 829 1991. The Khalsa Divan Society of Vancouver 8000 Ross St will be the host of the Convention Each chapter of the World Sikh Organization is eligible to send 5% of its membership as voting delegates to the Convention Each member Gurdwara will also be sending two delegates to represent hematite Convention.
We at Head Office would like to encourage all Sikhs to come to the Convention.
Naturally business and voting will be done by properly selected delegates but everyone is welcome to come as an observer.
Tentative program is now beings set and will soon be available to all interested parties Please con tact your local Chapter Gurdwara or Head Office if you need any further information.
Since our elections are most important now is the time for you to renew your commitment to the Sikh Cause and to the World Sikh Organization. You must seriously consider the possibility of running for the Executive. WSO needs involvement and fresh ideas.
We need representation from every segment of our community and from every part of Canada. We need to hear from our women our youth and our seniors. If you are thinking caring individual we need your input and your contribution. Please give this some serious thought. This is your responsibility which you must not run away from.
W.S.O. HAPTER NEWS
Sincere thanks are extended to Dr. Harbakhesh Singh Sandhar Secretary of the Edmonton Chapter who has sent a Newsletter to Head Office. Time and again Head Office has requested to hear from our many individual Chapters. Edmonton is the first to respond with promises of doing so every two months. Hopefully he is the first of many. We cannot stress the importance of communication enough and hope to hear from all the other chapters in the near future.
EDMONTON CHAPTER
Membership Drive is on with a target of 100 prior to election date on the 13th of Oct. Next function for the martyrs is set for Nov. 10th 1991. Edmonton Chapter is asking the Head Office to call an International Sikh Conference. It is felt that such a conference would help t0 promote much needed.
UNITY TORONTO BANQUET
The World Sikh Organization hosted a large Banquet at the Skyline Hotel in Toronto on July 27 1991 10 commemorate the: seventh anniversary of its foundation The Theme was Humart Rights and World Peace It was well attended by over 800 guests including politicians and public officials from all levels of government as well as RMCP C a radian Armed Forces Ontario Police intellectuals from the academic profession and many representatives of various ethnic organizations.
Rabbi Gunther Plaut Dr. John Spellman and Gian Singh Sandhu were the outstanding speakers of the evening.
Commemorative plaques were presented to Baltej Singh Dhillon the first Amritdhari Sikh RMCP and officer and to Gurpal singh Sidhu: who is similarly the first to become a Metro Toronto Police Force officer. The celebration coincided with World Sikh Organizations National Executive Convention. WSO executive’s members from all parts of Canada and the USA participated in two days of deliberations to take stock of the situation and to work out policies priorities and guidelines for the future business of the organization.
TRANSLITERATION OF GURU GRANTH SAHIB
The World Sikh Organization of Canada appreciates the hard work and dedication of Harmanjit Singh Sarpal in transliterating the Guna Granth Sahib into Roman alphabet. At the Executive Meeting held in Toronto on July 28 the WSO has taken upon itself to have this work checked edited and printed. We are grateful to Harmanjit Singh for his great Contribution to the Sikh cause.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 4, 1991
