SACRAMENTO: The delegates to the World Sikh Organisation convention took advantage of being in the area to attend the Seventh anniversary of the Gurdwara Sahib in Sacramento. This Gurdwara has been uniquely free from dissensions and power struggles in all its seven years,
Local media persons were told of the atrocities being committed against Sikhs by the Indian government.
S Gurcharan Singh Dhillon who has been reelected WSOUSA president spoke at length on the Sikh struggle for freedom in India. He said the WSO wholeheartedly supported the Panthic Committee of Dr.Sohan Singh and the four militant organisations associated with it. The reason, he said was because these associations had taken the lead in the fight on the soil of Punjab. Obviously to rebut criticism in some quarters, he went on to state that this did not mean they did not recognise the role and efforts of other militant organisations. Any person organisation with the avowed goal of Khalistan was worthy of praise and our support, he said.
S Bakhshish Singh Banwait, the general secretary of the Gurdwara managed the function in a call and orderly fashion. Everyone was all praise for him.
The situation in Punjab was di cussed at length by over a speakers.
S Mehar Singh Saini was among the prominent speakers who urged support to World Sikh Ne Fws. WSN president Dr G.S.Grawal spoke of the struggle to establish Sikh media in the face overwhelming odds.
S Baldev Singh of New York said that we have always had traitors, even at the time of our Guru This should not dishearten us ¢ become obstacles in our struggle On the media, he said the Sikh foolishly lost the Tribune in Char digarh and duet similar reason the World Sikh News was being made to suffer today.
‘S Tejinder Singh Raipur appealed for help to freedom fighters and their families as well as unity in our ranks He said our enemies were not as strong as we were weak due to our division.
S Amrik S Gill was given a sit opa for the World Sikh News.
The Gurdwara management al so gave a considerable sum to the Sikh Defense Fund.
- Jagjit Singh Boparai said am compromise would be trading in the blood of our sisters and brothers who had embraced martyrdom for our freedom. The move to apologize for Blue star should be thwarted and no Sikh should accept any apology from the Delhi Sarkar, he added. Such leader: would lose credibility, he said.
S, Sandul Kwatra sang a hymn and read a poem depicting the plight of Sikhs. He said he would send the collection of his next five programs to help WSN.
- Didar Singh urged help to the families of freedom fighters. He said the money could be sent directly to families.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 3, 1990
