EDMONTON: “Today we in Edmonton are proud to announce the establishment of Edmonton Chapter of World Sikh Organization. It is about five years too late, but we are sure, this has enabled us to start with a much higher level of commitment towards the organization and understanding of our responsibilities,” said S. Gurcharan S. Sangha in his welcome address.
The largely attended program started at 7 pm with singing of O’Canada followed by Deh Shiva, The President spoke at length on the role of Sikhs in Canada. Sikhs first landed on Canadian soil in 1897, as part of the British Dominion forces. They have been a part of the Canadian society since the tum of the century. As a result of selective immigration policies of Canada, Sikhs were allowed in or tolerated, only because of their ability to work hard in the face of every conceivable hardship, he said Sikhs have been, are and will remain committed partners in Canada’s progress. It is not only the duty but a national responsibility of our fellow Canadians, to ensure that arbitrary and discretionary barriers are not allowed to come in the way of Canadian Sikhs endeavors towards our collective progress, he said.
David Kilgour, M.P., Edmonton South East, conveyed his greetings and congratulated the Sikh community on formation of Edmonton Chapter.
Referring to quotations from the book “Soft Target,” Mr. Kilgour highlighted the negative and slanderous role of the Indian government and their agents, operating in Canada.
Mr. Kilgour is a strong supporter of the Sikh community and has stood by our community, in defiance of his party’s government in Canada.
Hon Jean Lapierre, M.P. from Quebec that French Canadians have been struggling for the well-being of minorities since 1763. He expressed strong support for the Sikhs on the issue of Turbans in RCMP and indicated that he had a good understanding of Sikh struggle, not only in Canada, but also in the Punjab, where he went as a member of a Parliamentary group.
Hon. Dick Fowler, Q.C., Solicitor General of Alberta, brought the greetings from the provincial government of Alberta and welcomed the formation of Edmonton WSO Chapter.
Referring to the emotion charged issue of recruitment of Canadian Sikh in RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) he urged the Federal Solicitor to make a quick decision and end the controversy raging all over Canada, for the past seven months.
Mr. Percy Wickman, M.L.A. a prominent member of the Liberal Party of Alberta, a strong supporter of Multiculturalism and Human Rights, said that when any member of Canadian multicultural mosaic faces a hurdle, it must be viewed as a hurdle for all of Canada. He expressed strong support for Sikhs in their struggle to obtain acceptance for their turbans a part of Sikh religion. He assured) full support of the Provincial Liberal party, in Sikhs struggle, which is good for all Canadians, not only the Sikhs.
Mr. Gerry Gibeau, M.L.A., from Alberta New Democrats, was fully supportive of the Sikh stand on the issue of Turbans and declared continuing support for the Sikhs. He chastised the Federal Tory government for allowing this ugly controversy to continue unabated and called upon the provincial government to show some leadership.
Her Worship Jan Reimer, the Mayor of Edmonton, congratulated the Edmonton Chapter of ‘WSO and declared full support for the Sikhs on the Turban issue. She promised full respect for the Sikhs religious requirements, in the city administration and offered to work closely and co-operatively with ‘Sikh leaders and representatives.
- Gian Singh Sandhu, International President, WSO traced the history of WSO and outlined the organizational structure. Officials of the UN can be justifiably thanked for highlighting the need for a world body of the Sikhs, when 33 ‘Sikh leaders assembled to present a protest against the Indian attack on the Golden Temple, but all of them could not even be seated in the premises, because there weren’t as many seats there.
WSO officially came into existence on July 28, 1984 and has been a target of attack by the Indian government, ever since. Even Canadian government, under the pressure of their Indian friends, has sought to undermine the strength and credibility of WSO. They even tried monetary temptations or rewards to induce WSO to drop the constitutional clause pertaining to “Khalistan”.
The International President declared that WSO’s commitment to Sikh cause, will never be compromised.
‘Welcoming the new Edmonton WSO Chapter he indicated that this is the 57th branch of WSO (Canada) and an indicator of growing acceptance and credibility of WSO as representative and concerned body of the Sikhs.
He commended the government of Alberta for being the first provincial government in Canada, to appoint six Sikhs to various government appointments. He also acknowledged that the Premier of Alberta was the first Tory Premier in Canada to come out openly against Joe Clark’s directions to Premiers and elected officials to boycott the activities of the Canadian Sikh community. He noted with regret that Alberta is the origin of controversy pertaining to Sikh Turbans in Royal Canadian Legions and the RCMP. While the judgment of Alberta Human rights Commission’s inquiry is a step in the right direction, negative and hostile reaction from some members of the Canadian Legion, is quite disturbing. He called upon the political leadership of Alberta to use their influence with their federal counterparts and bring an end to this ugly controversy.
Zuhair Kashmeni, the co-author of “Soft Target” provided a glimpse of Indian government’s criminal designs and conspiracies against the Sikhs and some Canadian leader’s inexcusable participation in Canadian Sikhs slander,
He indicated that their research into the background motivations and occurrences of every unpleasant situation, blamed on the Sikhs, lead them to Indian diplomats and their operatives. He indicated that there is overwhelming evidence linking Indian diplomats with AI-182 tragedy, yet the entire Sikh community has been made the scapegoat for that incident.
He added that the Sikhs have never succumbed to oppression and will not put up with injustices even now.
Dr. S.M.M Qureshi, Professor of Political Science in University of Alberta, provided an excellent perspective to the Sikh struggle and best wishes for success.
In his excellent presentation Dr. Harjinder Singh Dilgeer, Director, Guru Nanak Institute of Sikh Studies, Oslo, Norway, pointed out that although the rulers in Delhi have changed there is no change in their ability or sincerity to solve the issues concerning the Sikhs.
Continuing massacre of the Sikhs, unlawful arrests, implementation of “Black Laws” unwillingness to charge the murderers of 1984 massacre, and reluctance to take action against crimes by policemen, are symptoms of dishonesty of the new government.
He reacted very strongly against Indian government’s refusal to allow Mr. Dhian Singh, M.L.P., to enter the Parliament, with his “kirpan”. Citing historical and legal points, Dr. Dilgeer exposed the communal and dishonest mentality of the government and cautioned the Sikhs against harboring any hopes of conciliation with this regime.
In recognition of their outstanding contribution, S. Gian Singh Sandhu, Dr. S.M.M. Qureshi, Dr. Harjinder Singh Dilgeer, Mr. Zuhair Kashmeri and Mr. Brian Andrew.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 2, 1990
