CHICAGO, ILL: WSO (USA) National Council session held here on June 14 and 15, 1986 reiterated its resolve to follow democratic and political approach to achieve Khalistan. The local chapter, headed by S. Balwant Singh Hansra had made excellent arrangements for all the sessions.

The morning session on 14th ‘was opened to the local chapter in which President, Dr, Manohar Singh Grewal, presented the quarterly report of WSO activities, The report broadly covered the efforts to get the release of Sikh youngmen being tried for immigration charges; sending of clemency requests to Pakistan President through the Pakistan consulate in New York; referring Prof. Darshan ‘Singh’s case to the Amnesty International; taking corrective steps through Dr. Karamjit Singh Rai in countering the possible adverse effects of the seminar on “Sikh Terrorism and World Peace” held at the University of Wisconsin in which Sikh Cultural Society of New York had arranged to send William Kunstler to speak for the Sikh side; participation in Human Rights convention in Geneva; privation of S, Didar Singh Bains in the Republican party dinner, Dr. Manohan Singh’s participation in the Young Republican leadership conference; attending of anti-apartheid rally and Hands ‘Across America by Dr. Naunihal Singh.

Dr. Naunihal Singh, Director Administration explained WSO’s task objectives and priorities. Emphasizing upon the urgent imperative of strengthening WSO, he said that its policies here must be characterized with peaceful and political approach to achieve Khalistan. He suggested developing strong local chapters rather than top heavy structure and pleaded for creating a sound financial base having fixed assets. He also suggested economic boycott of all such organization, individuals and business concerns as are pro-Indian Government.

The evening session was devoted to questions and answers in which more than 70 local chapter members participated. Members were satisfied with clarifications and explanations to their various queries and doubts.

In the open session of the Gurdwara on June 15, speakers generally appreciated the WSO work and emphasized the necessity of developing the organization into the most powerful organization of the Sikhs.

The Connecticut wing of the New England Chapter of the Word Sikh Organization has remained very active since the birth of the organization, lately, the activity has continued at a very brisk pace, Some of the notable activities are as under:

  1. Preparation of a video film from the slides received concerning the June 1984 massacre.
  2. Distribution of the book Oppression in Punjab to the Mayors of leading towns in central Connecticut, to the Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court, Congressmen and USS. Senators, the state library and other big libraries, the management and editorial staff of the Hartford Courant (the state’s leading newspaper and the nation’s oldest newspaper).
  3. Letters written to state department along with copies of human rights report pointing out human rights violations by the government of India,
  4. Letters written to various government agencies in Canada requesting reconsideration of cases of deportation of Sikhs who fear religious persecution in India.
  5. Correspondence with the Sikh journalist, Khushwant Singh, concerning his unbecoming and contradicting stances on the Punjab situation.
  6. Correspondence with Prof. Anup Chand Kapur, retired Director of Public Instruction, Punjab and reowned professor of political science. This relates to Kapur’s book, called Punjab crisis, in which he quoted incorrect facts. 7. Letters to World Sikh Newsand Western Sikh Samachar concerning current issues vis-à-vis the Sikhs.

Article extracted from this publication >> June 20, 1986