[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 50 (Tuesday, April 13, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E626]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E626]]
            SIKH MARCH FOR BAISAKHI SUPPORTS FREE KAHLISTAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAN BURTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 13, 1999

  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, it was my pleasure to attend the 
Khalsa March this past Saturday. The March celebrated the 300th 
anniversary of the Sikh Nation. Over 40,000 people from all over 
America attended this special event. I thank my friend Dr. Gurmit Singh 
Aulakh, President of the Council of Khalistan, for inviting me to this 
auspicious occasion.
  There are 22 million Sikhs in the world and nearly 500,000 here in 
the United States. They have enriched American life in almost every 
walk of life, including law, farming, medicine and many other. I was 
interested in learning that a Sikh named Dalip Singh Saund even served 
in the U.S. Congress. I would like to take this opportunity to salute 
their contributions to this country.
  Mr. Speaker, the March was truly a success. There was a tremendous 
amount of excitement in the air, as they celebrated their heritage of 
freedom and showed their support for regaining their lost sovereignty 
in an independent homeland they call khalistan. Their struggle against 
the oppression that the Indian government inflicts on them should be 
supported by every American and by those who support freedom around the 
globe.
  Mr. Speaker, the Council of Khalistan has issued a press release 
about the March. I would like to place this press release into the 
Record for the information of my colleagues.

            [From the Council of Khalistan, April 12, 1999]

Khalsa March Very Successful--Over 40,000 Sikhs Come to Washington, DC 
             to Celebrate 300th Anniversary of Khalsa Panth

       Washington, DC, April 12.--Over 40,000 Sikhs, more than 
     twice as many as expected, came to Washington, D.C. on 
     Saturday, April 10 to participate in Khalsa March 1999, 
     celebrating the 300th anniversary of the day that Guru Gobind 
     Singh baptized the Sikh Nation. It was the first time that so 
     many Sikh gathered in the Nation's Capital. A sea of saffron 
     turbans and scarves could be seen around the Reflecting Pool. 
     There are 22 million Sikhs world wide and about 500,000 here 
     in the United States.
       The mood of attendees was jubilant and excited as they 
     celebrated the Sikh heritage. The celebration began in front 
     of the Lincoln Memorial, which is a symbol of freedom, and 
     the participants marched to the U.S. Capitol. The stage 
     displayed pictures of Guru Gobind Singh Baptizing the Panj 
     Pyaras (the Five Beloved Ones), depictions of Gurdwara 
     Kesgarh Sahib, the birthplace of the Sikh Nation, the Golden 
     Temple in Amritsar, the holiest Sikh shrine, other major 
     events in Sikh history, and banners with slogans like 
     ``Indian Free Khalistan'', ``Long Live Khalistan'', etc.
       ``Guru Gobind Singh gave the Sikh Nation a heritage of 
     freedom,'' said Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, the coordinator of 
     the march. ``Today we had a joyous celebration of that 
     heritage,'' he said. ''Now we must dedicate ourselves to 
     freeing our homeland, Khalistan.''
       Participants in the march celebrated with family and 
     friends and raised slogans. They carried banners that said 
     ``India Free Khalistan,'' ``Long Live Khalistan,'' and ``Raj 
     Karega Khalsa.'' There was a float bearing a replica of the 
     Golden Temple in Amritsar, the holiest of Sikh shrines, and 
     another promoting ``Khalistan--the Sikh Nation on the Move.
       Speakers included dignitaries from Punjab, Khalistan like 
     Justice Ajit Singh Bains, chairman of the Punjab Human Rights 
     Organization (PHRO), and retired General Narinder Singh, as 
     well as U.S. Congress Dan Burton (R-Ind.), Dr. Walter Landry, 
     Executive Director of the Think-Tank for National Self-
     Determination, representatives of Sikh women and youth, and 
     others.
       Justice Bains discussed the genocide and human-rights 
     violations that the Indian government has committed against 
     the Sikh Nation since 1984. He said that there is no rule of 
     law in Punjab. He pointed out the Indian government's policy 
     of mass cremations of Sikhs, which the Indian supreme Court 
     called ``worse then a genocide.''
       General Narinder Singh spoke of the sovereignty of the Sikh 
     Nation. He noted that Guru Gobind Singh gave the Sikh Nation 
     sovereignty and that this sovereignty is part of the Khalsa 
     birthright. He said that there is no reason why the Khalsa 
     Panth should not have sovereignty.
       Congressman Burton offered his continued support for the 
     Sikh cause. He spoke against the Indian government's 
     atrocities against Sikhs, Christians, Muslims, and other 
     minorities. He urged that the United States stop supporting 
     the Indian government. He said that Sikhs should have their 
     freedom and that the United States should support it. Many 
     other Members of Congress sent their greetings, including 
     House Minority Leader David Bonior (D-Mich.), Congressman 
     Nick Rahall (D-WV), and others.
       Mayor Anthony Williams of Washington, D.C. sent a message 
     of congratulations. He wrote, ``It is my distinct pleasure to 
     extend warm greetings and congratulations to the members, 
     guests and friends of the Council of Khalistan as you 
     celebrate your 300th anniversary of the initiation of the 
     Khalsa Panth. This is a significant milestone in the history 
     of the world's religions as you celebrate Vaisaakhee Day.'' 
     Mayor Williams added that ``you are to be congratulated for 
     your efforts to provide spiritual enhancement to the 
     principles of peace, prosperity, dignity, integrity, human 
     rights and justice for all.''
       Dr. Paramjit Singh Ajrawat, the Secretary of the march and 
     Master of Ceremonies at the Lincoln Memorial, reminded the 
     audience that Guru Gobind Singh created the Khalsa and 
     recognized the whole human race as equal, including gender 
     equality. He noted that Abraham Lincoln also worked to end 
     slavery.
       Attendees passed resolutions to reiterate their support for 
     a free Khalistan, the Sikh homeland that was declared 
     independent on October 7, 1987; to honor Sikh martyrs; to ask 
     the Indian government to release the tens of thousands of 
     Sikh political prisoners it is holding; and to demand that 
     the Akal Takht, the seat of the Sikh religion, be freed from 
     the Badal government, asking the Khalsa Panth to boycott and 
     oppose the Badal government; asking the Khalsa Panth to 
     boycott and oppose the Badal government; and to declare there 
     full support for Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh as the genuine 
     Jathedar of the Akal Takht.
       ``Sikhs are religiously, culturally, and linguistically 
     distinct from Hindu India or any other nation,'' said Dr. 
     Aulakh. ``On this once-in-a-lifetime, milestone anniversary, 
     let us dedicate ourselves to reclaiming our lost 
     sovereignty,'' he said.
       ``Nations and religions that do not have political power do 
     not survive,'' Dr. Aulakh said. ``Under Indian rule, the 
     Sikhs are the victims of genocide,'' he said.
       Since 1984, the Indian government has murdered more than 
     250,000 Sikhs. Tens of thousands more languish in Indian 
     jails without charge or trial. Some of the have been there 
     since 1984. India has also murdered than 200,000 Christians 
     in Nagaland since 1947, over 60,000 Muslims in Kashmir since 
     1988, and tens of thousands of Assamese, Manipuris, Tamils, 
     Dalits (``black untouchables,'' the aboriginal people of the 
     subcontinent), and others.
       ''The atrocities clearly show that for Sikhs, India is not 
     a democracy,'' Said Dr. Aulakh. ``Every day we pray `Raj Kare 
     Ga Khalsa,' the Khalsa shall rule ,'' he said. ``It is time 
     to keep our promise to the Guru, live up to our heritage, and 
     unite to liberate Khalistan,'' he said.

     

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