[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 140 (Wednesday, October 17, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          COUNCIL OF KHALISTAN HAS VERY SUCCESSFUL CONVENTION

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                            HON. DAN BURTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 17, 2001

  Mr. BURTON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, last weekend, October 6 and 7, 
the Council of Khalistan held its annual convention down in Atlanta. It 
was very successful. The organization laid out strategies for 
liberating the Sikh homeland, Khalistan, discussed the political 
situation there, worked on the concerns of Sikhs here in America, and 
passed several resolutions. I would like to take this opportunity to 
congratulate the Council of Khalistan on a successful convention.
  Mr. Speaker, freeing Khalistan is an important effort to secure 
freedom for the Sikh people. America was founded on the principles of 
freedom and self-determination and these things are the birthright of 
all people. Yet the response of ``democratic'' India is to use force to 
suppress the natural yearning for freedom.
  India is a land of massive human-rights violations. Secretary Powell 
is there now and we hope that he can maintain good relations with India 
and that no violence breaks out. But I also hope he will press the 
Indian government on its abysmal human-rights record and its record, 
until very recently, of anti-Americanism. It is holding over 52,000 
Sikhs as political prisoners without charge or trial, according to a 
recent report by the Movement Against State Repression. Dr. Aulakh, the 
President of the Council of Khalistan, recently wrote to Secretary 
Powell urging him to seek the release of these political prisoners 
during his visit to India.
  We should insist on full and active support for our anti-terrorist 
efforts. We should also insist that India begin to respect basic human 
rights. If they do not, we should maintain our sanctions on India and 
cut off its aid. And we should go on record for an end to the terrorism 
in South Asia by publicly supporting a free and fair plebiscite with 
international monitoring on the issue of freedom in Punjab, Khalistan, 
in Kashmir, in Christian Nagaland, and all the nations that seek their 
freedom. Only then can real security, freedom, and peace reign in South 
Asia.
  Mr. Speaker, the Council of Khalistan has published a press release 
on its convention. I would like to place it in the Record.

 Delegates Discuss Strategies to Liberate Khalistan, Pass Resolutions 
                    for Khalistan, Other Sikh Causes

       Washington, DC, Oct. 9, 2001.--The Council of Khalistan's 
     annual international convention was held this past weekend in 
     Atlanta, Georgia. It was very successful. A large number of 
     delegates came from around the United States and Canada. The 
     convention honored Khalistan Day, the anniversary of the 
     declaration of independence by the Sikh homeland, Khalistan, 
     which took place on October 7, 1987. The Council of Khalistan 
     was constituted at that time to serve as the government pro 
     tempore of Khalistan and lead its struggle for independence.
       The convention mapped out strategy to bring about the 
     liberation of Khalistan. There was much very inspired, 
     energetic, and intelligent discussion of how to move the 
     freedom struggle forward.
       Delegates also passed several resolutions, including 
     resolutions demanding a free and fair plebiscite on 
     independence in Khalistan and the other nations India 
     occupies; demanding the release of Sikh and other political 
     prisoners; to form a Khalsa Raj Party to liberate Khalistan; 
     to let human-rights organizations into Punjab; condemning the 
     attacks on Sikhs and other minorities since the September 11 
     terrorists acts at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon; 
     condemning the attack on the United States; to raise money 
     for the Washington office; to nominate Dr. Gurmit Singh 
     Aulakh, President of the Council of Khalistan, for the Nobel 
     Prize; naming Dr. Aulakh Khalistan Man of the Year; 
     condemning Simranjit Singh Mann and Tarlochan Singh for their 
     betrayal of the Sikh Nation and unwarranted attack on Dr. 
     Aulakh; calling on Sikhs, Sikh leaders, and Gurdwaras to 
     support the freedom struggle; and commending convention 
     chairman Dr. Gulbarg Singh Basi and his wife, Rup Kaur Basi, 
     for their hard work to make the convention successful. They 
     decided that next year's convention will be held on Columbus 
     Day weekend 2002 in Philadelphia.
       Dr. Aulakh thanked all the delegates who came to the 
     convention. ``I am very impressed with the turnout,'' he 
     said. ``We have many people who took time out of their busy 
     schedules to come here. They gave this weekend to the cause 
     of Sikh freedom,'' he said. ``Their efforts are noticed and 
     appreciated.''
       ``These are true Sikhs,'' Dr. Aulakh added. ``The Sikh 
     leadership in Punjab would do well to emulate the people at 
     this convention. Remember `In grieb Sikhin ko deon Patshahi' 
     and `Raj Kare Ga Khalsa,' '' Dr. Aulakh said. ``As Professor 
     Darshan Singh said, `If a Sikh is not a Khalistani, he is not 
     a Sikh.' We must keep this in mind when we deal with corrupt 
     leaders such as Badal, Tohra, Chohan, and others.''
       ``This convention has been a significant step forward in 
     the effort to reclaim the Sikh Nation's lost sovereignty,'' 
     said Dr. Aulakh. ``Only then will Sikhs live in freedom, 
     dignity, peace, and prosperity,'' he said. ``Everyone who 
     came to this convention should be saluted for making the 
     effort,'' he said. ``I would like to thank the Atlanta 
     Gurdwara for their input and their hospitality. Special 
     thanks go to Dr. and Mrs. Basi for organizing the 
     convention.''

     

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