[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 21] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 28170-28171] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]SIKHS ENTHUSIASTICALLY CELEBRATE GURU NANAK'S BIRTHDAY WITH REVERENCE ______ HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS of new york in the house of representatives Tuesday, December 13, 2005 Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, last month, Sikhs gathered from around the world to celebrate the birthday of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, with devotion, enthusiasm, and reverence. Over 25,000 Sikhs gathered in Nankana Sahib, in what is now Pakistan, for the celebration. The celebration included reading of the Sikh holy scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, the singing of hymns, a procession through the streets, and speeches. One of the speeches was given by Dr. Gunnit Singh Aulakh, President of the Council of Khalistan, the organization that leads the Sikh struggle for independence. Dr. Aulakh's speech was punctuated with slogans of ``Khalistan Zindabad,'' which means ``Long live Khalistan.'' Khalistan is the name of the Sikh state that declared its independence on October 7, 1987. The celebration was carried live on Pakistani television and on Punjab Radio from London, which is available worldwide. Guru Nanak had two companions, one Hindu and one Muslim. He was a shining example of acceptance of all. When Guru Nanak passed away, his burial shawl was torn in half and burned by the Hindus, and buried by the Muslims. Both Hindus and Muslims revered him. Yet today, Hindus persecute the Sikhs, the followers of Guru Nanak. More than 250,000 Sikhs have been murdered at the hands of the Indian government. According to the Movement Against State Repression, MASR, over 52,000 are being held without charge or trial as political prisoners in ``the world's largest democracy.'' Over 50,000 young Sikh men were picked up by the government, tortured, murdered, and then secretly cremated. Their bodies were declared ``unidentified'' and never returned to their families. Christians and Muslims throughout the country are also being persecuted. Over 300,000 Christians in Nagaland and over 90,000 Kashmiri Muslims have been killed by the government. In addition, tens of thousands of Assamese, Bodos, Dalits, Manipuris, Tamils, and other minorities have been killed. Are we going to stand idly by and let this happen? By stopping our aid and trade with India and by declaring our support for the fundamental democratic principle of self-determination, we can help bring real peace, prosperity, freedom, and stability to South Asia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to insert the Council of Khalistan's very informative press release about the celebration of Guru Nanak's birthday into the Record at this time. [From the Council of Khalistan, Nov. 22, 2005] Sikhs Celebrate Guru Nanak's Birthday With Devotion, Enthusiasm, Reverence Washington, DC.--Over 25,000 Sikhs gathered in Nankana Sahib (now in Pakistan) last week for the celebration of the birthday of Guru Nanak, the first Guru of the Sikh religion. About 15,000 were from Pakistan, about 4,500 were from India, and the rest were from abroad. Slogans of ``Khalistan Zindabad'' resonated throughout Nankana Sahib during the day's speeches. The celebration began with the performance of Akand Path, which is the The Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy scripture, was read without interruption for 48 hours leading up to Guru Nanak's birthday. Hymns were sung as midnight struck. In the morning, the Pakistan Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PGPC) presented government officials and others with siropas. According to Sikh tradition, the afternoon was marked by a procession led by the Guru Granth Sahib, followed by the Panj Piaras, and then the Sangat, of all the Gurdwaras in Nankana Sahib, ending back at Gurdwara Janam Asthan. The evening program featured speeches given by various Sikh leaders, including Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President of the Council of Khalistan, which leads the Sikh struggle for independence. When Dr. Aulakh raised slogans of ``Khalistan Zindabad,'' the Sangat responded with great enthusiasm. The Sikh Nation knows that political power is essential for the enhancement of any religion. The Sikh Nation also knows that the gold was added to cover the building of Darbar Sahib when the Sikihs ruled Punjab from 1765 to 1849. Since then, it is also called the Golden Temple. After midnight the celebration concluded with ceremonies according to the Sikh rehat maryada. The Sang at showed great devotion and reverence on this pious occasion. Guru Nanak was the founder of the Sikh religion. (``Marya Sikha Jagat Sitch Nanak Nirmal Panth Chalaya.'') It was an occasion of great happiness for the Khalsa Panth. The events were carried live on Pakistani TV and on Punjab Radio from London, which is heard throughout the world. Sikhs who were able to participate in the celebration were very fortunate. Guru Nanak confronted Sabar, the Moghul ruler of the time and called him a Jabbar (oppressor) and spoke out against the tyranny of the rulers of that time. He was even imprisoned by Babar, along with his followers. Guru Nanak travelled extensively, to the Middle East, where he visited Baghdad, and throughout India, along with his two companions, one Hindu, one Muslim. He spread his message of truthfulness, respect for the rights of individuals, earning an honest living, sharing with the needy, and praying to Almighty God. He was revered by Hindus and Muslims alike. When he left this world, his body was not found. The sheet covering his body was torn in two. The Hindus cremated it and the Muslims buried it, each according to their customs. Guru Nanak is remembered as Baba Nanak Shah Faqir, Hindu Da Guru, Mussleman Da [[Page 28171]] Pir. He preached the equality of all the human race, including gender equality. Sikhism is a divinely revealed, monotheistic, independent religion which has 25 million followers and is the world's fifth largest religion. The Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy scripture, was written by the Gurus themselves as revealed to them by God. Nobody can add or delete anything in the holy scripture, which is considered to be a living Guru after the tenth Nanak, Guru Gobind Singh Sahib. ____________________