[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9090]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                VAISAKHI DAY CELEBRATED AROUND THE WORLD

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 17, 2007

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, on April 13 and 14, the Sikhs community 
celebrated Vaisakhi Day with events in Washington, New York, London, 
Canada, Australia, and wherever Sikhs live. It was a very proud day for 
them. The Washington, DC, event was led by Dr. Paramjit Singh Ajrawat, 
a well-known Sikh activist and supporter of a free Khalistan.
  Large numbers of Sikhs showed up in these locations to celebrate the 
day. They called for freedom for the Sikh nation. They raised slogans 
in support of Khalistan, the Sikh homeland. Freedom is the birthright 
of all peoples and nations.
  When America became independent, Punjab was already independent. Dr. 
Gunnit Singh Aulakh, president of the Council of Khalistan, has called 
on Sikhs to celebrate Vaisakhi Day by rededicating themselves to 
achieving the freedom that is their birthright.
  Madam Speaker, we should put this Congress on record with a 
resolution in support of self-determination for Khalistan and 
throughout the subcontinent. Why is India opposed to a free and fair 
vote on the matter, in the democratic way? We should end our aid and 
trade with India until I the basic rights of all are allowed to be 
enjoyed, the way that democratic countries behave.

              Vaisakhi Day Celebrated With Parades, Events

       Washington, DC, Apr. 14, 2007.--Vaisakhi Day, the 308th 
     anniversary of the creation and consecration of the Khalsa 
     Panth by Guru Gobind Singh, is being celebrated with parades 
     and events in Washington, London, New York, Canada, England, 
     Australia, and around the world.
       The Washington parade occurs on April 14 under the 
     leadership of Dr. Paramjit Singh Ajrawat with the cooperation 
     of the local Sikh Gurdwaras. Later in April, the annual Sikh 
     Day Parade in New York will be held.
       Guru Gobind baptized the first five baptized Sikhs, known 
     as the Panj Piaras, on Vaisakhi Day in 1699, then asked them 
     to baptize him. He declared, ``In grieb Sikhin ko deon 
     Patshahi (``I give sovereignty to the humble Sikhs'') Just 
     two years after his departure from this earthly plane in 
     1708, the Sikhs established their own independent state in 
     Punjab.
       At the time that America became independent, Punjab was an 
     independent country already. It was independent from 1710 to 
     1716 and again from 1765 to 1849, when the British conquered 
     South Asia. Today Sikhs struggle to regain the sovereignty 
     that Guru Gobind Singh bestowed upon them over 300 years ago.
       Vaisakhi Day is the anniversary of the founding of the 
     Khalsa. On Vaisakhi Day in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh baptized 
     the Sikhs and required them to keep the five Ks. He made the 
     Sikhs into saints and soldiers. That memory is celebrated on 
     Vaisakhi Day each year.
       ``I send Vaisakhi Day greetings to all Sikhs and I urge all 
     Sikhs to take this occasion to fulfill Guru Gobind Singh's 
     vision by working to liberate our homeland, Khalistan, from 
     Indian oppression,'' said Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President 
     of the Council of Khalistan, which leads the struggle to 
     achieve independence for Khalistan. Khalistan declared itself 
     independent on October 7, 1987. Over 250,000 Sikhs have been 
     killed since the Indian government attacked the Golden Temple 
     in Amritsar in June 1984. More than 52,000 are being held as 
     political prisoners, some for over 20 years.
       ``Vaisakhi Day should be a time to renew our commitment to 
     freedom for our Sikh brothers and sisters in Punjab, 
     Khalistan so they can live in prosperity, dignity, and 
     security. Only a free Khalistan can end the repression of the 
     Sikh Nation,'' Dr. Aulakh said. ``Always remember our 
     heritage: Raj Kare Ga Khalsa; Khalsa Bagi Van Badshah. 
     Freedom for Khalistan is closer than ever. Now is the time to 
     claim it''.

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