A rare combination of Sikh youngsters, professionals and experienced heads supported by Gurdwaras, Sikh organisations and the Sadh Sangat came together for the Sikhs in the Square event on Sunday 6 November. The event in Trafalgar Square marked the 21st anniversary of the November 1984 anti-Sikh pogroms. Despite the severe weather and transport disruption the event, the first event of its kind, proved to be a massive success. The large LED screen erected in Trafalgar Square was an excellent way to get the message across and many contrasted the quality and professionalism of the presentations on the stage with the poor showing at the June 84 remembrance event earlier this year. From around 12.45pm the large screen was showing video clips advertising the Sikhs in the Square event, a video titled '1984 and the dela rosa project' by the Singh Twins, Amrit and Rabindra Kaur and the 'Storming the Temple' video directed by Christine Nielsen. Hundreds if not thousands of non-Sikhs took an active interest in the proceedings before, during and after the Sikhs in the Square event. The event began proper with the Ardaas and loud roars of 'Bole So Nihal, Sat Siri Akaal' by the five young Singhs that reverberated around the Square. Next came the Sikh National Anthem from Bibi Amrit Kaur and other young Sikhs. The Ardaas and the Sikh National Anthem were both translated into English on the big screen with appropriate images. The remainder of the event was delivered almost entirely in English. Before addressing the events of 1984 and the anti-Sikh pogroms of November 1984 the first speaker, Bhai Roop Singh made a moving speech on the contribution of each of the Sikh Gurus. Many youngsters were inspired by his input and delivery. This was followed by an eloquent talk by Bibi Summeet Kaur, originally from Dallas but now living in London. She spoke impressively about 'the gifts to humanity by our Guru Ji’s'. Due to several requests Summeet Kaur's speech will be made available by Young Sikhs (UK) next week. There was then a short talk on the Betrayal of the Sikhs before the first non-Sikh speaker. Billy Hayes, the General Secretary of the 300,000-strong Communication Workers Union (CWU) explained the CWU is involved in many campaigns for international justice and support peoples struggling for freedom and self determination in countries throughout the world. He said he was proud to add the CWU voice to the Sikh demands for the punishment of those responsible for the terrible attacks on the Sikh’s in 1984. He concluded by saying: "So in fighting now for justice for the victims of 1984, you are also fighting for the original dream of the independence movement. Keep up your struggle for justice. You will succeed because your cause is right." Having heard about the history of the Sikhs, their fight against oppression, promises before Partition and how those promises were ignored Bibi Sharandeep Kaur, originally from Toronto, quickly moved on to talk about peaceful protests by Sikhs in the 1970s, the events of 1978 and the Dharm Yudh Morcha, or "righteous protest". She explained how the movement was brilliantly led by Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and how the Indian propaganda and intelligence machine tried to defame him and his supporters. However, the Sikhs remained strong and steadfast and Indira Gandhi in her desperation to gain popular support across the country ordered an attack on the Darbar Sahib Complex. Sharandeep Kaur quoted the words of Dr Joyce Pettigrew and Cynthia Keppley Mahmood to describe the real reasoning of Indian Government. Dr Pettigrew wrote: “The army went into the Darbar Sahib not to eliminate a political figure or a political movement but to suppress the culture of a people, to attack their heart, to strike a blow at their spirit and self-confidence.” Cynthia Keppley Mahmood wrote: “The only possible reason for this appalling level of state force against its own citizens must be that the attempt was not merely to 'flush out,' as they say, a handful of militants, but to destroy the fulcrum of a possible mass resistance against the state.” In other words, thousands of innocent, women, children and men were murdered as part of a political game plan by Indira Gandhi and her government. Sharandeep Kaur then described the events of November 1984 and the state sponsored anti-Sikh pogroms or genocide of the Sikhs. She illustrated the situation with a series of video clips and reminded those in the Square of the government controlled television Doordarshan, and the All India Radio broadcasts seeking bloody vengeance, “khoon ka badla khoon se lenge (Blood for blood!)”. Rajiv Gandhi told people to “go and take revenge; no turban should be seen”. She asked how can Sikhs expect to get any justice when the likes of Balram Jakhar, a former speaker of the Indian Parliament can openly declare that “To preserve the unity of India, if we have to eradicate 20 million Sikhs, we will do so.” The next speaker was Simon Hughes MP, the President of the Liberal Democrats. He demonstrated through his speech that once again he is championing the Sikh cause of justice and self-determination. He drew attention to the fact that 21 years had passed since the heinous acts of November 1984, yet nobody has really been punished for them. Politicians and senior police officers who organised and led the pogroms have been identified, but none has been bought to justice. Simon Hughes emphasised it was now time for the international community, led by the UK, to act as investigations in India were simply being swept under the carpet. Salvinder Singh, from the Respect Party, spoke passionately in both English and Panjabi about the atrocities committed against the Sikhs and the need for the Indian authorities to be held accountable for their actions. His words demonstrated the wide-ranging support for Sikhs for the 1984 campaign for remembrance, justice and freedom. Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour MP for Islington North then called for a concerted push for an independent UN inquiry into the events of 1984. The Sikhs in the Square event and the associated campaign will create pressure for action to be taken by the international community to ensure justice for Sikhs. In a recent letter received from the UK Government it was confirmed the Foreign Office was revisiting its position on whether to "support a UN inquiry into the events of 1984". The Foreign Office said "it is for the government of India to investigate and bring culprits to justice." However, the UK Government confirmed it is closely watching the outcomes from the Nanavati Commission report to see what actions are taken by the Indian government. Bhai Amrik Singh, the Chairman of the Sikh Federation (UK), then took the stage and delivered a rousing speech of thanks to the Sikh youth and said they were showing the way forward in the 1984 campaign. Many of the Sikh youth have responded on discussion forums to praise Bhai Amrik Singh for having the courage to let the youth come forward and play their full part alongside Sikh professionals and senior and respected figures in the Sikh community. The event concluded with a candle light vigil that took place despite the weather, the first public showing in the UK of the preview of the film 'The Widow Colony' produced by Harpreet Kaur of Such Productions, the Ardaas and a few words of thanks and the way forward by Bhai Surinder Singh. The political lobbying over the last few years combined with large public rallies like the one witnessed in Trafalgar Square involving more and more non-Sikhs is almost certainly the way forward and will take the 84 campaign to new levels. The likes of Bhai Amrik Singh are an example of those that recognise the importance of promoting Sikh youngsters to take more of a lead. Senior figures in the community will still have a vitally important role in keeping the Sikh masses motivated, but the need is to take the message of the injustices of 1984 to non-Sikhs so they become the champions of the Sikh cause of justice and freedom. Young Sikhs (UK) will in the next two weeks be releasing a 3-hour DVD of the event, including the video clips as words are unable to describe the atmosphere and emotions in the Square. For further information about the release and availability of the DVD visit www.campaign.org

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