Us Congressman Honours Guru Nanak Dev Ji

[SaRpAnCh]

US Congressman Comemorates Parkash Divas

Wednesday 21st of November 2007

US House of Representatives - Extensions of Remarks - November 14, 2007

SPEECH OF EDOLPHUS TOWNSOF NEW YORK IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2007

Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, this month marks the 538th birthday of Guru Nanak, the founder of the Sikh religion. As you may know, Guru Nanak was born in 1469 in what is now West Punjab. Every year, Sikhs from around the world gather in Nankana Sahib, where Guru Nanak was born, to honor him. Let me take this opportunity to honor Guru Nanak also and to congratulate the Sikhs of the world on this important occasion.

Guru Nanak stood up to tyranny. He worked to liberate his people from the tyranny of the Moghul ruler Babar. Today, Sikhs suffer under oppression from Hindu rulers who have murdered over a quarter of a million of them and hold more than 52,000 as political prisoners. They also killed over 300,000 Christians in Nagaland, over 90,000 Muslims in Kashmir, and tens of thousands of Assamese, Bodos, Dalits, Manipuris, Tamils, and other minorities. This oppression is no more acceptable than the oppression of Guru Nanak's time.

Sikhs can honor Guru Nanak by standing up to India to secure their own freedom and helping the other minorities secure theirs too. Freedom is the longing of every human heart. God intends for everyone to be free.

We are the primary power in today's world, Madam Speaker. We can use our influence to support the cause of freedom in South Asia. By doing so, we can honor Guru Nanak and all those who have worked for freedom around the world.

The time has come to let India know that if it is going to proclaim itself a democracy, it must act like one. That means allowing everyone, including minorities, to exercise their most basic human rights. Freedom is the birthright of all people. If India will not do so, it should be placed back on the list of nations that do not respect religious freedom, as it was at one time, and the appropriate sanctions should be imposed. In addition, unless India is willing to live up to its democratic principles, we should stop our aid to India in all forms.

Acting like a democracy also means recognizing the right of self-determination. Self-determination is the essence of democracy. Where is the vote on the status of Kashmir that India promised a mere 59 years ago? Does it take 59 years to set up a free and fair vote? Khalistan, the Sikh homeland, declared itself independent 20 years ago. Where is the vote on its status? And what of the Nagas and all the people simply seeking the freedom to rule themselves? The United States carries a lot of weight in the world. If we are serious about spreading democracy, we should work to bring about self-determination for all the peoples and nations of the subcontinent. That would help all people shake off oppression and live in dignity and prosperity, and it is the right thing to do.

Madam Speaker, I would like to place the Council of Khalistan's open letter regarding the birthday of Guru Nanak into theRECORD.CONGRATULATIONS TO THE KHALSA PANTH ON THE PARKASH DEVAS OF GURU NANAK