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IFCAPS honors
Cynthia Mahmood
1984 is Unforgettable
Dr
Mahmood asks Sikhs to be ready to seize the moment: They must unite,
shun negative intra-community approach, keep 1973 Anandpur
Resolution in mind, embrace dalits.
WSN Bureau
 Des
Plaines, IL: Last Saturday, Dr. Cynthia Keppley Mahmood from the
University of Notre Dame was honored with “ਹਾਅ
ਦਾ ਨਾਅਰਾ” award by
IFCAPS in recognition for her dedicated services to the study of
Sikhs.
The Institute
for Conflict and Peace Studies honored her for her commitment to
honesty, integrity in her academic pursuits and for standing on the
side of truth regardless of the consequences.
The award was in
the form of a Certificate and a check for $1000.00. The event took
place at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines, IL.
The award was
presented to Dr. Mahmood by the President of IFCAPS, S. Sadhu Singh
Rikhiraj. Explaining the idea behind this award, Executive Director
of IFCAPS Dr. Swaranjeet Singh said, “This award has been
established in memory of the courageous deed of sympathy and
compassion shown by Nawab of Malerkotla who fearlessly opposed cruel
martyrdom of the younger Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh ji. With
the same fervor and zeal, Dr. Mahmood is fighting for the rights of
the Sikhs in courthouses of the
Western
Hemisphere.
This award will not be an annual event; however, it will be awarded
to those courageous enough to dedicate themselves to serving the
cause of Truth and giving voice to the oppressed. This award will
transcend all geographical, social and religious boundaries. Dr.
Mahmood is the first deserving, brave and selfless woman candidate
for this award who risked her personal safety and her career to
stand by truth and justice. Sikhs will always remain indebted to her
for this invaluable service.”
The program started with S. Sadhu Singh Rikhiraj welcoming the
participants; remembering and reminding the audience about the
agonizing tragedy of 1984. Thereafter, IFCAPS Director of
Communications Bibi Harvind Kaur recited Gurbani Shabad.
 The
audience maintained silence in memory of those who were mercilessly
massacred in 1984. During this silent tribute, the audience was
shown the horrific reality of the Delhi Pogroms and the Operation
Blue Star through historic photographs.
Bibi Harvind
Kaur introduced Dr. Mahmood and invited her to express her views
about the ghastly tragedy of 1984 and the plight of Sikhs today.
Without mincing
words, Dr. Mahmood said, “In reflecting on the twenty-five years
since the tragedies of 1984, I focused particularly on the wider
context of the conflict in
Punjab
and the Sikh movement for self-determination. Based on twenty years
of intimate research with the Sikh community, I noted the insularity
of this community and its tendency towards concentration on internal
dynamics rather than building relationships with other communities,
working on shaping the external perception of the Sikh experience,
and learning from the comparative history of other movements for
self-determination.
“I emphasized
the notion of readiness to seize moments of opportunity, and
discussion ensued around how the global Sikh panth could work now on
issues of unity, communication and planning that have thus far been
elusive.”
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SALIENT POINTS MADE BY DR.
CYNTHIA MAHMOOD
* In the
changing circumstances of today, 1973 document prepared by
Sirdar Kapur Singh is the best alternative and solution to the
problems faced by minorities in India. Sikhs should unite and
pursue this course.
* In the
changing circumstances of the last twenty five years, Sikhs
should also change their approach. Because of the curse of
prevailing caste consciousness, the Dalits are moving away from
mainstream Sikhism.
* Negative
approach towards splinter groups - within the brotherhood - by
the mainstream Sikhs and their insular mentality and
preoccupation within the Gurudwaras has given birth to too many
problems that they face today.
* Current
statistics show that Sikhs top in domestic violence. This is
highly disappointing to Sikhs and sympathizers seeking solutions
to the problems faced by the Sikhs. |
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“It is
impossible for Sikhs to forget the tragedy of 1984. There are many
facets to this tragedy. This tragedy is the direct result of
establishing a Centralized System of government that took away the
rights of states to self determination. In the changing
circumstances of today, 1973 document prepared by Sirdar Kapur Singh
is the best alternative and solution to the problems faced by
minorities in India. Sikhs should unite and pursue this course. In
the changing circumstances of the last twenty five years, Sikhs
should also change their approach. Because of the curse of
prevailing caste consciousness, the Dalits are moving away from
mainstream Sikhism. Negative approach towards splinter groups -
within the brotherhood - by the mainstream Sikhs and their insular
mentality and preoccupation within the Gurudwaras has given birth to
too many problems that they face today. Current statistics show that
Sikhs top in domestic violence. This is highly disappointing to
Sikhs and sympathizers seeking solutions to the problems faced by
the Sikhs.”
During
question/answer session Dr. Mahmood provided highly logical answers.
Dr. Swaranjeet Singh also clearly expressed IFCAPS position on the
complex river waters issue in Punjab and said, “This issue of river
waters should be settled according to International Law. This issue
pertains to riparian rights of states. It is a problem, not a
conflict. The division of 1947 is a conflict that has lead to this
agonizing problem. Since the Punjab has been divided many times, its
riparian and geographical integrity has been violated. Solution to
this nagging problem lies in re-establishing a riparian state from
the Sindh River to the Jamuna River. The division of the Punjab is
the root cause of this problem. Mr. Gandhi and Mr. Jinnah both were
responsible for this problem. Sikhs are paying the price for a
problem created by them.”
 To
conclude the event, Prof. Kulwant Singh Hundal thanked all the
organizers and those who attended.
He also
acknowledge the work of IFCAPS, Director of Public Relations and
outreach. He was specially thankful to the donors who supported
IFCAPS over a period of time.
Lakhwinder Singh
Cheema, Surinder Singh, Narinder Singh, Harmeet Singh, Ravi Singh,
Karamjit Singh, Amardev Singh, Santokh Singh, Hardeep Singh Gill,
Inderbir Singh Gill, Ujagar Singh Gill, Mandeep Kaur Gill, Upawan
Kaur, Irwinpreet Singh, Sukhvir Kaur, Kuldeep Singh Makkar,
Surinderpal Singh Kalra, Dr. Baldev Singh, Prof. Jagindar Singh
Ramdev, Thakar Singh Basati. Jaswinder Singh, Harjinder Singh Jindi,
Harbans Singh, Amrikpal Singh, Bibi Jasvir Kaur, Bibi Gurbachan
Kaur, Bibi Mann Kaur, Gurdev Singh, Tirlochan Kaur, Gaurav Singh,
Hardeep Singh Komal, Amrit Kaur, Sewa Singh Virdi, Narinderpal Singh
Marwaha, Amolak Singh, R.S.Mahal, Jaspal Singh Bajwa, Tara Singh
Hundal, Bhupinder Singh Hundal, Lal Singh, Surinder Singh, Sarwan
Singh, Harpinder Singh, Rajinder Singh,Inder Kaur, Ginni and many
others participated in the event.
11
November 2009
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