A significant Sikh conference on Genocide, Human Rights, and Sovereignty was held at Gurdwara Sahib Langenthal, Switzerland, drawing a large gathering of Sikh Sangat from across Europe. The conference stood out for its active involvement of young Sikh speakers and leaders, emphasizing the role of youth in the Sikh struggle. Notably, the stage was managed by Keeratwaan Kour, a young Sikh woman working in a Swiss bank while pursuing further studies.
Youth Leadership Takes Center Stage
The conference saw participation from Sikh youth representing Portugal, Italy, and Germany, who shared their perspectives on these pressing issues. A remarkable feature was the involvement of young individuals in stage management, with Master Karan Singh (Hijacker 1981) initially leading the session as stage secretary for one hour before handing over the stage to Keeratwaan Kour, who took charge for the rest of the program.
Keeratwaan Kour
Keeratwaan Kour provided a powerful summary of the conference’s discussions, stating:
“After analyzing the speeches, I conclude that the excess of human rights violations leads to genocide, and when genocide reaches its peak, the demand for sovereignty and freedom is born.” She reinforced her point by drawing references from Gurbani and Sikh Ardas, highlighting historical instances where the Khalsa rose to power after enduring tyranny.
Key Speakers and Insights
Several prominent Sikh personalities and human rights advocates addressed the gathering:
Mr. Reto Müller (Stadtpräsident Langenthal)
Mr. Reto Müller (Stadtpräsident Langenthal) acknowledged the Sikh community’s contributions and stated: “Sikhs are a well-educated community, and their demands for justice are fair. We are closely observing what has happened to Sikhs globally.”
Mr. Dabinderjit Singh (Sikh Federation UK)
Mr. Dabinderjit Singh (Sikh Federation UK) delivered a thought-provoking speech, citing Gurbani and Sikh history to explain the ongoing human rights violations against Sikhs and the achievements in the United Nations (UN) regarding transnational repression.
Gurdeep Singh Pardesi (Left) Harminder Singh Khalsa (Middle) Mr. Bhajan Singh Bhinder Sikh Information Centre (SIC), Organization of Minorities of India (OFMI) (Right)
Bhajan Singh Bhinder, spoke in clear and direct terms about the genocide and human rights violations against Sikhs, emphasizing how these atrocities are now widely
Mr. Anoop Singh (UK, Network Engineer) (Left)
Mr. Anoop Singh (UK, Network Engineer) brought valuable Sikh Shaheed memorabilia, connecting the audience with the rich history of Sikh sacrifices.
Mr. Ravi Singh (Khalsa Aid)
Mr. Ravi Singh and Mr. Chamkor Singh (Khalsa Aid), despite flight cancellations from Turkey, arrived at the end of the event and spoke on Sikh human rights, humanitarian aid, and the challenges Khalsa Aid has faced in their relief efforts.
Master Karan Singh Hijacker (1981)
Inspiring Youth Participation
A unique aspect of the conference was the enthusiastic participation of young Sikhs, demonstrating their deep awareness and commitment to Sikh sovereignty and justice:
Mr. Akashdeep (Italy, Letizia Moratti Party Candidate)
Mr. Akashdeep (Italy, Letizia Moratti Party Candidate) referenced the UNHRC report, which resulted from a complaint filed by Gurdwara Sahib Switzerland, stressing the need for young leadership in the Sikh struggle.
Mr. Arjan Singh (Portugal)
Mr. Arjan Singh (Portugal) emphasized: “Governments always fear the power of youth, especially in Europe. It is time for young Sikhs to take charge.”
An 8-year-old Sikh captivated the audience with a powerful poem on Sikh issues.
Satnam Singh (Swiss Audit Department Officer)
Satnam Singh (Swiss Audit Department Officer), dressed in traditional Bana, recited a heartfelt poem reflecting on Sikh struggles and aspirations.
Chitranjan Kour (Germany, Train Pilot and Student)
Chitranjan Kour (Germany, Train Pilot and Student) provided a historical overview of Sikh genocide, calling for every young Sikh to become a wave of change.
Harchit Kour (Biomedical Science Student)
Harchit Kour (Biomedical Science Student) passionately spoke about the need to remain steadfast in the Sikh fight for justice, urging the community to use digital platforms and international advocacy to amplify their voices.
Navpreet K. (Switzerland)
Navpreet K. (Switzerland) recounted her personal experience of being stopped at Zurich Airport for carrying a Kirpan, explaining how she used legal advocacy to establish the right of Sikhs to carry a 6-inch Kirpan in Switzerland.
Harbaaz Singh (ICT Student)
Harbaaz Singh (ICT Student) concluded the youth speeches with an emotional address, reinforcing the commitment to continue struggling until Sikhs achieve their homeland.
Book Launch & Closing Remarks
The event also featured the launch of ‘Kite Fights’, a book written by Co-Author Bhajan Singh Bhinder (USA), documenting the massacre of Sikhs in Afghanistan and exposing various conspiracies by Indian agencies.
Following the speeches, a Q&A session was held with Mr. Ravi Singh, Mr. Dabinderjit Singh, and Mr. Bhajan Singh Bhinder, allowing the Sangat and young attendees to engage directly with the experts on Sikh human rights and sovereignty issues.
The conference concluded with Ardas and a vote of thanks by Harminder Singh Khalsa, who praised the young Sikh speakers for their dedication and powerful contributions to the cause.
A Historic Moment for Sikh Youth Leadership
This conference marked a turning point in the global Sikh movement, with young Sikhs not only delivering speeches but also leading and managing the entire stage. Their participation demonstrated that the future of the Sikh struggle lies in the hands of its youth, who are determined to carry forward the fight for justice, human rights, and sovereignty.
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