1984
Postcards From The Edge, Part III
... Continued
Persona Non Grata
T. SHER SINGH
DAILY FIX
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Continued from yesterday ...
As former Prime Minister Joe Clark - now Canada’s Minister of External Affairs - stepped up to the podium, I wasn’t the only one marvelling at the sudden turn of events.
Totally off the agenda, a much-disliked politician had been brought in, the media thrown out, the room locked for secrecy, a phalanx of security personnel stood around the room, and a gaggle of the minister’s staff stood around in a cluster, next to the stage.
All at an academic conference?
The Minister proceeded to tell us how wonderful it was that Canada was home to so many Sikh-Canadians, and lauded the century of Sikh settlement in the land. He told us of all the wonderful things his party and his government had done for all of us.
We bristled because the memory of his and his government‘s blind support for the Indian government’s recent excesses was fresh in our minds.
How do you turn a conference on History and Religion into a political rally, we wondered silently … and fumed.
When his speech wound down a few minutes later, there was muted applause. The learned professor stepped up and said: The Minister has graciously agreed to answer any questions.”
No great enthusiasm around the room. Everyone seemed to be weighed down by the strange atmosphere of the evening.
I remember I had promised myself not to jump into the fray. What was the point?
Finally a hand went up. We all swung around to see who it was.
How come the Government of Canada had not honoured its promise to match the funds ($300,000) collected by the community in order to set up a Sikh Chair in the University of British Columbia?
The Minister said it wasn’t his bailiwick, but - he nodded at his staff standing at one end of the room - it’ll be looked into to see what was the bottle-neck.
Another hand went up.
Why the need for a hurried Extradition Treaty with India, without any public discussion or consultation with the Sikh-Canadian community? Why the lack of safeguards in the legislation, to ensure that it would not be abused against false claims by India?
Mr Clark cited a litany of similar treaties that existed with a number of countries and added that he didn’t think it would ever be used.
Next question: Why hadn’t Canada taken India to task over the anti-Sikh pogroms that took place in its capital and all across the country in 1984?
The Minister said he was aware of some of the allegations but was yet to be given any evidence as to what had really happened, as alleged.
And then, he added, if the community in Canada had any evidence that could assist them in assessing the situation, he’d be glad to look at it.
There was silence in the room. No more questions?
I put up my hand.
Yes, nodded the Minister.
“It was reported, Mr Minister, that you personally represented Canada at the funeral of Mrs. Gandhi in New Delhi.
“And I happen to know, Sir, that during your drive from the New Delhi airport into the city, you personally saw scores of bodies of Sikhs still lying on the streets, and saw evidence of them having been burned to death. You also saw entire neighbourhoods pock-marked with burnt-down stores and homes.
“I have also been told that you were briefed during that drive as to exactly what had happened to the Sikh citizens of the city during the hours preceding your visit, and was still happening in the city.
“I am told you asked pointed questions during the drive and our High Commissioner to India, who was with you in the car, told you of the full extent of the massacres unleashed against the Sikhs and how the authorities had stood by and did nothing.
“Now, Mr Minister, you being one of a very small number of people from the outside who actually saw first-hand some of the terrible goings-on in New Delhi - not through reports or news-papers or briefs, but with your own eyes, now you want US - we who were sitting here thousands of miles away while you were personally on the site of the crimes, at the time they were happening - you want US to give YOU evidence of what YOU saw?
“Is that correct, Sir?”
I waited. He stared at me, and I back, but he said nothing.
“Please help us, Mr. Minister,” I continued, “what would you like us to do to convince you more that you and your government needs to speak up and do and say the right thing?
“What more evidence would you like to see to get you to act?
“Please tell us, and we’ll be glad to oblige. Is it that you would rather we produce the very same corpses that you drove by? Do you need sworn affidavits from those who you saw murdered? We need guidance from you … what do you need? What do you mean by evidence? Please help us understand exactly what you mean. And exactly what you need from us.”
I sat down.
Mr Clark looked at me, and I at him. Seconds passed.
An aide jumped onto the stage, rushed to the podium, and said at the mike: “The Minister will take other questions, and then answer them all together. The next question, please.“
Again, silence all around. No one was breathing.
Finally, a hand went up.
“My question is, Sir, why don’t you answer Mr. Sher Singh’s question first?” And he sat down.
The aide pointed to another hand.
“Sir, all I want is for you to answer the question already posed.” And he sat down.
The next person: “Sir, we want you to answer the question. There are no other questions today.”
A number of hands shot up across the room. The room burst into an orchestra of “Yes, please answer!” “Answer the question!” “There are no other questions!”
The aide turned around and looked at the Minister.
Slowly, as if his feet were weighed down with lead, Mr Clark inched forward until he was at the lectern again.
He glowered at me.
I could feel his laser eyes trying to make me burst into flames. He tried for several seconds. When nothing happened, he started speaking.
Or, at least, he tried.
There was pin-drop silence all around.
No words came out. He harrumphed a bit, cleared his throat, and tried again.
Some unintelligible sounds emerged. And then, nothing.
He tried again, A stutter and a stammer. And then, nothing. He turned around and looked at his aide.
The aide stepped forward to the mike. Looked at his watch and said, “The Minister has to catch a flight. We’re late and we have to leave, I’m afraid … you know, rush hour and all that!”
The aides crowded around the Minister until you couldn’t see him anymore. And then, before you could say “Saskatchewan”, they were gone.
The learned professors moved forward in unison to make an announcement. But the whole room had got up and was standing around in silent clusters, waiting for the doors to be opened.
I can’t remember being in such a large crowd ever which filed out so quietly as this one that evening.
The party scheduled for that night, I was told later, didn’t happen. No one turned up.
* * * * *
I was back at the conference first thing the next morning. Went straight to the seats my friends and I had captured in front-row centre at the very outset, and occupied throughout the proceedings. Put my binder on my usual seat, and went to the hallway to grab a coffee and muffin.
I noticed that everyone who was there was busy or preoccupied. I tried to strike a conversation, first with one, then another, and another, and each seemed to be in a hurry to speak to somebody else.
I waited for others who were straggling in.
They would glance at me as they came in and instantly look away, as if they hadn’t even seen me.
Tired and exhausted, I’m sure everyone is, I thought, just not sociable … and went back to my chair and sat down.
The hall filled up quickly. The proceedings resumed.
I noticed that two chairs to the left me, and two to the right, were still empty.
A number of my friends and I had come early on the first day and got the best seats in the house. And had sat in them, in the same formation, throughout.
Where were they this morning? Late?
I looked around. No, they were here. But sitting behind, right in the back, in a cluster.
I waved at them, pointing to the empty seats beside me. Somehow, I couldn’t attract their attention.
So, I spent the morning sitting there in the front, alone in the middle of five vacant seats … in a packed hall, with a number of delegates standing at the back throughout the morning.
As soon as we broke for coffee, I headed straight for my friends, but I found them rushing off in scattered directions.
Strange, I thought. I can’t seem to get anyone to talk to. I was hungering to chat about the night before, to see what they thought about what had transpired.
When I had got home the previous night, after a few late hours at the office, I had been too exhausted to call anybody. The others were too, I figured.
But now, I noticed, everyone seemed to be preoccupied. Doesn’t anyone want to talk about things?
I realized then that I hadn’t exchanged a word with anyone all morning. Not a greeting, not even a weak “Good Morning.” Actually, I hadn’t even established eye-contact with anyone.
I knew then there was something wrong.
Since I couldn’t get anyone to socialize with, I walked down the long hallway, found a bench, sat down, and began to mull over things in my head.
It hit me then.
I was persona non grata with the entire crowd here at the conference! A person no one wanted to associate with, be seen with, be willing to talk to …
It was the night before, wasn’t it, I asked myself.
I had embarrassed a Cabinet Minister, and the Government of Canada.
Embarrassed the organizers.
Embarrassed my friends too? The Sikh community?
Was I missing something? Was I being too dense to realize that I had done something terribly wrong? I went over my words, each syllable I had uttered the night before, to see where I had crossed the line …
Were they, my friends right, and I wrong?
Did that mean that I was in trouble? Is that why they didn’t want to be seen with me any more?
Did that mean my career was in jeopardy … because I had asked a difficult question from a very important government figure, one that he couldn’t answer?
A former Prime Minister, he was still one of the most powerful people in the country. Would there be reprisals?
Had my law office partner heard about it? What would she say once she did?
Another fine mess you’ve got yourself into, haven’t ya?
I went back to the conference room. My 5 chairs awaited me, vacant and patient.
I sat up there, alone, all day, till the very conclusion of the conference. Had lunch alone. Had coffee breaks alone. No goodbyes at the end of the day.
Went home that night, utterly confused and despondent. It felt like my life was over, but worse, I didn’t really understand why. Except that I knew I had been declared non grata - unwelcome! - by one and all, friend and stranger, ally and opponent,
And there was nothing I could do about it.
* * * * *
I asked my parents if my daughter could stay on with them for another day, and if they could drop her off to school the next morning.
Didn’t sleep that night. My phone didn’t ring once. I called a few of my friends. No one picked up the phone or answered my messages.
The next day was a work day.
Went to the office.
A stack of messages awaited me.
I ignored them, and tried to concentrate on a file.
My secretary walked in before long. She’d noticed I hadn’t used the phone yet.
“You haven’t called Ottawa yet?”
“Ottawa? No,” I said. “Why?“
“You haven’t looked at your messages, have you?”
She grabbed the stack, rifled through them, pulled out half a dozen, and slapped them in front of me.
“This fellow has been calling non-stop since yesterday morning. He wants you to call him, urgent, urgent!” She looked at me askance, and said: “What-Did-You-Do?”
I looked at the message on the top of the pile.
It was from the Office of The Minister for External Affairs in Ottawa. “Please call urgently!!!“’ it said.
“He didn’t sound happy when he called last. Call him … tout suite!”
Continued tomorrow …
Conversation about this article
1: Gurpreet Singh (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), June 13, 2012, 10:35 AM.
T. Sher Singh ji: this is a fascinating story.
2: Baldev Singh (Bradford, United Kingdom), June 13, 2012, 12:45 PM.
Goodness! It's like a suspense novel! And the subject the most disturbing ever! Shame on Mr Clark and his Government ... certainly not a proud chapter in Canadian history.
3: Dr. Pashaura Singh (Riverside, California, U.S.A.), June 13, 2012, 5:21 PM.
Sher Singh ji: I was sitting in that room and had witnessed the whole saga unfold before my eyes. You certainly roared like a lion (*sher*) at that moment. What I only partially understood at that time was your questioning of the extradition treaty signed by Canada's Minister of External Affairs, Mr. Joe Clark, with the Government of India. Now you have explained in detail the whole line of your questioning. Professor Milton Israel did try to calm you down by saying "Sher! Sher!..." but you would not give up at that moment. I was sitting with my Calgary colleague, Dr. Gurcharanjit Singh Attariwala who murmured later on that Sher Singh put the External Affairs Minister on the spot. Sardar Patwant Singh was stunned and kept quiet, but Dr. Darshan Singh Maini (who had come from India) whispered that Sikh-Canadians appeared to be more troubled than Sikh-Indians with respect to what had happened in 1984. Another colleague mentioned that what Sher Singh had done was to convey the Sikh community's feelings in the strongest possible terms. In retrospect, I can say that it was quite a scene to watch you confronting the Minister with your strong arguments for which he had no answer. He simply said: "I thought it was an academic conference ..." As you rightly say that it was an embarrassing moment for both the Minister and the organizers. As I read your remembrance of the whole saga at that conference I am fully convinced that most of the time the state officials do not understand the feelings of the Sikh community. They did not understand the worldwide Sikh reaction in 1984 and they do not understand the Sikh perspective even now. We should continue to raise our voice of protest as our Gurus have taught us.
4: Sangat Singh (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), June 13, 2012, 7:44 PM.
OMG this is the Zee serial script just when it reaches the bursting point, advertisement for tooth paste comes on for strong teeth. Thanks to Dr. Pashaura Singh ji's eye-witness account. This is like saying, Oh! I know the answer, I saw it on 'YouTube'. It is ahead of the pay channel. But, let's hear from Sher's mouth as the next 'fix'. This qualifies for an 'Oscar' nomination.
5: R. Singh (Canada), June 14, 2012, 2:19 PM.
It is a myth to say the state did not understand. Everybody understood then as they do now, from the State which wanted to cozy up to the Indians, to some so-called urbane Sikhs, the kind who would fawn over anything that would keep anyone from identifying them as one of the countrymen from the villages who drove taxis at any cost, simple enough to demand justice, even to the extent of denying their own existence. Was this not the attitude that led to millennia of slavery in the old country? Dr Pashaura Singh, with his association with the university, would know the mind-set of organizers who were time and again lauded as 'friends' of Sikhs, who were unappreciated by the supposedly ignorant Sikhs, who did not appreciate their patronizing attitudes as the only experts in the field? The callousness of some from India is legendary, more about promoting themselves and getting laurels, rather than admit to any real Sikh problem, lumping it all on Sikhs in Canada! I have come across these types of people who actually sit and laugh at the anguish of fellow Sikhs, these resident sycophants are the reason that questions were not asked and are not answered. What is being narrated here is not surprising, but it presents someone who has penned down feelings of Sikhs who do not decorate chairs in universities or run circles corridors of embassies, who are merely seeking answers.
6: Pashaura Singh (Riverside, California, U.S.A.), June 14, 2012, 8:39 PM.
Thanks, R. Singh, for your informed response. I really appreciate your comments. First, I will wholeheartedly agree with your observations that you have made about 'resident sycophants' and 'the callousness of some from India' who have promoted their own selfish interests. Much like your own experience, I have seen such people from close quarters. We cannot do anything about them. They will always be there. Sher Singh has described his bitter experience with his own 'friends' who were not able to stand by him at crucial moments. What is most interesting is his courage of conviction to keep going even if he has to do it all by himself. Second, state officials have to protect their interests. When those interests are openly challenged, they listen to the voice of even marginal groups like Sikhs in Canada. Sher Singh's style of working can succeed only in Canada, not in a country like India. This has to be kept in mind when we carefully look at his narrative. He is very much aware of his own training in Canada in his legal profession. That is what has made him the kind of person he is. Not every Sikh can dare to speak like him. The elite group within the Sikh community is always concerned about protecting its own so-called 'prestige' all the time. They cannot take any risk. Third, our community has evolved from the experiences of 1980s and 1990s. Finally, I understand very well how academics in positions of power (or chairs in the universities) have to work really hard to maintain their academic integrity and to win the respect of any religious/ ethnic/ group in the society at large. The establishment of the Sikh Chair at UBC was the first step to which Sher Singh has alluded in his story. Now we have eight Sikh Studies Chairs established in North America. This is a great achievement of the Sikh community.
7: N. Singh (Canada), June 14, 2012, 8:51 PM.
That room, by all accounts, was full of "scholars" and dignitaries. Let's get beyond the lay-persons ... how come the academics and the literate glitterati - Sikh and non-Sikh - remained mute? Shame on them all!
8: A.J. Singh (San Francisco, California, U.S.A.), June 15, 2012, 11:41 AM.
"Stand up for what you believe, even if you are standing alone." Thanks for doing what you did. There is a time when the efforts of all activists and revolutionaries are shunned or ignored. Then, one day, they are celebrated. Let the parasitic opportunists and fair-weather friends be.