The Returned and Services League, Australia (RSL) is a support organisation for men and women who have served or are serving in the Defence.
In 1980s, Surjit Singh Gujral had a shocking experience at the RSL clubs near Strathfield- a suburb in the inner Western Sydney. He was denied entry to the club for wearing turban.
Mr Singh who came to Australia about 36 years ago is now pleased to see that his fellow turban wearers are seen with respect and honour at the RSL clubs and other places.
He told SBS Punjabi’s Preetinder Singh Grewal that there is a change in perception also as more and more Australians have access to the information related to Sikh and Indian martial contribution in Gallipoli and at other Anzac fronts.
“The news of RSL honoring the Sikh war heroes at Blacktown gives me a sense of relief.”
“A sense of respect now prevails for the turban wearing Anzacs or the Sikh war heroes from WW1. In 1980s, even I wasn’t aware of the stories of Sikh martial contribution to the Gallipoli campaign.”
“We had a long way to cover. In 80s, I was refused entry for wearing a turban. In 90s, a Woolgoolga based Sikh gentleman challenged RSL in court, and things changed thereafter.”
John O'Brien, Secretary, RSL – Blacktown told SBS Punjabi that they would welcome any Sikh/Indian Army Organisations in or around Blacktown for a wreath to be laid at the City of Blacktown RSL Dawn service in future.
“When you speak of ANZAC you natural assume Australia and New Zealand and Gallipoli but little is said about the Indian forces who fought alongside the Australian and New Zealand forces at Gallipoli, as apart from the British who were at Suvla Bay in an entirely different location,” said Mr O'Brien.
“The City of Blacktown have many former Indian ex-servicemen in our Sub-Branch and all Australian current and former ex-servicemen and women know too well the sacrifice made by India at Gallipoli.”
“There is a very large Indian community in and around Blacktown City and as I stated before we have quite several former Indian soldiers in our Sub-Branch and I cannot see why our numbers should not increase.”
“I would suggest that if there is any Indian Army Organisations in or around Blacktown then it would be appropriate for a wreath to be laid at the City of Blacktown RSL Dawn service in future.”
“The City of Blacktown RSL Sub-Branch would be more than proud and honoured to have a photo in our War Memorial Display.”
“Australia is now one of the most multi-cultural countries in the world today, and we have members in the Sub-Branch with the surnames of Tissawak and Mozafarri, both men are from Kuwait and are current serving servicemen with 18 years of service in the Royal Australian Air Force and four years of service in the Royal Australian Navy respectively, with both men having several deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.”
“Two of our current former Indian ex-servicemen have sons in the Australian Army and one former Indian ex-serviceman who also served with the Australian Army after his service with the Indian Army.”
“I have no doubt that in the near future the Australian Defence Force will have many men and women from Indian Origin and I believe that says a lot for the Australian Multi Cultural society we live in today,” added Mr O'Brien.
Manu Singh who is a regular visitor to RSL club in Blacktwon told SBS Punjabi that he is proud of his military Sikh heritage.
“To have a wall portrait showing Sikh/Indian military contribution means a lot for the community. We thank RSL-Blacktown for this special acknowledgement.”
“There is a greater need to spread information about the contributions of Indian and Sikh soldiers in Australia-NZ and elsewhere".
“It is important that we remember them, the fallen, who fought for this land and country,” said Mr Singh.
Anzac Day - The April 25 marks the landing of Australian and New Zealand (Anzac) troops in Gallipoli, a military campaign during WW1 which lasted eight months and claimed at least 125,000 lives.
