VANCOUVER, 24 Jun 2004
NRInews Services
On Thursday, Air India trial heard more evidence , that
one of the accused Air India bombers did not call for the killing of
Hindus.
Kotli, (Translator ) faced questioning about a Punjabi-language
speech one of the accused, Ajaib Singh Bagri, delivered 20 years ago
in New York. Bagri gave a fiery address to hundreds of Sikhs gathered
at Madison Square Garden in 1984. Sikhs from all over North America
came to the meeting to discuss their anger over the Indian government's
raid of the sacred Golden Temple in Amritsar, India, the month before.
The Crown contends the speech illustrates the depths
of Bagri's hated toward India and his desire for revenge. Prosecutors
say Bagri participated in the 1985 bombing plot because Air India is
the country's national airline.
An interpreter for the Crown testified in last December
said, Bagri's speech called for the killing of thousands of Hindus and
the hijacking of planes.
Gian Singh Kotli told the court Bagri made references
to deadly events in Sikh history during his speech, but didn't call
for anyone to be killed. The defence witness testified Bagri's tone
conveyed anger at the Indian government but didn't suggest killing anyone.
Kotli also said Sikhs considered Hindus their brothers and a Sikh wouldn't
kill a brother.
Gian Singh Kotlii cautioned against adopting the literal
meaning of Bagri's words. He said the phrases he used in the New York
speech contain many metaphors with references to Sikh history and martyrdom.
He will be cross-examined on Friday.