‘The perfectly-timed series of arrests in England, Canada and U.S.A of Sikhs allegedly for plotting violent offensives against Indian leaders and government installations do not conform to the construction or character of a coincidence, The circumstances attending the arrests are such that inescapably point to a sinister design, especially in view of the fact that most of the arrests have been made on the basis of information supplied by the Indian Intelligence agencies. Curiously no incriminating material or corroborative evidence has been produced in any case. Police and Intelligence wings appear to be proceeding on the strength of manipulated tape recordings or disjointed phone conversations.
Still the process of arrests goes on unabated even though police have, so far, miserably failed to substantiate their charges in cases which were exposed to judicial scrutiny. From the wholly contrived evidence produced in the case of Dr. Gurpartap Singh Birk of New York, the compelling suspicion about F.B.I’s connivance in framing brilliant computer scientist cannot be easily dismissed. In the words of his Attorneys, William Kunstler and Ronald L. Kuby, ‘‘a perusal of the transcripts reveals a wholly indecent scheme by government agents to provoke a grief-stricken young Sikh into agreeing to the murder of Prime Minister Gandhi, so that he could be prosecuted.”.
The sordid game has so vitiated the climate that even eminent Sikhs having professional distinctions and enjoying wide social recognition often find themselves in awkward situations and have to face suspicious stares. The indiscriminate arrests have generated an atmosphere in which most Sikhs have begun to feel apprehensive of air travel. Who knows at what corner some prowling sleuth from Scotland yard or F.B.{or R.C.M.P, may help his country to strike a profitable trade bargain with India or just to show that their government is not sympathetic to the ongoing Sikh persecution in India.
It is a pity that the free world is swallowing all the trash that Indian Government is feeding them about the situation in Punjab in particular the fate of minorities in general. For a proper appreciation of the recurring tragedy under fundamentalist Hindu rule, it is necessary to rise above trade interest. Sikhs would sincerely welcome Western World’s improved trade and political relations with India, but it certainly beats them that they should be led to the sacrificial altar every time Indian rulers seek appeasement through Sikh blood.
In this context it would be worthwhile that all Sikh leaders and organizations should dissociate themselves with all kinds of violent activity in these countries. They should condemn International Terrorism as well as State Terrorism in every form. If at all some misguided individuals are really involved in plotting violence, it is , indeed a grievous matter and grievously they must answer it. There should be no compromise with or condoning of such elements as they not only hurt the Sikh cause but also, unwittingly, serve as tools of the Indian Government. No Sikh with even a casual commitment to the freedom of his community can encourage, much less, in activities detrimental to his cherished cause. Whereas should discourage violent elements, if any, among themselves, it is equally necessary that current practice of appeasing the Indian Government by which-hunting Sikhs should also stop forthwith. Instead the free world must exert their influence to ensure an honorable life for the persecuted Sikhs of India.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 27, 1986
