The U.S. Congress last week witnessed one of the more notable and worthy debates on an issue of critical importance both to the free civilized world and the Sikhs.

On June 29, Congressman Wally Herger (Yuba City, California) moved an amendment to Suspension of Foreign Assistance to India on the grounds of India’s brutal and uncivilized policies towards its minorities especially the Sikhs, close relationship with the Soviet Union, diversion of the US economic aid to communist backed regimes like Nicaragua and the bullying of its smaller neighbors Nepal, Sri Lanka and Maldives etc.

After a robust and exciting debate the House carried the amendment by a voice vote. However upon an intervention by Congressman Solarz the amendment was later found to have been lost by a narrow margin of 204 to 212 with 16 abstentions.

Although the amendment was lost it may be noted that 204 congressmen appreciated the plight of the Sikhs in Punjab and recognized the duplicities and negative policies of India towards its tiny neighbors, and in relation to the U.S. in favor of the Soviet Union. We urge our readers to read the full text of the proceedings published in this paper.

We are thankful to stalwarts like Wally Herger, Dan Burton, John Porter and many others who stood up for what is factually correct and morally right. They were under immense pressure from the Indian Government the Hindu lobby, and the Indian business interests, to drop their support for the movement which is endeavoring to end the continuing Sikh tragedy. They discarded subtle and not so subtle threats from the Indian government that by supporting the amendment the Congressmen were jeopardizing their reelection prospects.

We urge all our readers to study the list of the supporters and opponents of the Wally Herger amendment and take that into calculation when participating in 1990 elections. Also we need to educate those Congressmen who unfortunately were misled by the Indian propaganda blitzkrieg so that the next time they can vote in a more informed manner.

The Sikh struggle in Punjab is long and arduous one. History informs us that a movement that aspires to break the shackles of tyranny and that seeks to march ahead towards the glow of freedom, liberty, equality and justice, is invariably a long drawn one. So be it with the Sikh struggle. We have come a long way and have a difficult portion ahead. In the spirit of Chardi Kala we should continue to strive forward so that evil wanes and good prevails.

The Congressmen have done their bidding for the present. We need to organize a mass grassroots effort to educate, inform, support and work for the Congressmen, the Americans at large, the media, the academic world, the Churches, and all those interested in ensuring a fair and free world. And this can be done only if we are united in our purpose, if we stop undermining our own efforts and if we keep reminding ourselves that ultimately truth shall prevail.

Article extracted from this publication >>  July 7, 1989