Journalist: Mr., Ambassador, Indian government keeps repeating the charge that Pakistan is training and arming Sikh freedom fighters. Pakistan is also blamed for sheltering Sikhs who are declared proclaimed offenders.
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: The charge is based on the so called confessions made by some of the arrested freedom fighters.
Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist: How is it no Sikh freedom fighter has so far been convicted on the charge of receiving training and arms from Pakistan? Is it because no Pakistani arms were ever recovered from the arrested persons and the so called confessions were actually the documents that victims were tortured into signing?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, Akali leader, Mr., Haran’s Singh (Grumman’s two sons are rotting in Jodhpur jail and are charged with ‘waging war against India. Sometime back his third son was killed by unknown gunmen and police blamed freedom fighters for his murder.
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: Now a devout follower of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Jathedar Amar Singh has been shot dead, Police have again put the blame on the Sikh freedom fighters even though two sons of the Jathedar are rotting in Indian jail for fighting for the identity of their religion.
Ambassador; Very correct.
Journalist; Don’t you think the murders of Mr. Ghuman’s son and Jathedar Amar Singh have been engineered by the Indian government agents who want to discredit the freedom fighters and also create divisions among their ranks?
‘Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose…
Journalist: Mr. Ambassador, Indian government has decided to amend its Citizen’s Act to check the infiltration of large number of aliens from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, etc. in the country as it may have the effect of disturbing the political balance.
Ambassador: That’s right.
Journalist: According to Home Ministry’s draft bill, it may not be enough to be born in India, A child born to an illegal entrant will not be entitled to Indian citizenship.
Ambassador: Very correct.
Journalist: Don’t you think, the amendment is being made to satisfy the Assam agitators who want to drive Muslims out of the state? Why can’t amendments be made in the Constitution to satisfy the Legitimate Sikh aspirations? Is it because Sikhs are Sikhs and not Hindus?
Ambassador: Not in national interest to disclose.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 8, 1986
