WASHINGTON, DC: Congressman Dan Burton, an ardent champion of Human Rights accused India of practicing murder and torture on its minorities in the states of Punjab and Kashmir.
In a letter addressed to his colleagues he was sought their support to his bill HR 1519, called the “Justice in India Act” which was introduced by him in the House of Representatives.
He said, “Torture and ill treatment are widespread resulting in scores of deaths in police custody.” In his letter he said, “Freedom House marked the failure of democracy in India by rating the country as only “Partly Free” and he asked his fellow representatives to consider “Why did Freedom House remove India from its list of “Free States?” I call to your attention five Indian laws, so offensive to the common sense of justice, that Asia Watch has called for their immediate repeal” He then described each of them in his lengthy letter addressed to all Congressmen “Do democracies enact laws like TADA. Would Americans tolerate these laws? The laws targeted by the Justice in India Act include the following. Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA), the National Security Act (NASA), the Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act, the Armed Forces (Punjab and Chandigarh) Special Powers Act and Armed Forces Jammu and Kashmir) Special Powers Act The United Nations Human Rights Committee has condemned TADA as “disturbing” and “completely unacceptable” for falling far short of international standards for the protection of human rights. Reports indicate that as many as 38,000 Sikhs are held under TADA.
On March 30, the Mr. Burton introduced the “Justice in India Act” calling on India to repeal to its five unjust laws or face cuts in developmental aid. It requires the President to report to Congress within 60 days, whether India has repealed the five laws. “If it has not, all developmental aid will end.” The bill however exempts humanitarian aid programs for which the Clinton administration might request money.
The amount involved is $40 million in US developmental aid to India. The bill has been cosponsored by 28 Congressmen, whose names are: Democrats Gary Condit, Faleomavaega Eni F.H., Floyd Flake, Pete Garen, Richard Lehman, George Miller, Jim Moran, James Traficant, and Charles Wilson. Republicans William Baker, Christopher Cox, Randy Cunningham, Phil Crane, David Dreler, John Doolittle, Jack Fields, Wally Herger, Martin Hoke, Duncan Hunter, Peter King, David Levy, Ron Packard, Richard Pombo, Dana Rohrabacher, Gerald Soloman, William Zeliff.
- Gurcharan Singh the President of World Sikh Organization calls the “Justice in India Act” as landmark in fight for independence by the Sikh Nation which has been the greatest sufferer on account of the black laws of India. It is he said “One more step towards the goal of Khalistan.” The American law makers have been through the charade of India’s democracy. Dr, Gurmit Singh Aulakh, of the Council of Khalistan, calls the Justice in India Act a “bold and just move in defence of freedom and human rights.”
Article extracted from this publication >> April 9, 1993
