The western world especially America needs to take a closer look at the internal affairs of India. India has repeatedly blocked attempts of independent human rights agencies to investigate the genocide being systematically carried out against the Sikhs and Kashmiris claiming such actions would amount to interference in its internal affairs In the new world order President Bush promises after the current crisis in the Persian Gulf is over there is a pressing need to restructure India as well.
Simranjit Singh Mann’s offer to help the allied forces in the Gulf stems from a genuine desire of the Sikhs to join the ranks of independent and democratic nations. Alas so far the Sikhs are alone in an unequal and unfair struggle. Attempts to rouse public opinion against the mass murders of Sikhs have not proved entirely successful so far in this country thanks largely to Indian propaganda and lobbying efforts. Yet the Sikhs have not despaired and their friends in the U.S. Congress are making valiant efforts on their behalf. Congressman Dan Burton is soon going to reintroduce HR4641 which seeks to stop US developmental aid to India unless it lets Human Rights monitors into Punjab.
The reactions to Mann’s offer are interesting to note. The government is being urged to drop the talks offer made earlier to the militants because Sikhs want to help American imperialists.
The lack of interest in the suffering of third world peoples in the so-called civilized western democracies is amazing. The furore kicked up by the killing of 12 persons in Lithuania by the army was hard to take for the Sikhs because no one has said a word far less lift a finger over the killing of at an average 20-30 Sikhs every day for the last seven years. Their holy places have been desecrated their culture and identity are under an attack which aims at obliterating Sikhism in India.
The claim and need for independence for Sikhs and the Kashmiris is now a matter of life and death not merely one of subjugation and repression.
India has begun to fall apart and it is only a matter of time before it breaks up into several nations But the corrupt Brahmin coterie in Delhi thinks it can hold a billion people together by terrorizing and murdering all dissenters.
Khalistan is a viable proposition. What it lacks in natural resources it can more than adequately compensate with hard work. There is no profession in which the Sikhs have not excelled. Khalistan would not be a liability on the West as most third world nations are. It would be a self-supporting and stable nation. As it is it was the model for other Indian states to emulate.
Khalistan would end the mutually destructive rivalry between Pakistan and India who can then better devote their time and resources in nation building. It will be a matter of just a few years for the Sikhs to build a proud and productive nation.
America has always been in champion of freedom in the world. It has sent its youth to far flung corners of the globe to back its convictions. Even today half a million Americans are fighting to liberate Kuwait to undo a terrible injustice.
We are certain that the American people will soon take note of the crimes being committed against Sikhs and other oppressed minorities in India. The Sikhs urge the US to raise its powerful voice in the UN and other world forums on their behalf. The Sikhs shall not be found wanting in gratitude for any help they get in winning their independence
Article extracted from this publication >> February 15, 1991