Expressing the sense of the Congress that the Sikh nation should be allowed to exercise the right of self-determination for the independence of their homeland, Punjab, Khalistan.

Whereas the Sikh nation declared independence on October 7, 1937, forming the separate country of Khalistan; Whereas India has refused to allow Amnesty International and other human rights organizations to conduct investigations in Punjab since 1978;

Whereas approximately 500,000 Indian security forces currently patrol the Sikh homeland under undeclared martial law; whereas freedom is universally recognized as the birthright of all nations;

Whereas self-determination is enshrined in Article 1 of the United Nations Charter;

Whereas in 1776 the American colonists exercised their right of self-determination by declaring their independence from England; whereas the Sikhs ruled Punjab from 1765 until it was annexed by the British in 1849;

Whereas Sikhs physically own 95 percent of the Punjab;

Whereas no Sikh nor any representative of the Sikh nation has ever Signed the Indian constitution; Whereas the Sikh people and the leading Sikh political party, the A kali Dal, boycotted elections under the Indian constitution on February 19,1992, to demonstrate their resolve for independence; Whereas members of the Akali Dal again declared their resolve to attain independence on April 13,1993 (Baisakhi Day); Whereas an independent Sikh homeland is economically, militarily, and politically viable;

Whereas Khalistan will serve as a buffer state between India and Pakistan;

Whereas Sikhs are committed to the principles of freedom, justice, and democracy;

Whereas an independent Sikh nation will help spread democracy and economic prosperity throughout all of South Asia, and Whereas the Sikh nation is the natural ally of the United States: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That is the sense of the Congress that(1) the Sikhs of Khalistan, like all peoples of all nations. Have the right to self-determination and should be allowed to exercise this right by pursuing the independence of their homeland, Punjab.

Khalistan: and (2) the United Nations should hold a plebiscite in the Sikh homeland so that Sikhs can determine for themselves, under fair and peaceful conditions their political future.

Article extracted from this publication >>  August 13, 1993