DORNAN Of California: Mr. Speaker, rise today to bring to the attention of my colleagues an unfortunate situation in the Punjab Province of northern India. I say unfortunate because there have been various reports detailing barbaric accounts of bloodshed between Hindus and Sikhs. It appears that extremists on both sides have given rise to tremendous suffering.
Here in the United States we have read many confusing newspaper accounts about terrorist attacks, reprisals, counter reprisals. It does seem clear to me, Mr. ‘Speaker that the entire Sikh community is being unfairly swept with the broad brush of terrorist stigma. Clearly, to destroy the image of some 15 million Sikhs throughout the world is unjust.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, I am concerned about a backlash of Hindu sentiment against Sikhs which can only foster further abuses of human rights and suffering, For example, last year nearly 500 Sikhs were killed in rioting by Hindu mobs after assassination of Indira Gandhi. Less than 1 month ago, some 25 Hindu paramilitary troops were charged with beating Sikh policemen and freeing Hindu militants from jail in Amritsar, India. In fact, the Washington Post just a few days ago, on July 14, related atrocities committed by roving gangs of Muslims and Hindus. The article details an incident in which an angry crowd burned two young Muslim men in their hospital beds.
Mr. Speaker, the situation in the Punjab Province of India is serious and appears to be intensifying Atrocities on both sides damage the legitimate interests and efforts of moderates. Let the bloodshed cease! I implore both sides to stop this self-defeating violence and urge this country to intensify its efforts to miligate further bloodshed.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 10, 1986
