Khalistan House, London Press Release
London — A peaceful demonstration was held on 5th of June 785, to commemorate the invasion on Golden Temple by the Indian Army. Thousands of innocent men, women, children and pilgrims were massacred by the Indian Army during the assault, so called The Operation Blue Star.
A flag was burnt by young children to protest against the atrocities committed by the Indian Army during this operation. It was also done because the Indian Army had burnt the religious flag, the Holy Book and destroyed the holy Akal Takhat.
The Indian Government has been putting a lot of pressure on the British Government to suppress the legal and constitutional movement of Sikhs in Britain. It will be of interest to note that the Indian Government had cancelled the deal of the purchase of Westland helicopters simply to exert more pressure on the British administration. Though the demonstration was very peaceful and there was no untoward incident or obstruction of traffic as a result of this demonstration. But the Police arrested two young boys aged 14 and 17, in spite of the pleading by the senior Sikh leaders that the youth had done nothing to disturb the peace or to instigate any sort of violence. The police went in for prosecution and Mr. Rupinder Singh Mangat was fined f 50 by the Bow Street Magistrate Court. The other youth Mr. Khella was however cautioned by the juvenile court.
As a result of this prosecution an appeal was filed in the Crown Court, Southwark, and London. The accused, Mr. Mangat, was represented by Singh & Choudry Soliciters and Council for the accused was Mr. Eugene Cortman.
After hearing the lengthy arguments and considering the evidence of the prosecution the Honorable Court acquitted the accused Mr. Mangat and awarded the cost of appeal against the police. It will be of great interest that the accused was even refused the Legal Aid to go in for the appeal.
The Khalistan Council is of the view that the British administration is bowing to the pressure of Indian Government just for the political business reasons. The Sikhs are a peaceful people and they don’t believe in unnecessary violent activities.
The First Secretary, Mr. B. L. Joshi, of the Indian High Commission who was produced as prosecution witness could not cite any provocation or Breach of Peace or Insulting Behavior by the Demonstrators.
It will also be of interest to know that Indian Government took a great deal of pain to give publicity in India through the government controlled media and also the Minister of State of India made a statement regarding this prosecution in the Parliament. They also boasted about their victory that they have succeeded in pressurizing the British Government.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 27, 1985
