Special to WSN
DES MOINES, Iowa: A delegation of the Iowa Sikh Association lead by Mehar Singh and Dr. Harpal Singh Bal addressed the lowa Democratic Central Committee Meeting. The topic was “Violation of Human Rights of Sikhs in India.”
State Democratic Party chair Bonnie Campbell welcomed and introduced the Sikh speakers. Mehar Singh provided the background of the Sikhs in Punjab and outlined their contributions in India. He described the Sikhs as productive, honest, hardworking, and freedom loving people. He explained to the audience of about 100 people about the gross violation of very basic human rights of the Sikhs in India especially in Punjab. The people were alarmed to hear that Sikh youth are being killed in fake police encounters and the women are beaten and raped by the police. Indian government of Rajiv Gandlsi has hired hardcore criminals to kill “Sikh Freedom Fighters” and create an environment of panic. There is inhuman and brutal torture of Sikhs in India. Indian government has been spending billions of dollars to damage the creditability, history, religion and heritage of the Sikhs, Mehar Singh said. He cited Amnesty International reports and references from “Soft Target” to support his claims. The Sikh religion, heritage and culture are in grave danger in India, he said.
A delegation of the U.S. Congressmen Amnesty International Foreign Mediamen were not allowed to visit Punjab. “What is happening in Punjab is a serious threat to the American values i.e. Human Rights, Freedom Liberty,” he told the audience. He provided an update on the bipartisan, Indian Human Rights Bill HR 1067 in the Congress. Please contact your respective Congressman/Congresswoman and Senator to support this bill,” Mehar Singh requested the leading farm state people.
Democratic Party is a strong champion of human rights and freedom. So it must take an active lead to support the Sikh Freedom Fighters in India he urged the jastty leaders. Quoting Abraham Lincoln, “America is the last best hope on the earth for mankind.” Mehar Singh told very serious and active participants that “America is the last hope for the Sikhs in their quest for freedom and liberty in India.”
Dr. Harpal Singh Bal explained to the leading Democrats about the “true picture” of the so called worlds largest democracy,” where the country’s own citizens are killed to win elections. He asked the people to support cutting of American tax payers money to India as it is supporting and giving aid to the communist regime of Afghanistan and other communist countries. The American aid to India further violates the “American tax payers money should not be given to a country that kills its own citizens, violates very basic human rights and makes hostages of its own citizens for political end, Dr. Bal explained.
Bonnie Campbell thanked the Sikh delegation and appreciated it for providing very valuable input on the violation of American values in India. The Sikh delegation promised the State Democratic Party to support it and participate in various future activities. The presentation was well received by the audience.
Towa Sikhs have been actively working with the American media, and the State Republican and Democratic Parties, Amnesty International, United Nations Association of USA, Committee on Foreign Affairs, lowa Peace Institute and other American Organizations, to bring to the world’s
notice the war being fought in Punjab.
Anyone interested to know of contacts for the above organization in other parts of the U.S. may contact: Mehar Singh, 4843 70th Place, Des Moines, Iowa, 50322, 5152700201.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 22, 1989
