Harassment of Sikhs.
DEAR EDITOR:
For quite some time, the Sikh settlers in the U.K. have been contacting me with disturbing stories of harassment at the Immigration Counters when they return to Britain after a brief journey abroad.
Till recently, I have been skeptical about these stories, considering them as exaggerated accounts by interested persons. I simply could not believe that, having been granted permission to settle in this country (after thorough vetting), a person could be treated with suspicion merely because he practices a different religion, uses different apparel or looks different because of unshod hair and flowing beard.
Personal observations, however, have not convinced me that this really is the case so far as the Immigration Counters at the ports of entry are concerned. I have seen that the Sikhs, easily recognized as such because of the religious symbols they wear and the religious suffixes of “Singh” or “Kaur” appended to their names, are picked out for more than usual questionings and searches, even if they hold British passports or evidence showing that they are lawfully settled in the U.K. These scrutinizes are especially harsh if they are returning, from Pakistan (after performing pilgrimage to the Sikh shrines in that country.)
It appears that the Immigration Officers tend to presume every Sikh a suspect till thorough scrutiny proves otherwise.
Till recently, I have been skeptical about these stories, considering them as exaggerated accounts by interested persons. I simply could not believe that, having been granted permission to settle in this country (after thorough vetting), a person could be
It is true that a struggle is going on in the Sikh homeland for exercising the right of self-determination and asserting the national identity of the Sikhs. It is also true that the Sikhs living abroad sympathize with and support those engaged in the struggle back home. But same is the case with people from various other countries—and Britain has the admirable reputation of being a haven for the oppressed, a welcoming host for those who are denied lifewithdignity in their own homelands.
Considering the fact that the Sikhs in Britain are committed to honor the British laws and do nothing to disturb the peace in the host country, their being singled ‘out for this harassment at the Immigration Counters is inconsistent with the British traditions— unless one may assume that it is aimed at pleasing the Government of India, whose injustices and atrocities triggered the present struggle in the Sikh homeland. I hesitate from making such an assumption.
I earnestly hope that this treatment is a case of misunderstanding of overzealous officials—not part of the Government policy towards Sikhs.
I appeal to the Home Secretary to take notice of the situation and issue instructions to the Immigration Officers to refrain from unnecessary harassment to the Sikhs.
Mr. G.S. GILL BIRMINGHAM. UK
Khalistan Vs Gurdwara Elections
DEAR EDITOR:
The way the Sikhs have demonstrated their “Jingoism’ recently during the Gurdwara Elections in London; and in Toronto and several other places, in not too distant past, it is not too difficult to picture the kind of “Khalistan’ we are in for, when it comes into being.
If crafty Hindus could not learn the doctrines of their religion and politics of the governance despite 500 years of subordination under the foreign yoke, the Sikhs,
Tam afraid, need to be under subjugation for at least twice as much a period to attain the semblance of a near perfect ruler. It is one thing to be killed in a frenzy of excitement and misguided “josh” and it is another to remain calm, judicious, and selfless and service minded, despite adverse provocation.
As once said by late Sir Mohammad Iqbal, if we do not behave as per the preaching’s of our Bani, we are doomed to be extinct from the pages of history, like many others who already have.
- Khalsa Golden. CO. 80401
Article extracted from this publication >> November 18, 1988
