We the Sikhs of U.K. of the attached list of Sikh institutions and as assembled here on June 12, 1994 respectfully ask Prime Minister John Major Prime Minister of Her Majesty’s Government this day the 12th June 1994 to take note that,
We condemn the killing of innocent pilgrims and the desecration of Sri Harimandir Sahib Complex Amritsar in June 1984 by the forces of the Indian Government We further condemn the violations of human rights by the Indian Government and its agencies and the continuing illegal detentions torture and extrajudicial executions in Punjab and other regions of India We ask the Prime Minister to take note of the reports on Punjab by the United Nations and international human rights organizations particularly Amnesty International and Asia Watch.
We express concern al the Indian Government’s refusal to allow independent investigations of human rights violations in Punjab. We ask Her Majesty’s Government to urge upon the Indian government to allow international human rights organizations to investigate independently in Punjab
We wish to point out to the Prime Minister that Britain has a special responsibility in the Sikh India Situation since Britain was an active party and witness to the agreements between the Sikhs and the Indian leaders in and before 1947.
The Prime Minister will be aware that it was under these agreements which guaranteed constitutional Safeguards for the Sikh Homeland that the Sikhs had entered the Union of India. These agreements were unilaterally reneged on by Successive Indian Governments and the Sikh Homeland has been violated We ask Her Majesty’s Government to honor the Sikhs right to national self-determination as was recognized before 1947 by Great Britain.
We wish to point out to the Prime Minister that there are many Sikhs in the United Kingdom whose views on the resolution of the Sikh India conflict are contrary to the position of the Indian we are concemed that they are no permitted to go on pilgrimage to the Golden Temple. We ask the Prime Minister to actively take the issue of undeniable access for Sikhs to go on pilgrimage to the Golden Temple irrespective of the individual’s political opinion.
We draw to the prime minister attention that Sri Akal Takhat Sahib was established as a Sovereign institution of the Sikhs. We urge the Prime Minister to the Indian Government to recognize and respect the Universal Sovereignty of Sri Akal Sahib to the Sikhs throughout world.
Sikhs of United Kingdom Int. Sikh Secretariat
Article extracted from this publication >> June 10, 1994
