DURHAM: N.C: The congregation of The Sikh Gurdwara Temple of North Carolina has expressed concern about the frequently occurring human right violations in India.

A recent incident in Bidar, a small town in the State of Karnataka, is the most recent indication of the problems that face the minority communities in India.

‘The incident took place in Guru Nanak Engineering College at Bidar, where Sikh students were brutally beaten by Hindu mobs. At least six students were killed and thirty are still reported missing.

Tragically, this incident was not reported by any of the government news agencies or the United Press of India for several days. The public was informed of this tragedy by a report that appeared in Ajit, a privately owned newspaper, published in Punjab.

This incident in Bidar and the massacre of Sikhs in 1984, following the death of Prime Minister of India, bare a disturbing resemblance to each other. More Specifically, the attack on Sikhs ‘was premeditated, culprits remained absconded and victims did not receive any relief from the government agencies, the press did Not report the full account of the incident and finally, government Officials turned deaf ear to the hue-and-cry of the innocent victims appeal for relief.

Both the incident and the circumstances following the incident raise questions of safety of Sikhs in India. Unfortunately, Sikhs have to fear for their life and property not only outside the state of Punjab, but also in the state of Punjab. According to recent reports Sikh youths are being handed and killed by government appointed gangsters.

The sangat (congregation) of the Sikh Gurdwara (Temple) of North Carolina, passed four resolution and two appeals on October 9, 1988, concerning the Bidar incident and the issues facing Sikhs in India.

RESOLUTIONS

  1. We condemn the killing of Sikh students and destruction of property in the town of Bidar, at the hands of communal mobs.
  2. We condemn the United Press of India for failure to report this tragic incident in a timely manner.
  3. We condemn the Central and State (Karnataka) Governments for failure to protect the life and property of Sikh community in the so called “secular India.”
  4. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families of those who lost their dear ones and suffered loss of property in this incident.

APPEALS

We urge you to use your influence, in any way possible to bring to the notice of the concerned authorities as well as all those who care about human nights, present issues facing the Sikhs in India. We make the following appeals:

  1. We urge that the Central and the State Government of Karnataka officials to order and Independent investigation into the events at Bidar and bring the guilty to justice.
  2. We urge the religious and political leaders of the world to take notice of this and other similar communal events in India and exercise their influence in any way possible to protect the basic human rights (guaranteed by the constitution of India) of the minority communities in India.

Article extracted from this publication >> November 4, 1988