CRISIS IN INDIA WORSENS
HON. BERNARD J. DWYER
OF NEW JERSEY
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Wednesday, September 16, 1987
DWYER of New Jersey Mr. Speaker, on several occasions over the last several months, I have taken to the floor of this Chamber to call the attention of this body to the tragic situation which exists in the Punjab region of India. As you know, Mr. Speaker, the Punjab is dominated by Sikhs, who have been involved in a long-running and deteriorating battle with the Indian Government.
It is difficult to report precisely what is happening in the Punjab. The Indian Government has imposed a virtual news blackout and limited traffic in and out of the region. But the reports which have filtered out are not good.
There are reports of fighting, riots and killings in this region. The violence which is ongoing in the Punjab should be of concern to all freedom-loving people. It is a tragedy which shows no signs of improvement. To the contrary, there is reason to suspect it could get worse.
In the face of this tragedy, the Indian government has seen fit to continually crack down on the Sikhs, to not respond to their grievances and to intensify political and martial pressure on them.
Responding to this 4-year siege, the high Sikh priests have now declared their independence from India. Yet, because of the major role which the Punjab region plays in the economy of India—it is its most productive agricultural region—it seems unlikely that the government could allow such a secession to occur if it is able to prevent it. The prognosis can only be more oppression, more bloodshed more death.
Each time that I have come before the House to discuss this issue, Mr. Speaker I have called for a laying down of arms and a greater dialog between the Sikhs and the Indian Government. That has not happened and the situation has gotten progressively worse.
As a representative of a congressional district in which both Sikhs and Hindus are making valuable contributions to the political, economic, and cultural life, I again urge my colleagues to be aware of this tragic civil war, of the death and destruction which has already occurred and to join with me in urging both sides to seek a negotiated settlement —one which will bring lasting peace and freedom to this troubled region.
