India’s notorious ambassador to the United States Mr. Sidharath Shankar Ray whose hands are soaking wet with the blood of innocent Sikh men women and children visited Harford Conn on June 8 1994 to address a luncheon meeting of the local World Affairs Council. The Sikh Community of the Greater Hartford area organized a strong protest outside the luncheon place.

When Ray accompanied by his wife Mrs Maya Ray arrived they were greeted by the protestors with the slogans Butcher Ray Go Back Killer Ray Go Back Terrorist Ray Go Back Who is the Butcher S. S. Ray Khalistan Zindabad Long Live Khalistan and Sikhs Will Get Khalistan. Each of the protestors had signs carrying the pictures of Sikh Martyrs of June and November 1984 including those of Sant Jamail Singh Bhindranwale and Gen. Shahbeg Singh Ray and the party were shook up when the luncheon guests were handed the colored picture of tortured Bhai Avtar Singh Shatrana and the booklet Human Rights Violation in Punjab Under Mr Sidharatha Shankar Ray Published by the International Human Rights Organization. Some of the recipients were heard remarking It is pretty awful.

It must be mentioned that Mr. Ray was Governor of Punjab (also known as Khalistan) from 1986 until after the dismissal of the democratically elected state government of 1989 During his tenure the Indian Constitution (which was never signed by the Sikh representatives to the Constituent Assembly) was amended several times to enact the Draconian Laws which were subsequently used (and are still being used) to deprive the Sikhs of their fundamental Human Rights. He along with Julius Ribeiro the then D.G.P. of Punjab and with the active blessings of the then Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi Was also responsible for the murders of thousands of innocent Sikh men women and children (which unfortunately is still going on) in fake encounters.

The protest which started around 11:00 a.m. and continued to 2:30 p.m. when the luncheon party and guests left in the midst of Anti-Ray slogans. Dr. Manohar Singh Grewal and S Man pal Singh from Massachusetts also joined in the protest.

Amarjit S. Buttar

Vernon CT

Article extracted from this publication >> July 1, 1994