WASHINGTON, DG: President Clinton and powerful Members of ‘Congress has criticized India for violating the rights of the Sikh nation and other minority nations. “Human rights continue to be an important part of our diplomatic agenda with India,” President Clinton wrote in a response to Representative Dan Burton (RInd.) and Rep. Pete Geren (DTex.), who wrote an October7 letter calling for freedom for Khalistan, the Sikh homeland which was declared independent on Oct.7, 1987. The letter was signed by 35 Members of Congress from both parties. President Glinton’s response is in line with his December27, 1993 letter to Rep. Gary Condit (Dal.), in which he wrote, “It is clear that abuses still occur,” and #] share your desire for a peaceful solution that protects Sikh rights.” “Only a free and independent Khalistan will protect Sikh rights,” said Dr. Gurmit Singh Aulakh, President of the Council of Khalistan, the organization leading the Sikh struggle for freedom. “Talking about human rights isn’t ‘enough, As Jerry Solomon said on November 29, “Khalistan is the ‘only solution to the Punjab problem.” Rep. Gerald Solomon (RN_Y.) is the incoming chair ‘man of the House Rules Committee. Rep. Philip M. Crane (RII), a subcommittee chairman, echoed Solomon’s view. “It is time the United States takes action to support the independence of the Sikh nation ‘Crane said. Rep. Dan Burton (RInd.), who is expected to chair the South Asia subcommittee, said, “First, cut aid to India until it stops its brutal reign of murder, torture, and rape. Against the Sikh people. Second, pass a resolution supporting the Sikh nation’s right to a free and fair plebiscite on self-determination. Third, demand that India stop killing Sikhs and allow international human Rights organizations within its borders to conduct human rights investigations unencumbered by governmental interference.” in a December 7 letter to Indian Ambassador S.S. Ray, Rep. Frank Wolf(RVa.) wrote, “Government Repression against any ethnic group is wrong, and in my view, counterproductive to a functioning democracy. I strongly encourage You to use your good office to Protect the rights of all Sikhs who wish to freely and peacefully express their views and cease all government sponsored violence against them, I also encourage you to begin investigating potential wrongdoing by police officers in the Punjab region responsible for torture and murder and allow unimpeded investigations by international human rights groups,” Rep. Wolf added. Recently, a delegation from the Belgian Parliament was prevented from visiting Punjab, Khalistan to ‘obtain a firsthand view of the atrocious situation there, In addition, on November 10 the Tribune of Chandigarh quoted S.S. Manak, a Black Cat Commando in the Punjab police, as saying that he witnessed the ‘killings of 11 Sikhs for cash awarded by the Indian government. Rep. David Bonior (DMich.), the second ranking Democrat in the House, wrote to Secretary of State Warren Christopher that “Brutal crackdowns like we have seen in Punjab do not sow the seeds for future stability. This conflict must be resolved peacefully and democratically.”

“We are very pleased that such important American leaders are recognizing the brutal tyranny the Indian regime is inflicting on the Sikh nation,” said Dr. Aulakh. “These statements are further evidence that despite its bloody repression, India is destined to fall apart just as the Soviet Union did, With 18 official languages, it cannot hold together despite all its brutality, just as Dr. Jack Wheeler has predicted, India is the last vestige of the colonial era, “Dr. Jack ‘Wheeler of the Freedom Research Foundation, who foresaw the breakup of the Soviet Union, predicted in the June 29 issue of Strategic Investment that within 10 years, “India will cease to exist as we know [it]

“India’s obsessive fixation on its so called territorial integrity is simply a smoke screen for brutal oppression.” “If Ethiopia can accept an unsponsored referendum. For the independence of Eritrea, then why can’t India, the so called ‘world’s largest democracy,” kept a plebiscite in Khalistan.

“The Sikh nation is a separate entity which ruled itself from 1765 until 1849. No Sikh has ever signed the Indian constitution,”*he pointed out. “Freedom for Khalistan is inevitable and it is coming soon,” Dr. Aulakh said, “It is time for India to recognize reality and withdraw from Khalistan. It is time for America to stop rewarding repression with aid and trade.

Article extracted from this publication >>  December 16, 1994