Congressional Record India imposes censorship order against Sikh Nation Hon, Peter T, King of New York in the House of Representatives Washington August 9, 1994

Mr. King, Mr, Speaker, India’s repression of the Sikh nation, Khalistan, continues, Indian news: papers have recently reported a top secret order by the Indian government which censors incoming Or Outgoing mail of all Sikh activist Organizations. Included in this are the Akali Dal, the largest Sikh political party in Indian-occupied Khalistan, and the Council of Khalistan.

The order states that “the Administrator (UT) Chandigarh is pleased to direct that all postal articles and telegraphic messages of any description whatsoever addressed to or emanating from” any of these organizations “shall be detained.” The order also orders the seizure of any mail to or from all “persons residing in Pakistan.” ‘This news was first reported by Sukhbir Singh Osan, Chandigarh correspondent for the Hitavada News, and English-language newspaper in central India. Now the Indian regime is prepping to bug Mr, Osan’s telephonic.

According 16 a report in the July 17issuc of The Statesman, a major Indian newspaper, in addition to the Sikh organizations, “10 senior journalists have been targeted for censorship.” The Statesman reported that “an Amritsar-based journalist, Mr. Shammi Sarin of the Sunday Mail, said today that he had received a threat.” This thin eat stemmed from his story re porting the beating of two sportswriters by the Punjab police. The sportswriters had written stories questioning the credentials of the Punjab police director K.P.S.Gill to be head of the Indian Hockey Federation, According to the Statesman article, the anonymous caller told Mr, Sarin that “writing against Mr. Gill and the Punjab police will cost you dearly.”

Another reporter, Monimoy Dasgupta of the Telegraph, also received a threatening phone call. “Don’t think that you can get away with writing anything you want,” the caller said. “There is such a thing as a road accident.”

Mr. Speaker, this kind of repression is all the worse in the face of India’s claim that there is peace in Punjab, Khalistan. If there is peace, then why does India need to resort to censorship and brutality?

On October 7, 1987, the Sikh nation declared its independence, forming the separate and sovereign country of Khalistan. The Sikh movement for independence is legitimate and justified, Yet India resorts to tactics like this censorship order, India is a polyglot of many peoples. For example, it has: 18 official languages. On July 4, Afghanistan recognized Khalistan’s independence, Liberty for the Sikh nation will be restored when Khalistan is free. By 1999, the Sikh nation will celebrate the liberation of Khalistan. It is time for India to recognize reality, It is time for India to end its occupation of Khalistan.

I am including a copy of this top secret censorship order for the Record.

Order

Whereas the Administrator (UT) Chandigarh is satisfied that this measure is necessary in the interest of public safety and tranquility.

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Subsection (1) of Section 26 of the Indian Post Office Act 1898 for censorship of Postal articles and by Section 5(2) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 for censorship of telegraphic messages the Administer a for (UT) Chandigarh, is pleased to direct that all Postal articles and telegraphic messages of any description whatsoever addressed to ‘or emanating from the:

(i) Akali Dals, Dal Khalsa, Khalsa Raj Party, National Council of Khalistan and their front organizations.

(ii) Central Coordination Committee of Local Gurdwaras & Sikh Institutions, Chandigarh:

(iii) ALS SP.

(iv) Sikh Lawyers Forum;

(V) Punjab Bachao Morcha;

(2) Office bearers, important members and important workers of Anand Marg and its branches;

(3) Any organization/person from whom danger to the security of the State/VIP;

(4) Person residing in Pakistan:

Shall be detained and forwarded to the Dy. Supdt of Police (CID) UT/Chandigarh and to authorize the Dy. Supdt of Police (CID), UT/ Chandigarh to return to the Postal/ Telegraph Authorities direct for delivery such Postal articles/telegraphic messages as arc intercepted in accordance with this Office Order which it is not necessary to contain permanently in the interest of public safety.

This Order is to remain in force for a period of six months with effect from the date of issue.

Article extracted from this publication >> September 2, 1994