On December 10, 1988, United Nations adopted the Human Rights Charter. While many nations have lived up to the spirit of the Charter there are others who have continued gross violations of the Charter. India, the “largest” democracy of the world is one among the few on top of the list for such disrespect and History has violated the charter in more than one way.
Over 40 years ago, a new period in India’s history began. Nearly 200 years of British domination in India and 100 years rule in Punjab had finally ended. India’s political leaders congratulated themselves on a job well done but they were not the real heroes.
Comprising only 2 percent of India’s population, the Sikhs sacrificed heavily for this cause of independence. Over 90 percent of those who lost their lives to gain self-rule from the British were Sikhs. Over 80 percent of all persons arrested for peaceful demonstration were also Sikhs. When the news came that their struggle had at last proven fruitful, Sikhs were overjoyed. They trusted that they might finally be able to enjoy “the glow of freedom” and special status promised to them in letters and speeches by Mr. Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi. Today, Sikhs all over the world are in grief and untold suffering. The leaders who had promised dignity, justice and freedom to the courageous Sikhs have left a parade of broken promises and oppression which has increased in severity through the passage of time.
Sikhs everywhere have tried various methods to inform the world of the oppression and religious persecution of minorities occurring in India. We have attempted peaceful demonstrations, press conferences, delegations to the U.N. and other relevant organizations. Yet still continues the desecration of our holiest places of worship, gang rapes, routine jailing without bail or even being charged, arrests without warrants and other blatant violations of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. These acts have been directly linked to the Government of India and its agents by independent bodies like Amnesty International.
In spite of all this, the response from the. Democratic countries have been pathetic. Trade agreements appear to buy out human dignity, justice and rights. With very few exceptions, members of parliament, senate, congress and heads of state and province have shut their eyes and ears. They have been taken in by the massive campaign of disinformation conducted by India’s government controlled media and diplomats.
Gian Singh Sandhu President W.S.O. (International)
Since May 1984, the free press, International Red Cross, Amnesty International, basically any independent humanitarian body has encountered nearly insurmountable barriers trying to facilitate flows of factual information from the Punjab. There are bans on in-depth and independent investigations of the human rights abuses and oppression suffered by the Sikhs.
The Amnesty International points out “Indian police have killed scores of Sikh activists in staged encounters.”
“Dozens of prisoners are dying in police custody across the country after being tortured.” “Official failure to clamp down on lawlessness by India’s national and state security forces.” “Actions taken against them (Sikhs) has transgressed international human rights standards” The extensive variance in the cultured and religious diversity of the different regions of India makes it difficult for an outsider to comprehend the full complexity of the problem. The Prime Minister of India and his cabinet cannot even speak to the majority of the peoples of India in their own language. The people of India continue to suffer religious and social violence from the dominant rulers although the government has always presented India as a secular democracy. Common in the “secular democracy” are major conflicts such as those between the dominant government rulers and Bengalis in Assam, Moslems in Bombay, Telegus in Andhra Pradesh, Untouchables in Gujarat and Sikhs in Punjab. The oppression of the Sikhs is not less, in many ways, then the oppression of blacks in South Africa. Yet, western politicians remain mute and largely compliant as Sikhs are persecuted, tortured and indiscriminately killed by government officials, military and police. It is this tyranny which is largely responsible for the escalating violence in Punjab.
The World Sikh Organization appeals to the people of the western world to rise up and point out to their leaders and government that there must be full and independent investigations into the atrocious human rights violations initiated and committed by the government of India, especially in Punjab. We ask you to support imposing trade sanctions against India. Every time someone’s rights as a human being are abused, we all suffer a loss of dignity for allowing it to happen without a fight. There is power in numbers and we are all responsible for exercising those powers. Add your voice to the thousands screaming for equality and freedom. Those in India who struggle for genuine in dependence, dignity and respect need you.
Gurcharan Singh Dhillon President W.S.O. (U.S.A.)
Article extracted from this publication >> January 6, 1989
