We are reproducing the concluding part of an exclusive interview with Dr. Iqbal Singh by John Katz on 860 KTRB Radio Modesto. The interview was relayed on June 4th, 1989. Dr. Iqbal Singh throws light on Sikh religions and political problems. We are thankful to John Katz for providing an opportunity to present the facts to his listeners.
JOHN: I want to lay out a scenario for you. During the Vietnam and Korean Wars I know that communist regimes had soldiers dressed out in the uniforms of our allies the South Koreans and S. Vietnamese who went and committed acts of murder mayhem rape. The blame for which was put on S. Vietnamese and South Korea troops. This was also done in Nicaragua by the Sandinistas and the atrocities were blamed on the Contras. Is it possible in your country that the Indian government committed acts of terrorism and then blamed it on the Sikhs?
IQBAL: Yes, there is positive evidence to this the New York Times, London Times, the Indian Express, and India Today, I have myself studied and researched these documents very thoroughly, carried these reports conclusively proving that India’s intelligence agencies have been Smuggling weapons from Pakistan and they have even been able to smuggle shoulder mounted anti-aircraft missiles which were placed among Sikhs to tell the people that the Sikhs were carrying these weapons. They were also caught raising an army called the Red Brigades by the government. These men were given passports and identification card but were hired killers whose task was 10 create terror and confusion by killing innocent people even women and children. One of them has even been arrested. His name is Kala and he has confessed to his misdeeds, And the Punjab Governor when confronted with this evidence confessed that this had been done. But now they were disbanding this force. It is very much on the record and the government of India say they are banning this force. Whether they have done so or not nobody knows but this evidence is very much there. I would like to tell you this was the propaganda whipped up on the radio and TV in India. They are creating hatred against a community. They are painting a wrong picture “both in site and outside the country. There is evidence for all this. JOHN: Dr. within each country or each government there are individuals willing to sell out their own countries for special favors or rewards to some Sikhs in India in order to divide and conquer.
IQBAL: Absolutely. This is an age old Machiavellian technique that when the opposition is strong the weak will apply divide and rule and the only way to do this is to create dissensions within the community. There always will be such people who will sell their soul either out of misplaced loyalty or a proper lack of understanding or Jor simple financial reward. We are aware of this. History is replete with such incidents. And Sikhs have also unfortunately experienced a similar state of affairs.
JOHN: Doctor, I would like to ask you about something which happened in this country and not your country on January 27 this year. The FBI arrested two Sikhs in New York on an international warrant issued by the Indian government. Sir, I thought I knew a lot about my country and the constitution of the United States, how could the Indian government issue a warrant in this country and have the FBI arrest citizens from your country?
IQBAL: That is very interesting, I think what must have happened though I am only speculating is that INTEROPL International police pass on information on to each other and the Indian secret service must have passed on some information about these boys so that they were arrested. But this is unfortunate and must not happen in a free society like the USA. It is regrettable.
I would also like to tell you John, that these two Sikhs that you refer to are not the only ones, Many have been arrested. Once they have been arrested they are sought to be extradited to India to face certain charges. Indian government has been pushing this case very strongly and an attorney general’s representative in New Jersey where they were arrested tried to get them extradited. And this attorney a young lady an attorney of the US government and the judge received threatening letiers. Both letters were intercepted of course. But the judge was very upset that the “Sikh Terrorists” were trying to threaten him. That if you extradite these Sikhs you will face serious consequences. So this young lady the lawyer for the attorney general and judge were very much offended by the Sikhs, Later the FBI found that these letters were actually faked by the lady herself. This shows how much Interference is taking place inside the US govt.
JOHN: I want to know what we can do. There has been a bill in the House of Representatives in support of human rights of the Sikhs and to stop all aid and to trade with Gandhi’s India government. What do you think of this HR 1067.
IQBAL: think it is a very positive action, being taken by the U.S Congress. 1 feel it will strengthen democratic institutions and processes not only in India but in therest of the world if it forces India to rectify its misplaced policy. I think it is an excellent move and [think it needs to be supported fully. Of course, the Indian government is trying to project this bill as antiIndia, I don’t think it is antiIndia, It is anti-only a certain policy and if that policy 1S wrong there is nothing wrong in rectifying that policy.
JOHN: Dr. I want to thank you very much. May God bless you and your efforts. May God bless the Sikhs. I wish your country well and your religion freedom. Thank You.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 25, 1989
