Voice for Khalistan Echoes in Capitol Hill

Washington – A leading Sikh group has gained access to the powerful corridors of the Capitol Hill with ultimate goal of seeking US lawmakers’ moral support for the creation of an Independent State for followers of Sikh religion, bifurcating, Indian Punjab, the Sikh majority state, The Daily Mail learnt.

When more than two dozen lawmakers announced formation of the first-ever Sikh American Congressional Caucus last week at the Capitol Hill, it was the presence of quite a number of individuals and representatives of organizations, who have always been openly supporting the cause of Khalistan, making everyone feel the importance and sensitivity amongst the Sikh to have an independent State, getting rid of the imposed Hindu rule.

"Sikhs who were present in the Sikh Congressional Caucus event in Washington were activists for the rights of Sikhs and were motivated by ideology of pro-Khalistan," said a prominent member of California-based North America Punjabi Association (NAPA).

A number of eminent Sikh American organizations say that as the courts back in India are now probing the riots of 1984 and the way the brutalities and ruthless killings of Sikhs by the Indian Security Forces during that era, which is by no means over yet, it becomes imminent for Sikhs to demand a separate and Independent State where they can live their lives with complete religious freedom and without any mistreatment on the basis of their religion or race.

These Sikhs, who also enjoy the support of the Sikhs, living in Canada and England in particular and from the rest of the world in general, say that the Capitol Hill is the best platform to gain support for this very legitimate and legal cause and they would continue to convince US lawmakers and policy makers to extend their support to this just cause.

They say that they do not support militancy for such purposes and that was why they had adopted the most democratic and most appealing way of gaining the moral support for their cause.

The Indian Embassy in Washington, which was not invited to this event, what many term as a historic one, has said it has always stood for the protection of the interests of all Indian Americans including members of the Sikh American community.

Insiders in the Sikh American community, who worked behind scenes for the creation of the Sikh Caucus, said that the Indian Embassy officials had expressed displeasure to the US lawmakers over the move.

An official of a New York-based Sikh advocacy group said, this was one of the reasons that none from the Indian Embassy were present at the launch event, which for the pro-Khalistan group is being billed as their major "diplomatic victory" against India after a long time.

However, the lawmakers, after the input by the Indian Embassy have asserted that the goal of this caucus is to address the issue of "hate crime" against the Sikhs US, as the community has been a major victim of it post 9/11.

"Rest assured, this platform will not be used against India. We are aware of the strategic importance of India-US relationship," a Congressional aide said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to the press.

Atrocities by Indian Government against Sikhs

Given below are some of the methods of torture, humiliation and atrocities used by Indian Government against the Sikhs (These have been mentioned by the Humanitarian Organizations and Amnesty International):

1. To interrogate the Sikhs, a round log of wood is placed on their legs, and after putting heavy weight on the log it is rotated on the legs.
2. Chilly powder is sprinkled in the eyes and sex organs of the Sikhs.
3. Sikhs are hung upside down from the ceilings till they became unconscious.
4. The body joints are battered.
5. Electric shocks are administered to the genitals making most of the youth impotent.
6. Sikh women, during interrogation, are hurt in their sex organs. Filthy abuse is showered on them.
7. Violence is inflicted on the parents in presence of their sons and daughters and vice-versa.
8. Brothers are forced to beat sisters and vice versa. Violence is inflicted on adult girls after stripping them naked and their sex organs are damaged. They are sexually assaulted; pregnancies are terminated of the expectant females.
9. The victims of inhuman violence are made to sit naked in winter and under the sun in summer kept sleepless for days in solitary cells.
10. Sikhs are subjected to severe beatings and filthy abuse in the presence of their village folks.
11. Dead bodies of Sikhs killed in fake encounters are not handed over to their parents to conceal marks of excessive violence
12. The state manipulates tailored post mortem reports from the doctors and burns the dead bodies of the Sikhs after falsely declaring them unclaimed.
13. All sorts of excesses are made on the parents of underground Sikh youths.
14. Indiscriminant atrocities are committed on the parents of the underground youth of the area where some militant action takes place.
15. Atrocities are committed without caring for one's age, health, life or death. If someone luckily survives such brutal excesses, it is well and good But if one dies while under "interrogation", then such a dead body is taken out, pierced with some bullets, and a news item is sent that a dreaded terrorist has been shot dead in an encounter.
16. Houses of underground Sikh youths are demolished, their belongings are looted, crops destroyed, their tube well motors are taken away, and they are prevented from sowing crops.
17. False cases are registered against innocent Sikh youths, later they are let off taking fat bribe.
18. Press is used to launch vicious and false propaganda against the Sikhs.
19. Thousands of innocent pilgrims, children, females, aged people, who got encircled in the Golden Temple during operation Bluestar were made to die through starvation and thirst. The whole of Punjab was converted into a vast jail by clamping curfew on the entire area. The army bulletin branded all Amritdhaaree's as terrorists.
20. The injured during the attack on the Golden Temple were subjected to extreme partiality. Whereas every assistance and facility was made available to the injured army personnel, there was no such provision for the wounded belonging to the other side.
21. The number of prisoners taken was rather small. There is ample scope for doubt that the Indian army had thought it better to eliminate the thousands of people seized in the Golden Temple instead of taking them prisoners or having to provide them with medical assistance.
22. No need was felt to give a list of the dead to the Red Cross or any other International Agency.

Despite such atrocities, no commission was appointed to go into this dark episode. Even the Britishers, the foreign rulers, had cared to appoint the Hunter commission to inquire into the Jallianwalla Massacre which was of a much less magnitude on the other hand. The Indian government, on the other hand, took all steps to hide the excesses of the army.

Indian State Terrorism with Sikhs

Indian home ministers Sushil Kumar Shinde recently stated that they have clear reports that RSS, BJP camps are promoting Hindu terror in the country and outside too which is very dangerous.”RSS was behind Samjhauta, Makkah Masjid and Malegaon blasts 26/11 issue, LoC problems. BJP and RSS conduct terror with many training camps to spread terrorism; Bombs were planted in Samjhauta Express and Makkah Masjid and also a blast was carried out in Malegaon.” Considering this a serious security threat, “We will have to think about it seriously and will have to remain alert. “On one hand we are trying to bring peace with this country. We should also take very serious steps to save India against injustice to minorities. It is alleged that the anti-Sikh violence were conducted at the behest of the Congress party who actually instigated masses.

Terrorism is supported by Indian military in India. Terrorists are and have been supported inside by India for decades. BJP & RSS are full of anti-nationals. RSS and BJP are responsible for most of the riots in independent India. RSS and BJP must apologize for the wrong doings by kidnappings, abducting peoples also. They are spreading hate and venom against minorities and for Indian peoples also. Now when Interior Minister proves it RSS, BJP terror got active as usually, its times to take action against these to save India once again and provide safety for minorities.

Atrocities With Sikhs In India

Home Minister Sushil Shinde made the most atrocious statement at the Congress party’s Chintan Shivir at Jaipur: “Reports have come during investigation that BJP and RSS conduct terror training camps to spread terrorism.” adding that they stoked “Hindu terror”. This is not some off the cuff remark or a blooper. This was a carefully crafted speech. Because India inspired damage for Sikhs in all over the country, to completely demolish the Sikh community from India. India government supports the BJP, RSS parties to continue atrocities against Sikh community.

If BJP is conducting terror training camps why is the party not banned? Why is such a party allowed to contest elections and have representatives in various Assemblies and also the Parliament? While our media varnish debated Shinde’s Hindu terror comment they conveniently buried his comment about BJP and RSS promoting terrorism through their camps. In other words, the Home Minister of this country called some of his colleagues in parliament “terror sponsors”.

The Congress govt at the Centre has been in permanent denial over the true nature of terrorism. Willfully so! This denial comes from the fountain of Indian history that denies that religious terrorism was brought to this country from Islamic invasions.

If this barbarism continues in our country India than this will be awful for our country and disrespect will be extent in all over the world than nothing could be leaved for us. We have to watch our home first and safe for our peoples and minorities rather than indicating others.

Minorities Discrimination in India

Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde claimed that the main opposition parties in India, BJP and RSS are involved in terror activities in the country.

“The government has names of at least 10 persons associated with the RSS in bomb blast cases,” he said. Singh said that RSS was involved in Samjhauta Express, Mecca Masjid and Dargah Sharif blasts.

“Training camps of both the BJP and the RSS are promoting Hindu terrorism. Whether it is Samjhauta blast or Mecca Masjid blast or Malegaon blast, they plant bombs and blame it on the minorities,” he had said on the last day of the Congress Chintan Shivir in Jaipur. His comments were backed by External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid. “Our stated position is fully shared by the Home Minister. His statements are based on facts,” Khurshid told reporters.

This depicts the real face of fake democracy in India. The country which depicts itself the safest nation and the democratic as well is basically the terrorist nation. Our government should take some actions against these terrorist organizations.

Our government is totally failed in providing security to the citizens. Rapes, killings and atrocities with minorities are also at its peak. I feel ashamed for being an Indian. The proud which I had of being an Indian is no more.

Another big reality is that these two groups are also involved in recent rape incidents as well. The culprits were the terrorists of BJP and RSS and they have political background that is why no one can say anything to them. Though they are arrested but they will not get any kind of punishment and police will release them. Shame on us..!!!

Sikhs in our country are also not safe. Government and people are not giving rights to the Sikhs. It seems that BJP and RSS are behind this as well. They just want Hindus to flourish which is totally wrong. If we say that we are living in a democratic country, then we should prove it as well. Sikh women are being raped by BJP and RSS terrorists. There is no one in our country that raises voice for Sikhs. Instead of raising voice, they are disgraced in a bad manner. No one in our country listens to any kind of petition in a favour of Sikhs. This is really shameful for our country.

In short, we have training camps in our soil and instead of blaming other countries; we should do something to end these camps in our country if we want true democracy.

Atrocities of Indian Police on Sikhs

On Sunday February 12, 2012 Indian media reported that 35 year old ‘dreaded terrorist’ Kulwant Singh was in critical condition after having been admitted to hospital with over 50 per cent burns to his body.  Jail officials claim that Kulwant Singh attempted suicide while cooking.  According to the news stories, fellow inmates and jail officials refuse to comment any further on what happened.

Shockingly, this isn’t the first time Kulwant Singh has been admitted to hospital by the police, fighting for his life.  Those who have been following Kulwant Singh’s story know that this alleged suicide attempt is likely just another fabrication in a long list of lies that have been told by the Punjab Police to cover up ongoing illegal detentions and torture.

Background

The tragic story of how Kulwant Singh has suffered repeated and severe abuses of his human rights at the hands of the Punjab Police isn’t widely known.

On July 29, 2010 the Punjab Police announced the arrest of five ‘terrorists’.  Amongst the five arrested were Pal Singh, a French citizen and Kulwant Singh who was Pal Singh’s driver and domestic help.  According the Punjab Police’s official story, Kulwant Singh and Gurmukh Singh were arrested from the Amritsar bypass and after interrogation they revealed the names of Pal Singh and others.  Pal Singh was allegedly picked up from the Jalandhar bus stand on July 27th.

The only problem with the official story was that a Facebook page titled “Free Pal Singh” had been created on July 26 telling of how Pal Singh had been picked up on July 22nd and items such as his car, laptop and other belongings had also been seized.  Pal Singh’s daughter had also sent emails to the French Embassy on July 23rd and 24th reporting his abduction.  The Police story was clearly a fabrication.

Kulwant Singh’s Torture

News about this case next emerged on August 6, 2010 in a small story in the Times of India (TOI).  TOI reported that Kulwant Singh had been admitted to hospital, close to death, with kidney failure.  Doctors observed that he had been subjected to electrical shocks on his ears and genitals and had also been beaten in his abdomen with batons.  Pal Singh and the others who were arrested also report being tortured in custody.

Kulwant Singh survived.  He slowly recovered from his torture injuries and was returned to jail.  A case was registered against the officer responsible for his torture and that case was now moving forward.

Inconsistencies in the Punjab Police’s story about Kulwant Singh’s arrest in addition to his well documented injuries from torture are an embarrassment to the Punjab Police.  If Kulwant Singh’s case were to proceed it would expose the human rights abuses taking place in Punjab.

The reasons behind the arrest of Pal Singh, Kulwant Singh and others can only be speculated upon.  Pal Singh has suggested that he was targeted because of his opposition to the Badal government in Punjab and his efforts to bring change in the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee which manages Sikh Gurdwaras.  Regardless, whatever evidence the Punjab Police has against these accused must be brought before a court of law in a timely manner and India, which prides itself as the world’s largest democracy, must ensure its security forces respect the rule of law and basic human rights norms.

Suicide Attempt or Attempted Murder?

We have learned that when Kulwant Singh was alone in his cell and asleep, an already burning flame accelerant was thrown on him and he was scorched from the knees upward.

The story of Kulwant Singh’s alleged suicide attempt while cooking is factually impossible as there is no cooking area within Kulwant Singh’s cell.

Furthermore, after recovering from his previous injuries and with his torture case now proceeding, there would be no reason for Kulwant Singh to attempt suicide at this time, and that too in such a painful manner.  It appears this was an attempt to forever silence Kulwant Singh and make his story of illegal detention and torture go away.

This isn’t the first time the Punjab Police has tried to eliminate individuals who may expose the stories of torture.  In January 2011, Shaminder Singh Shera was beaten to death after he threatened to expose the story of his illegal detention and torture at the hands of the Punjab Police.  In March, Sohan Singh was reported to have committed suicide in his cell by hanging, when his family repeatedly stated that he had been badly tortured and could barely stand.

What Can You Do?

Let those in power know that Kulwant Singh matters and his abuse won’t be ignored.  Shaminder Singh Shera, Sohan Singh and countless others have died because it is felt the public will not react to their murders.  It is felt that the lives of these individuals don't matter. That needs to change.

You can contact the head of Amritsar Jail, Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh and the Superintendent of Amritsar Jail, Roop Kumar and let them know that you are concerned about the treatment Kulwant Singh and his fellow accused have received and that their human rights must be respected.  The contact information for these individuals is below:

Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, IPS

DIG (Prisons), Central Jail, Amritsar

Phone & Fax: +91-183-2591110

Cell: +91-9814085205

E-mail: kunwarv@yahoo.com,  sudharghar@gmail.com

Roop Kumar, Superintendent Jail, Amritsar

Phone: +91-183-2591973

Cell: +91-9876005959

E-mail: roop_18181@yahoo.co.in