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

Massacre At Sikh Temple In Wisconsin Could Have Been Inspired By Operation Blue Star 1984

Sikh is the nation with which from the very long ago, Hindus are showing discriminatory behavior. They are against Sikhs.

Today, another brutal act of “Domestic terrorism” left 7 individuals dead and 30 injured, of a Sikh minority community in Oak Creek Wisconsin.

Month ago, a case of Surbajeet Singh came in the media. He got free from imprisonment in Pakistan and when he came back to India, he admitted that he went to Pakistan for spying as RAW agent. Soon after he admitted this, Indian government and RAW clearly disowned him by saying that they had not sent him to spy. The person who worked for them, the one had been jailed for more than 20 years, is totally disowned by our own government and RAW agency. After this incident, there was no one to help him out. This tells us that Indian culture is dominated by Hindu majority and is not secular in nature as being portrayed globally.

After that, Karan Singh, a waiter in a hotel was killed just for bringing order a bit late. He was killed by some officers of the private company. This shows that Hindus don’t want Sikhs in their country.

These 2 are the stories of our own country. Hindus don’t want that Sikhs live in peace in any part of the world. That is why they have started killing them. Involvement of RAW can be suspected in this case, just as it happened in Peshawar 2 years back when 2 Sikh brothers were brutally murdered just in the name of dirty politics and proxy wars.  

UN and Human Rights Watch are completely silent on this. Sikhs are being discriminated from a long time but nothing has been done so far to ensure equal acceptance of them in the world. They are quiet and just watching the killing of innocent Sikhs. This is the time when UN and Human Rights Watch have to do something and have to take some proper action because every human being in this world has the right and if their rights are being violated. The time has come when UN and Human Rights Watch must show some concern over this issue and show Sikhs that they are with them. If they can take action against killings in Afghanistan, Israel, India, UK then they must take action on this as well. Sikhs have all rights to live in the world.

Brutalities of Indian Army: 1964 Paonta Sahib Massacre

Paonta Sahib is the only holy place after Anandpur Sahib where Guru Gobind Singh Ji resided the longest for a period of four years from 1685 to 1689. Situated on the bank of Jamuna, its ever pleasing peaceful surroundings touch every heart and soul. Many historical events took place here such as Guru Sahib writing and composing many parts of Dasam Granth, Pir Buddhu Shah fighting in the battle of Bhanghani in which four of his sons became martyrs and then blessing him with Kes and Kangha. Guru Sahib erected a fort in 1685 and named it ‘Panvta’ which was used in the battle of Bhanghani against the hill kings. In summary, it is a sacred place where Guru Sahib held his darbar (court) and taught Sikhs many valuable lessons. When Guru Granth Sahib was declared the last and final Guru of the Sikhs, the holy place became known as Paonta Sahib and a Gurdwara was erected in the memory of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

Gurdwaras are source from which the Sikh nation draws its power. It is for this reason that whenever anti-Sikhi forces resorted to destroying the Sikh religion, Gurdwaras became the first target. Maharaja Ranjit Singh knew that Gurdwaras were strength of the Sikhs and spent large amount of money in building and repairing the Gurdwaras. Sikhs have always fought and sacrificed themselves for the sanctity of the Gurdwaras. During Mughal Empire, Gurdwaras were under control of Nirmalas and Udasis and they managed the Gurdwaras according to Guru’s rehat (code of conduct). By 1799, almost all of the Gurdwaras were under their control and management. As Sikhs grew in power, the money started flowing to Gurdwaras and Nirmalas and Udasis started using it for their personal benefits. Engrossed in the power of wealth they turned away from Sikhi and started considering Gurdwaras as their personal property. During British rule, they were given full support to run the Gurdwaras as they liked and engage in many anti-Sikhi activities for the purpose of weakening the Sikh nation.

These mahants started abusing their power and mismanaging the Gurdwaras. Idols were installed in Darbar Sahib. Smoking and drinking became normal at Nankana Sahib and Taran Taaran Sahib. Killers of Jallianwala Bagh Massacre were honored at Akal Takhat Sahib, Pro. Gurmukh Singh and martyrs of Kamagata Maru were excommunicated from the Panth. At last, Sikhs could not tolerate it anymore and started Gurdwara Reform Movement. Over time, all of the Gurdwaras were freed by Sikhs and SGPC was formed to properly manage and run the Gurdwaras.

During the Gurdwara Reform Movement, Paonta Sahib was being managed by Mahant Lehna Singh who was a devout Sikh. He presented himself at Darbar Sahib and wished to hand over the control of the Gurdwara to SGPC but seeing his humbleness and devotion, Sikhs appointed him to manage the Gurdwara. After his death, his son Gurdial Singh took over the Gurdwara. He established political connections with many of the leaders after which he started misusing the Gurdwara for personal gains. Management became worse and Sikhs in the area started complaining to the SGPC, jathebandis and leaders like Master Tara Singh, Karta Singh and Hukam Singh. Hearing about the mismanagement of the Gurdwara, Baba Chet Singh, head of Buddha Dal, went to Paonta Sahib. Fearing the Nihungs, Gurdial Singh summoned himself, apologized for his misdeeds and took Amrit.

After Buddha Dal left for Punjab, Gurdial Singh resorted back to his misdeeds. His everyday activities did not go unnoticed. Many of the local Sikhs went to Punjab and invited Baba Harbhajan Singh, head of Tarna Dal, to come with them and take over the Gurdwara. On March 10^th, 1964 Baba Ji took control of the Gurdwara at the request of local Sikhs. At the Gurdwara, Nihungs had started Akhand Paath Sahib (continuation of reading the Holy Scripture) and restored the Rehat Maryada of Guru Sahib. Kirtan, Katha and regular diwans were held everyday. Number of visitors to the Gurdwara started to increase. This was obviously not welcomed by Gurdial Singh but he found himself helpless in front of armed Nihung Singhs. He hired some thugs and sought help of the police to restore his control.

On May 22^nd, the police called Baba Harbhajan Singh to resolve the issue with Gurdial and make compromise but instead he was arrested and held in custody. Then, the police marched towards the Gurdwara. The police announced on loud speakers informing the Nihungs to come out but no one did as they were reciting the Holy Scripture. At last, the police broke the doors and windows of the Gurdwara and entered the premises with shoes on. As soon as the police walked in they started firing at Sikhs. Many of the Nihungs cooking langar and doing seva were shot dead. Nihungs reciting the Holy Scripture were also not spared and shot dead by the police. Guru Granth Sahib was drenched in the blood of the Sikhs. One Nihung who was reading Guru Granth Sahib raised his hand as a sign of stopping the police from shooting and interrupting the Akhand Paath. But the police shot his hand and he became wounded. Even then he continued to recite but the police went a step further and shot him in the chest. Nihung Singh died at the spot and fell on the saroop of Guru Granth Sahib. Baba Nihal Singh was standing next to him and wanted to take his place but the police shot him as well and he severely became wounded.

Total of 8 Sikhs were martyred inside the Gurdwara. The police loaded up their bodies in the truck and took them to a forest to be burnt. Three bodies were lying outside of the Gurdwara which were later cremated by the Sikhs. The entire Gurdwara was filled with empty gun shells and walls were full of bullet marks. The floor had turned red with blood. The police took saroop of Guru Granth Sahib, Dasam Granth and weapons of Guru Sahib with them. Nagara (war drum) also bore bullet marks. It was revealed later that one Sikh was beating the nagara to call other Sikhs and warn them of the attack but the police filled his body with bullets. The police tried to clean up the floor and walls but left after unsuccessful attempts. The Gurdwara Sahib was later repaired by the Sikhs. Total of 11 Nihungs of Tarna Dal sacrificed for the sanctity of the Gurdwara. Baba Nihal Singh, a wounded Sikh, became the next head of Tarna Dal and became known as a ‘Jinda Shaheed’ (Living Martyr). This bloody massacre gave a glimpse of what Mughal invaders had done to Darbar Sahib in 18^th century. It leaves no doubt that although the government had changed but the oppressive policies against the Sikhs had not and continued to exist.