London, United Kingdom (June 07, 2014): A written statement (dt: 06 June, 2014) sent to the Sikh Siyasat News (SSN) by Ranjit Singh Srai from UK reads as follows:
As Sikhs all over the world mark 30 years since the notoriously bloody Indian Army attack in June 1984 on the holiest Sikh shrine (Sri Harimandar Sahib, often called the Golden Temple) in Amritsar, leading Sikh organisations have asked David Cameron to repay the debt owed by Britain to the Sikh nation. They want him to press the new Indian Government to respect the right of self-determination and other human rights, or face stern international sanctions.
Sikh representatives submitting memorandum at 10 Downing Street on 6 June 2014
The Indo-Sikh conflict has cost some 200,000 lives over the last 30 years and remains unresolved. On the day the memorandum was delivered in Westminster, Sikhs marched in Amritsar asserting their sovereignty and demanding freedom. India continues to officially reject Article 1 of the 1966 Covenants on Human Rights which asserts that all peoples have the right to self-determination. Whereas the UN, France, Germany, Holland and Pakistan have formally requested India to recognise this foundation of international law, Sikhs now call on the UK do likewise. The memorandum handed in to Downing Street yesterday set out that demand, as well as requested international action to establish a criminal investigation and tribunal in to crimes against humanity by Indian politicians and security force personnel over the last 30 years. The plight of Sikh political prisoners was also raised, some of whom face the death penalty whilst others are still being held despite the completion of jail sentences.
The memorandum pointed to a sustained pattern of Indian non-compliance with international law which has led directly to unending conflict in Punjab, Kashmir, Nagaland, Assam and elsewhere. The new right wing Hindu nationalist BJP government of Mr Modi will ratchet up that pressure on national minorities, as was seen just last week with ministers taunting Kashmiris that Article 370 of the Indian constitution would be scrapped in order to fully ‘integrate’ the disputed territory in to India.
The Sikh memorandum reaffirmed the goal of an independent sovereign state of Khalistan, which would offer the only meaningful protection from India’s proven propensity to violently oppress national minorities, illegally appropriate their natural resources and challenge their very identity (Article 25 of India’s constitution declares Sikhs to be Hindus for the purposes of personal law and places of worship).
The document asserted that the UK, as the former colonial power, has a moral responsibility to act in an impartial manner to protect nations in the face of Indian aggression. Quoting Sir Winston Churchill’s comments on Sikh help during the two World Wars, it reminded the UK PM of the debt owed to the Sikh nation which now calls for that debt to be redeemed:
“British people are highly indebted and obliged to Sikhs…we needed their help twice and they did help us very well.
As a result of their timely help, we are able to live with dignity, honour and independence…” – Sir Winston Churchill.
The disgrace of former UK PM Margaret Thatcher’s assistance to India in planning the Golden temple attack 30 years ago, revealed through recently released documents, is even more reason for a UK foreign policy correction which would help bring much needed succour to a region that remains a major threat to international peace and security.
The memorandum, from the Council of Khalistan, Akali Dal UK, Dal Khalsa and the All India Sikh Students Federation urged the UK to block any admission for India as a permanent member of the UN Security Council until it complied fully with its international obligations.