Over Seas

UK: Pressure mounts on David Cameron for probe into June 1984 Amritsar massacre

March 30, 2014 | By Sikh Siyasat Bureau

London, United Kingdom (March 29, 2014): Pressure is mounting on British Prime Minister David Cameron to order an independent public inquiry into UK’s involvement in Operation Blue Star.

It is learnt that over 100 politicians in UK – including the chairman of home affairs select committee of the House of Commons Keith Vaz has now joined a call for an inquiry to help the 700,000 strong British Sikh community “establish the truth about not only UK government’s involvement but the Indian government’s pressure to suppress the truth from British Sikhs”.

The Sikh Federation UK said, “We believe only through an independent judge-led inquiry will we get proper information.” They are now is calling for an “international UN-led inquiry into the genocide of the Sikhs in 1984”.

The Sikh Federation UK has announced that it has secured the support of over 100 UK politicians representing over five million of the UK electorate. It will go public with the full list on April 1.

As per information the list includes some important MPs of the Indian diaspora – Labour MPs Virendra Sharma (Ealing, Southall), Keith Vaz (Leicester East), Khalid Mahmood (Birmingham Perry Barr) and Yasmin Qureshi (Bolton South East). The list also includes Labour member of European parliament Claude Moraes (London), Labour European Parliament candidate Neena Gill (West Midlands), Liberal democrat Lord (Qurban) Hussain and Conservative Baron (Mohamed) Sheikh. Richard Fuller is another Conservative MP for Bedford who has confirmed his support for an independent public inquiry.

Adam Holloway, the Conservative MP for Gravesham asked an oral question at prime minister’s Question time over such an inquiry. He said, “I know that the PM is acutely aware that we are coming up to the 30th anniversary of the appalling carnage at the Golden Temple at Amritsar. What more can be done at last to bring someone to justice for the appalling events that followed across India?”

Cameron replied, “My honourable friend is right that what happened at Amritsar 30 years ago led to a tragic loss of life. It remains a deep source of pain to Sikhs everywhere and a stain on the post-independence history of India. We cannot interfere in the Indian justice system, nor should we. The most important thing we can do in this country is celebrate the immense contribution that British Sikhs make to our country, to our armed forces, to our culture and to our business life and celebrate what they do for this country.”

Questions are being raised asking why Paul Uppal, the only Sikh MP has not confirmed his support. the demand has acquired political hues with the elections to the European Parliament that will be taking place in the UK on May 22. Fear of losing out on the Sikh vote has also resulted in dozens of British politicians expressing support.

With the Sikh voters clearly threatening to abstain from voting, lest the candidates support their call for an independent public inquiry, the demand has found considerable support from UK MPs, Lords, MEPs and European Parliament candidates.

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Related Topics: June 1984 attack on Sikhs, Sikh Diaspora, Sikh Federation UK, Sikhs in United Kingdom, UK and June 1984 attack on Sikhs

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