[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 109 (Tuesday, August 9, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 9, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
           INDIA IMPOSES CENSORSHIP ORDER AGAINST SIKH NATION

                                 ______


                           HON. PETER T. KING

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 9, 1994

  Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, India's repression of the Sikh nation, 
Khalistan, continues. Indian newspapers have recently reported a top-
secret order by the Indian Government which censors incoming or 
outgoing mail of all Sikh activist organizations. Included in this are 
the Akali Dal, the largest Sikh political party in Indian-occupied 
Khalistan, and the Council of Khalistan.
  The order states that ``the Administrator [UT] Chandigarh is pleased 
to direct that all postal articles and telegraphic messages of any 
description whatsoever addressed to or emanating from'' any of these 
organizations ``shall be detained.'' The order also orders the seizure 
of any mail to or from all ``persons residing in Pakistan.''
  This news was first reported by Sukhbir Singh Osan, Chandirgarh 
correspondent for the Hitavada News, and English-language newspaper in 
central India. Now the Indian regime is preparing to bug Mr. Osan's 
telephone.
  According to a report in the July 17 issue of The Statesman, a major 
Indian newspaper, in addition to the Sikh organizations, ``10 senior 
journalists have been targeted for censorship.'' The Statesman reported 
that ``an Amritsar-based journalist, Mr. Shammi Sarin of the Sunday 
Mail, said today that he had received a threat.'' This threat stemmed 
from his story reporting the beating of two sportswriters by the Punjab 
police. The sportswriters had written stories questioning the 
credentials of the Punjab police director K.P.S. Gill to be head of the 
Indian Hockey Federation. According to the Statesman article, the 
anonymous caller told Mr. Sarin that ``writing against Mr. Gill and the 
Punjab police will cost you dearly.''
  Another reporter, Monimoy Dasgupta of the Telegraph, also received a 
threatening phone call. ``Don't think that you can get away with 
writing anything you want,'' the caller said. ``There is such a thing 
as a road accident.''
  Mr. Speaker, this kind of repression is all the worse in the face of 
India's claim that there is peace in Punjab, Khalistan. If there is 
peace, then why does India need to resort to censorship and brutality?
  On October 7, 1987, the Sikh nation declared its independence, 
forming the separate and sovereign country of Khalistan. The Sikh 
movement for independence is legitimate and justified. Yet India 
resorts to tactics like this censorship order. India is a polyglot of 
many peoples. For example, it has 18 official languages. On July 4, 
Afghanistan recognized Khalistan's independence. Liberty for the Sikh 
nation will be restored when Khalistan is free. By 1999, the Sikh 
nation will celebrate the liberation of Khalistan. It is time for India 
to recognize reality. It is time for India to end its occupation of 
Khalistan.
  I am including a copy of this top-secret censorship order for the 
Record.

                                 Order

       Whereas the Administrator (UT) Chandigarh, is satisfied 
     that this measure is necessary in the interest of public 
     safety and tranquility.
       Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by 
     Subsection (1) of Section 26 of the Indian Post Office Act 
     1898 for censorship of Postal articles and by Section 5(2) of 
     the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 for censorship of telegraphic 
     messages the Administrator (UT) Chandigarh, is pleased to 
     direct that all Postal articles and telegraphic messages of 
     any description whatsoever addressed to or emanating from 
     the:
       (1) Office bearers, important members and important workers 
     of:
       1) Akali Dals, Dal Khalsa, Khalsa Raj Party. National 
     Council of Khalistan and their front organizations;
       ii) Central Coordination Committee of Local Gurdwaras & 
     Sikh Institutions, Chandigarh;
       iii) A.I.S.S.F.;
       iv) Sikh Lawyers Forum:
       v) Punjab Bachao Morcha;
       (2) Office bearers, important members and important workers 
     of Anand Marg and its branches;
       (3) Any organization/person from whom danger to the 
     security of the State/VIP:
       (4) Person residing in Pakistan;

     shall be detained and forwarded to the Dy.Supdt, of Police 
     (CID) UT/Chandigarh and to authorize the Dy.Supdt. of Police 
     (CID), UT/Chandigarh to return to the Postal/Telegraph 
     Authorities direct for delivery such Postal articles/
     telegraphic messages as are intercepted in accordance with 
     this Office Order which it is not necessary to contain 
     permanently in the interest of public safety.
       This Order is to remain in force for a period of six months 
     with effect from the date of issue.

                                                 ------ ------

                                                   Home Secretary,
     Chandigarh Administration.

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