[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 77 (Thursday, May 30, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E955]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          12TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATTACK ON THE GOLDEN TEMPLE

                                 ______


                          HON. PHILIP M. CRANE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 30, 1996

  Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solemn observance of the 12th 
anniversary of the Indian Government's military assault on the Golden 
Temple, the holiest shrine of the Sikh religion, which took place from 
June 3-6, 1984. Thirty-eight other gurdwaras, Sikh temples were also 
attacked during the same operation. In all over 20,000 Sikhs were 
murdered during June 1984.
  It is important to remember the particulars of this horrifying event 
because they help us to understand the complete disregard the Indian 
Government holds for the value of Sikh life. India planned the attack 
on the Golden Temple on the day of the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev, the 
fifth Sikh Guru. India knew that the temple complex would be filled 
with pilgrims who were gathered there to observe this auspicious 
occasion. Before laying siege to the temple, the Indian Government took 
pains to remove all foreigners from the Punjab. A complete press block 
was implemented. Traffic in and out of Punjab was halted. Those caught 
in the Golden Temple had no means of getting information in or out.
  Three wings of the Indian military were used: The army, the navy and 
the air force. These forces practiced well planned mock attacks at a 
model of the Golden Temple in Chakrata for months before the attack. It 
is clear from the carnage inside the temple after the attack that 
soldiers were instructed to kill as many Sikhs as possible in the most 
ruthless manner. In one instance, it was reported by survivors that 100 
children between the ages of 8 to 12 were lined up on the grounds of 
the Golden Temple and asked if they supported Sikh freedom from India. 
As each one answered in the affirmative, Indian security forces shot 
them dead at point blank range.
  The Akal Takht, a separate building on the Golden Temple complex 
which represents the highest seat of spiritual and temporal authority 
for the Sikhs, was also attacked. Blasted with heavy mountain guns and 
tank artillery, the Akal Takht was set ablaze. Original, irreplaceable 
documents written in the hands of the Sikhs Gurus were destroyed. A 
library containing other priceless, original religious documents was 
also set ablaze.
  The attack on the Golden Temple was no ordinary police action. It was 
an all-out military assault. How would Muslims feel if an army attacked 
Mecca? How would Christians feel if an army attacked the Vatican? Make 
no mistake about it, India's attack on the Golden Temple was an attempt 
to symbolically reinforce the Government total domination over the 
Sikhs. To put it another way, India simply wanted to show the Sikhs who 
was the boss.

  But, India is now beginning to see the folly of its attack on the 
Golden Temple. Instead of submitting to the tyranny of the Indian 
Government, the Sikh nation is bravely waging a struggle for complete 
independence from India. Since the attack on the Golden Temple, Indian 
forces have killed over 150,000 Sikhs. Instructed by their religion to 
stand up against tyranny wherever it exists, Sikhs refuse to submit to 
the tyranny of the Indian Government. On October 7, 1987, the Sikh 
nation formally severed ties with India and declared themselves 
independent forming the separate country of Khalistan.
  As we reflect on the horrible massacre of Sikhs, which took place in 
the Golden Temple complex 12 years ago, let us also look forward to the 
eventual freedom of the Sikh people. Throughout their history, Sikhs 
have faced grave injustice at the hands of tyrants. Sikhs possess an 
interminable spirit and cling tenaciously to the belief that out of the 
ashes of cataclysmic episodes like that of the Golden Temple attack 
they will emerge only stronger and more determined to fight the wrongs 
visited upon them. Sikhs earnestly want their freedom and they have 
sought our support. I support the independence of Khalistan and I urge 
my colleagues to support the independence of Khalistan as well.

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