[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 31, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1973-E1974]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INDIA FILES FAKE CRIMINAL CASE AGAINST BURNING PUNJAB WEBSITE

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 31, 2001

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I was distressed to learn that the government 
of India, which calls itself ``the world's largest demoncracy,'' has 
filed a criminal case against the website Burning Punjab, which reports 
news about the abuse of Sikhs in Punjab, Khalistan by the Indian 
government. The website can be found at http://www.burningpunjab.com/
news.html
  The government made the case fit under Indian law by falsely claiming 
that Burning Punjab is ``a newspaper published from Chandigarh.'' There 
is no newspaper published, just online news, and Burning Punjab uses 
services in the United States and Britain to publish its news. The case 
was filed by the Deputy Inspector General of the terrorist Central 
Reserve Police Force. Previously, viewing Burning Punjab had been 
prohibited in several states in northwest India, including Punjab, 
Delhi, and Chandigarh. This is clearly a case filed to harass Burning 
Punjab for reporting news the government does not like. I'm sorry, Mr. 
Speaker, but I fail to see the difference between this action by ``the 
world's largest democracy'' and the repression of the press in the most 
tyrannical dictatorships of the world.
  If this is how India treats those who expose its corruption and 
brutality, it is no democracy. We should support democracy in South 
Asia in the form of a free and fair plebiscite with international 
monitoring on the question of independence for Khalistan, Kashmir, 
Nagaland, and the other countries seeking their freedom from Indian. 
This will provide the opportunity for every one in the subcontinent to 
live in freedom, dignity, peace, and prosperity. That is the best way 
to promote stability in South Asia.
  I would like to place an article from Burning Punjab on the complaint 
into the Record at this time.

  Harassment Continues: Forged Criminal Case Filed Against ``Burning 
                                Punjab''

       Jalandhar--A forged criminal case against web site Burning 
     Punjab' has been filed in the Court of Judicial Magistrate 
     Mohinder Singh deputed in Jalandhar Courts. The case referred 
     Burning Punjab News' on-line web

[[Page E1974]]

     news as a newspaper' published from Chandigarh, just to cover 
     the Burning Punjab staff under India Penal Code. One Lashkar 
     Singh has filed the case: DIG of Central Reserve Police Force 
     (CRPF) of Indian Hindu Regime.
       It is pertinent to mention that Burning Punjab web site is 
     aired through European and American based servers and 
     satellites. It's registered address is located in United 
     Kingdom but with a motive to harass human rights activists 
     working for Burning Punjab web site, Indian Police have now 
     manipulated forge case against them by alleging that Burning 
     Punjab News is a daily newspaper published from Chandigarh. 
     Whereas no such newspaper' published from Chandigarh.
       A formal representation has been sent to Chief Justice of 
     Supreme Court and the High Court, urging them to take 
     initiative and prevent abusing human right activists and also 
     legal process of the land.

     

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