In November 1984 thousands of innocent Sikhs were murdered in a matter of days in cities across India. The killings were the outcome of a well organised plan by the Indian authorities and politicians, such as Jagdish Tytler, of the Congress. Therefore, why did Manmohan Singh appoint someone directly implicated in the organised violence and killing of innocent Sikhs in Delhi in November 1984? This was a mistake and showed complete insensitivity towards Sikhs. Sikhs in the West are once again being forced to take the lead. The Sikh Federation (UK) and like minded organisations in other western countries have pledged to ensure protest actions take place in countries such as the USA, Canada, Germany and the UK if Tytler makes a visit. In late June Sikhs across the USA were contacted and mobilised when the Sikh Federation (UK) learned of a visit by Tytler and Advani to a convention of the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, to be held from June 23 to 27 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego. Within 24 hours Sikhs in America had organised a protest and Congressman Dan Burton of Indiana and Hon. Edolphus Towns of New York had raised the matter in the House of Representatives.

"As someone who has long championed the cause of freedom, democracy, and equal rights for the Sikh community and other oppressed minorities in that part of the world, I am deeply concerned about this man coming to the United States." "So long as people like Jagdish Tytler are in the India government, it draws into question whether India is truly willing to uphold the democratic values that it preaches. In addition, Mr. Speaker, it should also draw into question the wisdom of the hard-working taxpayers of this country supporting a government that rewards the Jagdish Tytler's of the world with power and authority."

Similarly Hon. Edolphus Towns of New York raised the same matter in the House of Representatives stating: "Mr. Speaker, I was disturbed to read that Jagdish Tytler, India's Minister of State for Non-Resident Indian Affairs, was coming to the United States to speak. He is the person most responsible for the genocide against Sikhs in Delhi in November 1984. To bring Jagdish Tytler to America is to give our implicit blessing to that massacre." "Mr. Speaker, why is such a person being granted entry to the United States? And why is he in India's Cabinet? Unfortunately, rewarding people who carry out such activities is too common in India. We do not have to grant it our implicit approval. "A democratic country should be embarrassed to have carried out acts like these, and I call on Prime Minister Singh to begin to rectify India's record by releasing Sikh political prisoners and by removing Mr. Tytler and others involved in atrocities from his government." "We embarrass ourselves and our principles by allowing the likes of Jagdish Tytler to come and make speeches in our country." "As long as people like Mr. Tytler are in the government, it is confirmation that there is no place for Sikhs and other minorities in India. Until it repudiates this and allows all people to exercise their full rights, we should provide no aid to India. And we should put ourselves on record in support of a free and fair vote on independence for the Sikh homeland, Khalistan." It was no surprise that within 24 hours it was reported by the press in Washington that Tytler had cancelled his US visit to Los Angles and San Diego fearing protests.

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