SIKHS CAUTION UK POLITICIANS:
India's anti-western actions prove it stands for genocide and state terrorism

On the eve of the General Election in the UK members of the Sikh Federation (UK), the first and only Sikh political party, are meeting Members of Parliament and prospective parliamentary candidates up and down the country. One of the issues that has unexpectedly featured high on the agenda has been India's reaction to events over the last two weeks in Canada, the United States and the UK concerning the verdict in the Air India case and Narendra Modi's abandoned tour of the US and UK.

In a strongly worded briefing to its branches, in towns and cities throughout the UK, the National Executive Council of the Sikh Federation (UK) has advised its members to highlight to UK politicians the unacceptable reaction and behaviour of India. The briefing urges members to remind UK politicians of the extremely backward reaction by Indian politicians, the Indian press and right wing Hindu extremists against the US, Canada and the UK.

India first expressed "outrage" at the verdict by a Canadian Court to find two Sikhs not guilty in the Air India case. The briefing issued by Amrik Singh, the Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK), says: "For India to express outrage at the verdict shows a deplorable level of arrogance for the rule of law in Canada. India has shown once again by its actions that it believes in the principle that 'Sikhs are guilty even if proved innocent'. Sikhs can never expect to be treated fairly and obtain justice in India".

The remainder of the briefing concentrates on India's overblown reaction to the US decision to deny Modi a visa to enter the country and the UK's cold shoulder and withdrawal of security preventing his UK visit. The briefing states: "The denial of the visa to Modi by the US has met with the usual anti-American statements, slogans and violence in India. However, whilst the civilised world is not prepared to tolerate genocide, India continues to not only defend, but encourage the genocide of minorities."

"India's leaders who have tasted the mass killing of hundreds of thousands of innocent Sikhs and Muslims during Partition, have now become accustomed to sponsoring genocide by the Hindu majority. 20 years ago Congress was responsible for the killing of tens of thousands of innocent Sikhs in 1984, followed by over 10 years of fake encounters, extra-judicial executions and murder by torture. 3 years ago it was the BJP when 2,000 innocent Muslims in Gujarat became the victims."

The reaction to the US decision to deny Modi a visa has been looting and burning of US businesses, burning of the US flag and an effigy of President George W. Bush and calls for a boycott of US goods. One Indian commentator has said this is 'a slap on every Indian's face' and called for the withdrawal of the Indian Ambassador from Washington." The state controlled Indian press have directly accused Condoleeza Rice of slapping not Modi but the entire country in its face.

In the UK the decision by Narendra Modi to cancel his visit to the UK at the weekend has been greeted as a victory for anti-genocide protestors. The Sikh Federation (UK) had been in close contact with the South Asia Solidarity Group who were co-ordinating the protest and had plans for hundreds of Sikh protesters to be outside Gate 9 of the Albert Hall on Saturday 26 March. The protest was expected to receive widespread support from community and human rights groups to show Modi he was not welcome in the UK. Organisers have agreed others from India involved in genocide, such as Jagdish Tytler and KPS Gill, should face similar action.

The Indian Government has quoted "security concerns" as the reason for Modi staying away from the UK. The tactical decision by New Scotland Yard to refuse to provide security to Modi was a helpful factor and sets a precedent that will rightly concern Indian politicians, police officers and army personnel that have been involved in widespread human rights abuses and are thinking of making a "private" visit to the UK. It is understood that there was also a distinct possibility that British courts may have ordered Modi's arrest. This combined with the negative publicity and embarrassment is what the Indian Government feared.

Amrik Singh, the Chair of the Sikh Federation (UK) concludes in the briefing that: "Politicians and Governments in the UK, US and Canada are now beginning to realise they are dealing with a much more politically aware Sikh Diaspora that will not remain silent. Sikhs in the West will ensure India's reaction in the last couple of weeks does not go unnoticed."