Jun
8
President Calls for Repeal of POTA and New Law on Communal Violence
June 8, 2004 | Comments Off on President Calls for Repeal of POTA and New Law on Communal Violence
The President of India has declared the government’s intention to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA): The President reiterates the Manmohan Singh Government’s commitment to do away with the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA). It asserts that “while there can be no compromise on the fight against terrorism,” the Government believes that the […]
Jun
8
Best Bakery Trial Adjourned–Public Prosecutor Not Chosen
June 8, 2004 | Comments Off on Best Bakery Trial Adjourned–Public Prosecutor Not Chosen
The Best Bakery trial began on June 7 in Maharashtra, but was adjourned until June 21 because of controversy over the appointment of the public prosecutor. Previously, the advocate representing Zahira Sheikh had requested the Maharashtra government to appoint the public prosecutor and news reports indicated that the petitioners were being consulted. The Maharashtra Law […]
Jun
7
British MPs release 1984 Report
June 7, 2004 | Comments Off on British MPs release 1984 Report
As Sikhs gathered throughout the UK to remember the carnage of 1984, British MPs commemorated the 20th anniversary of Operation Bluestar last week by releasing a report by the Truth and Justice Campaign at the House of Commons. The report, titled 1984 Sikhs’ Kristallnacht, gives eyewitness accounts and individual cases drawing from the 1984 Army […]
Jun
5
20th ANNIVERSARY OF OPERATION BLUESTAR
June 5, 2004 | Comments Off on 20th ANNIVERSARY OF OPERATION BLUESTAR
Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Indian Army’s attack on the Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) complex in Amritsar and 41 other Sikh gurudwaras throughout Punjab. The army invaded the complex, the center of Sikh religious and political life, and forty-one other major Sikh gurudwaras with tanks, canons and troops, and imposed a statewide curfew. […]
Jun
5
Best Bakery Retrial Set for June
June 5, 2004 | Comments Off on Best Bakery Retrial Set for June
On June 7, a sessions court in Bombay will begin the retrial of the Best Bakery case, arising from the murders of 12 Muslims during the Gujarat pogroms of 2002: The Additional Sessions Judge, Abhay Thipsay, has been appointed by the Bombay High Court to conduct the re-trial. P.A. Kamat, registrar in-charge for the Sewri […]
Jun
4
1984 Survivors Approach PM; Akalis Walk Out of Lower House of Parliament
June 4, 2004 | Comments Off on 1984 Survivors Approach PM; Akalis Walk Out of Lower House of Parliament
Survivors of the 1984 pogroms against Sikhs met with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh calling for a memorial in Delhi for those massacred and a resolution condemning the pogroms. In addition: The memorandum said as Congress leader Jagdish Tytler had a major role in the riots he should be immediately removed from the Union Council of […]
Jun
4
Pogrom Survivor Describes Harassment and Resolve to Give Full Statement in Court
June 4, 2004 | Comments Off on Pogrom Survivor Describes Harassment and Resolve to Give Full Statement in Court
Rehana Vora is a key witness in the Ode case arising from the 2002 Gujrat pogroms against Muslims, in which 27 people were killed, including members of her family. She has stuck by her statement despite harassment by perpetrators and attempts to bribe her: Rehana says she has been threatened with dire consequences by the […]
Jun
4
Gujarat Assembly Passes Draconian Bill
June 4, 2004 | Comments Off on Gujarat Assembly Passes Draconian Bill
The Gujarat Assembly passed a bill that resembles POTA, to ensure the continued detention of the Godhra accused in the event that POTA is repealed. The Opposition had walked out prior to the passing of the bill. Three sections were deleted on the advice of President Abdul Kalam: The Gujarat Assembly today passed the amended […]
Jun
2
BBC Solicits Memories on Bluestar
June 2, 2004 | Comments Off on BBC Solicits Memories on Bluestar
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BCC) is soliciting memories and pictures from those who were in Amritsar during Operation Bluestar—the Indian Army attack on the Golden Temple complex in June 1984. On June 3, 1984, the martyrdom anniversary of the fifth Sikh Guru, the Indian army launched Operation Bluestar. The army invaded the Golden Temple complex, […]
Jun
2
Article on Gobind Ram Ignores Human Rights Abuses
June 2, 2004 | Comments Off on Article on Gobind Ram Ignores Human Rights Abuses
In an article praising Gobind Ram, the Punjab police officer killed in 1990 by militants, B. Raman completely ignores the reality of police operations in Punjab during the counterinsurgency movement: Gobind Ram was an exceptionally brave police officer who distinguished himself in the campaign against terrorism in Punjab. Reports published in this period by several national and […]