Indian Sikh Mp Speaks Out About Operation Bluestar...

[Into the Light]

http://www.worldsikhnews.com/17%20June%202...ar%20awards.htm

NEW DELHI: Shaming Indian parliament, the country's rulers and its policies vis-à-vis the Sikhs right inside the Parliament of the nation, Independent Rajya Sabha Sikh MP Tarlochan Singh, the former chairman of National Commission for Minorities in India, asked why were gallantry awards given to Indian Army officers after Operation Bluestar. "They were given because they had killed Sikhs," Tarlochan Singh said, his voice aggressive and his tone angry, as Defence Minister A K Antony took notes.

Tarlochan Singh, who earlier said when Indians at large were celebrating their new UPA government under a Sikh Prime Minister, "We, the Sikhs, are observing the 25th anniversary of Operation Bluestar."

Tarlochan told the Defence Minister and the government of PM Manmohan Singh to withdraw these gallantary awards and tell the Army officers that it was no gallantary to kill one's own countrymen.

"Those Army officers who attacked and demolished GT and Akal Takht were given gallantary awards. It is shameful on the part of the government that within India, for attack on its own people, the government...gave them gallantry award."

"What for? They (had) captured Pakistan? (Had) They captured China? They (had) killed Sikhs, that is why you gave them gallantry awards. I propose that these gallantry awards be withdrawn, the officers be told that this was no gallantry."

“Gallantry awards are given to the soldiers for fighting the enemy and not attacking your own people.”

He said A K Antony was a good man and "we have known you as a good CM of Kerala. Now I request that you re-open the file and withdraw these awards."

Tarlochan Singh's impassioned speech was all the more appreciated by the Sikh community and all right thinking people in India because there was no pressure on him to even refer to Operation Bluestar. But he was unsparing in his choice of words and while not a single MP from the ruling Akali Dal, including the much hyped newly elected Harsimrat Kaur, even referred to a single Sikh issue, Tarlochan Singh went hammer and tongs and chided the government about its claims of having a Sikh Prime Minister.

"It is good that there is a Sikh Prime Minister, but this should not mean that Sikh issues will not be raised now," he said.

[AvnitK]

it is good that he actually brought this subject up otherwise they wouldnt have even cared about it