DEATH OF BALKAR SINGH AND SIKHS IN INDIA

Early day motion 2104, tabled 21 July 2008 by John Hemming (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 18 members.

That this House notes with grave concern an unarmed Sikh, Balkar Singh, was shot dead in Mumbia on 20th June, with the killing resulting in widespread protests by Sikhs in cities throughout Punjab, Haryana and in Mumbia; is deeply concerned that since the incident the Indian armed forces and police have beaten and attacked unarmed Sikh men, women and children and thousands of Sikh activists in Punjab have been arrested to try and suppress peaceful protests; further notes that Bal Thakeray the chief of Shiv Sena, a right wing nationalist group, is fuelling the situation by reminding the Sikh minority of the anti-Sikh pogroms of November 1984 and that this is causing considerable distress to British Sikhs; and for this reason urges the Government to act immediately by raising its concerns with the Indian authorities.

Signatures by party: Labour 11, Liberal Democrat 3, Conservative 1, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.