As the images and live videos of human rights violations by the goons of the Bharatiya Janata Party, with full back-up, cover and complicity of the Delhi Police reach the international community, Sikhs worldwide and human rights defenders raise their deep concern and consternation at the complicity of the state in once again browbeating the Sikhs, this time peaceful protestors of the farmers’ rights movement, abduction and imprisonment of independent web journalists on the periphery of Delhi. World Sikh Organisation of Canada has urged the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Garneau, to take up the matter with the Indian government without delay.  WSN reports.

World Sikh Organisation of Canada expressed deep concern at the rapidly deteriorating situation in India in light of the ongoing farmers’ protest. Over the past several days, protestors have been attacked, journalists have been abducted and Indian authorities have shown a reckless disregard for basic democratic and human rights.

WSO President Tejinder Singh Sidhu wrote to the Canadian minister saying, “for over two months farmers from Punjab and across India have gathered on the outskirts of Delhi in protest against agricultural reform laws enacted without consultation and due process by the ruling BJP government. Since January 26, the situation in Delhi has worsened and there are confirmed reports of protestors, journalists and activists being attacked, beaten, abducted and disappeared by security agencies.”

He further stated that “Protest sites have also been attacked by right-wing Hindutva mobs as police either actively participated or looked the other way. Internet service around the protest sites has been suspended so as to prevent protestors from sharing their brutal treatment with the rest of the world.”

“Dozens of peaceful protestors have been abducted by the police and falsely charged. Although approximately 40 protestors have been traced, dozens more remain unaccounted for.”

WSO has particularly mentioned the case of Mandeep Punia, a regular freelance contributor to The Caravan magazine who was abducted by the police while he reported on the protests.  In his quick Facebook post, hours before his illegal arrest, Mandeep Punia had daringly laid bared the identity and role of BJP leaders masquerading as nearby villagers, who were part of the mob that attacked the protest site. He also exposed how the police were complicit and how the mainstream media had photoshopped pictures to remove the police presence to depict the mobs.

Without mincing words, Tejinder Singh Sidhu said, “As India’s government sinks towards authoritarianism and violates the basic human rights of the protesting farmers, we request that you condemn the recent attacks on protestors and call on India to respect basic democratic values and the right to peaceful protest.”

“As Canada’s Sikhs continue to watch the situation in India with horror, we are hopeful that Canada will live up to its reputation as a human rights leader and encourage India to engage with the protesters in dialogue.”

The use of state violence to silence protest and dissent must not be tolerated. Never, ever. Anywhere.