Information on the Shiromani Gurduwara Probanda Committee (SGPC) in Amritsar during the period 1982 to 1984; information on the magazine Shamshird Dusht published by the All India Sikh Student Federation (AISSF) in 1982 and 1983; and information on the Golden Temple around 1982 and 1983, including who could enter the temple and whether AISSF members were present in the temple [IND18254.E]

According to Human Rights in India: Punjab in Crisis, prior to the independence of India the Shiromani Gurduwara Probanda Committee (SGPC) was formed to "oversee the management of the Sikh's most important temple, the Golden Temple in Amritsar," and other Punjabi historical temples (Aug. 1991, 12). The attached BBC reports of 2 May 1983, 20 February, 30 July, 9 August and 3 October 1984 and the Reuters report of 30 November 1984 provide information on the SGPC during the period 1983 to 1984. These reports refer to events prior to and after Operation Blue Star of 1984 which involved the SGPC and the reelection of the SGPC president.

Sources currently available to the DIRB do not provide information on an All India Sikh Student Federation (AISSF) magazine entitled Shamshird Dusht, nor do they refer to the presence of AISSF members in the Golden Temple around 1982 and 1983. These sources do not provide information on people who could enter the Golden Temple either. However, the attached Reuters articles of 14 November 1982 and 6 December 1983 refer to the presence of militant Sikhs in the Golden Temple. The attached 1983 New York Times article refers to Sikh militants who established their headquarters in "guest houses next to the Golden Temple" (8 Oct. 1983).

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

Asia Watch. August 1991. Human Rights in India: Punjab in Crisis. New York: Human Rights Watch.

The New York Times. 8 October 1983. Final Edition. William K. Stevens. "Punjab Police Are Given Broad Powers." (NEXIS)

Attachments

Asia Watch. August 1991. Human Rights in India: Punjab in Crisis. New York: Human Rights Watch, pp. 11-2.

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 3 October 1984. "Sikh Leaders Condemn Occupation of Golden Temple by Youths." (NEXIS)

. 9 August 1984. "Bjaratiya Janata Leader on Opposition's Role in Punjab." (NEXIS)

. 30 July 1984. "Interior Minister Says No Talks with Akhali Leaders Before 'Normalcy'." (NEXIS)

. 20 February 1984. "Home Secretary's Visit to Punjab." (NEXIS)

. 2 May 1983. "Sikhs Warned That Police May Enter Golden Temple." (NEXIS)

The New York Times. 8 October 1983. Final Edition. William K. Stevens. "Punjab Police Are Given Broad Powers." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 30 November 1984. AM Cycle. "Sikh Hardliner Re-Elected Top Official at Golden Temple." (NEXIS)

. 6 December 1983. "Sikhs Reject Plea to Persuade Militant Preacher to Surrender." (NEXIS)

. 14 November 1982. Brian Williams. "Indian Police Rounded up Dozens." (NEXIS)

Sources Consulted

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1984. 1985.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1983. 1984.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1982. 1983.

Dead Silence: The Legacy of Human Rights Abuses in Punjab. 1994.

India Since Independence: 1947-1991. 1991.

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. 1983-85.

Oppression in Punjab. 1986.

On-line search.