I WILL ABOLISH ‘BLACKLIST’, MODI ASSURES NRI SIKHS
Friday, 13/11/2015
http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx
LONDON: Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured a delegation of British Sikhs that he would personally ensure abolishing the so-called ‘blacklist’ of overseas Sikhs who were unable to visit India, and said he agreed in principle to release political prisoners who had served their terms.
Delighted with the meeting, Jasdev Singh Rai, director of the Sikh Human Rights Group and a leading interlocutor, told Hindustan Times that it was a “turning point” in the fractious relationship between overseas Sikhs and the Indian state since Operation Bluestar in 1984.
National security adviser Ajit Doval was asked to open dialogue with Sikhs in India and overseas to take the issues further, while Modi assured the delegation that he would look into all issues related to Sikhs.
The so-called ‘blacklist’ reportedly includes individuals involved in the Khalistan movement who are unable to get visas to visit India.
“It is a major breakthrough after a 31-year standoff (between overseas Sikhs and the Indian state). He said he would personally take up the issue of abolishing the blacklist. He said he shared the pain of Sikhs and that the community will soon get justice for the 1984 riots,” Rai said.
Besides Rai, the 30-member Sikh delegation included representatives from other Sikh groups based in Britain. The meeting was held as several pro-Khalistan Sikhs protested against Modi outside 10 Downing Street.
