Britain to take up ‘persecution’ of religious minorities in India

[Abdullah719]

Britain will raise the issue of alleged persecution of Christians and Sikhs in India during the April meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London and Windsor, following demands by MPs to take it up with Prime Minster Narendra Modi.

During a lengthy debate at the Westminster Hall of the House of Commons on ‘Freedom of religion or belief’ last week, MPs cited details of alleged persecution in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and elsewhere, and demanded that ministers discuss it when Commonwealth leaders are here for CHOGM.

A ministry of external affairs officer in India said the ministry would need to see the transcript of the debate before making any comments on the issue.

Martin Docherty-Hughes (Scottish National Party) mentioned the detention in Punjab of his constituent, Jagtar Singh Johal, allegedly without charge, and claimed that “members of the Sikh community across the UK have become gravely concerned that they, too, may be detained on the simple premise of being a member of the Sikh faith”.

Both Docherty-Hughes and Fabian Hamilton (Labour) raised the issue of alleged persecution of Christians; the former recalled the ancient roots of Christianity in India, but mentioned reports alleging that India was one of the most dangerous countries to practise Christianity.

Responding to the debate, Foreign Office minister for Asia Mark Field said: “My frequent jousting partner, the hon. Member for West Dunbartonshire (Martin Docherty-Hughes), alluded to a consular case that we continue to work closely on.”

“He made some profound points about Prime Minister Modi and about Christian and Sikh minorities in India. We will do our best to raise some of those in an appropriate manner at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in mid-April, to ensure that Parliament’s voice is properly heard.”

“He will appreciate that diplomacy sometimes needs to be done behind closed doors, rather than with megaphones,” Field added, according to a transcript of the debate on Thursday that is now available.

Hamilton, who visited Kerala recently, mentioned alleged persecution of Christians, and said: “Of course, we must also remember the plight of the Sikhs in Punjab. Many of us represent strong Sikh communities. I recently had the privilege to be in Kerala… Kerala is home to the largest minority of Christians in India; many are from a Catholic background.”

Docherty-Hughes added: “The Republic of India, the world’s largest democracy, has a legal system based on common law, is a signatory to many UN declarations, including on human rights, and is a Commonwealth nation.”

“I hope that the Government, through the Foreign Secretary, will raise a few points with President (sic) Modi and his officials at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting here in London in April.”

Modi is scheduled to attend the CHOGM, when the United Kingdom, as the chair of the group for the next two years, is likely to task New Delhi with a greater role, particularly in the area of trade and business. A regional trade hub is likely to be set up in India.

As the largest country by population in the Commonwealth, India, which has played a key role in the group since its founding in 1949, is seen as vital to London’s plans to enhance trade revenue when the UK loses access to the European Single Market after Brexit in March 2019.

Bilateral meetings are also expected to be held between Modi and Prime Minister Theresa May when he is in London for the CHOGM from April 16 to 20. It will be his second visit to London as prime minster after the first in November 2015.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/indi...es-in-india/story-tgNyNp2Tb2gsBSJLKGDxhL.html

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Well, it's always welcome if we as a first world nation can offer our expertise in handling minorities to developing nations which are still maturing in this regard, but I'm surprised that the focus seems to be on Christians and Sikhs, considering the more recent religious riots were generally aimed at Indian Muslims, not to mention the longstanding repression in Kashmir. But it's a start, and with Modi's reputation, a much needed one.

 

[Rafa]

Muslims, Christians and Sikhs lead a very miserable life in Hindu India, good to see the Developed World taking a note of atrocities committed against the minorities in India.

 

[CricketCartoons]

UK should give citizenship to at least the indian christians if not the sikhs.

 

[akki]

I stopped reading when i saw sikhs persecuting in india loll. Its was around 33 years back in year 84. Sikhs contribute most to india .they are most lovable people here in india.
I need facts and figures of persecutions out of 125 crore population. Then i will compare it with per capita crime or persecutions with any perfect country in the world , as our indians income or our economic strength is calculated ,ignoring india rank of world top 4-5 economies of world.
I dare britain would discuss this nonsense matter with modi.

 

[Rishikesh]

Sad to see minorities suffering under the rule of so called secular parties in Punjab and Kerala. I'm sure Modiji will help them if they vote for BJP in next elections.

 

[akki]

Sad to see minorities suffering under the rule of so called secular parties in Punjab and Kerala. I'm sure Modiji will help them if they vote for BJP in next elections.

Sarcasm ..i see what you did there.

 

[cricketjoshila]

The moment they said Sikh i stopped reading. Sikhs are one of the most well to do communities. With India having a Sikh PM,CJI and even a sikh President, where is the persecution. 84 riots were an exception.

 

[srh]

Should not forget Dalits and Tribals and Muslims; they also suffer a lot in India

 

[CricketCartoons]

The moment they said Sikh i stopped reading. Sikhs are one of the most well to do communities. With India having a Sikh PM,CJI and even a sikh President, where is the persecution. 84 riots were an exception.

But I continued reading, hoping to see something about hindu persecution, but didn't find any. Hindus are the most persecuted and are political orphans. No country talks for them, and the people who talk for them are maligned and deemed terrorists.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Good move by the British government if true. We send aid to India, they should stop their human rights abuses against minorities and become civilised like us Brits

 

[PakLFC]

Now India and its people will say if minorities were so mistreated the Americans and the UN would have bought it up. They suffer from a massive American complex, a massive one where America must decide on everything!. You can't take India seriously. Every day one hears of some majority versus minority issue in India. You can't veil your problems to the neighbour. Now it's taking forever for the Ram Temple/Babri Masjid decision to be made. Expect trouble no matter what the court decides.

 

[PakLFC]

But I continued reading, hoping to see something about hindu persecution, but didn't find any. Hindus are the most persecuted and are political orphans. No country talks for them, and the people who talk for them are maligned and deemed terrorists.

Hindu's have no voice in India?

 

[PakLFC]

It's well known how poorly the untouchables or Dalits are treated in India. They are not even considered human, majority are Hindu's I believe.

 

[JaDed]

Can see why they didn't mention Muslims,probably Iraq-Afghan war seems a recent memory.

 

[Madplayer]

Can see why they didn't mention Muslims,probably Iraq-Afghan war seems a recent memory.

Nobody cares about nobody. Thats the reality. The British must have some ulterior motives behind even this.

 

[R3verse Swing]

Source is HindustanTimes, no surprise they've omitted Muslims.

 

[good guy]

on other hand uk is asking for free trade from india

on another hand uk is criticized India from human rights abuse
out of these 2 things only one thing can happened only
btw British gov should say sorry for Bengal famine first

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

on other hand uk is asking for free trade from india

on another hand uk is criticized India from human rights abuse
out of these 2 things only one thing can happened only
btw British gov should say sorry for Bengal famine first

Every issue doesn't have to be linked to another, a more sensible approach would be to treat each with the respect it deserves. If India wants to have an apology from Britain for the Bengal famine, then they should open up a channel with Britain and see if a case can be made for an apology.

 

[big_gamer007]

Sikhs are not discriminated as far as I am aware.. Lower caste Hindus are the most discriminated ones, then Muslims and finally Christians a little bit.. So UK either doesn’t know the reality or have some ulterior motives since they are not raising voice against opression of the group oppressed the most..

 

[troodon]

Outside of Dalits and Tribals in remote places no one else is persecuted or exploited.

Muslims mostly live in Muslim dominated areas. Christians are usually well educated unless they are Dalit or tribal Christians.
Sikhs, I have no idea. Most of them live in Punjab and Delhi. My northy brothers can tell how they are doing.

There is definitely some level of discrimination against minorities especially Muslims and Dalits. But persecution seems too much.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Sikhs are not discriminated as far as I am aware.. Lower caste Hindus are the most discriminated ones, then Muslims and finally Christians a little bit.. So UK either doesn’t know the reality or have some ulterior motives since they are not raising voice against opression of the group oppressed the most..

Lower caste Hindus don't have a voice in the UK, that is why their issues are not addressed. Sikhs and Christians are a vocal minority here, and that is why Britain will hear more about their issues than Dalits or any other downtrodden group which is based mostly in India. If there was more awareness of lower caste problems then Brits would probably address them as well.

 

[big_gamer007]

Lower caste Hindus don't have a voice in the UK, that is why their issues are not addressed. Sikhs and Christians are a vocal minority here, and that is why Britain will hear more about their issues than Dalits or any other downtrodden group which is based mostly in India. If there was more awareness of lower caste problems then Brits would probably address them as well.

Fair point.. But the issue gets diluted when British sikhs think sikhs are being persecuted or even discriminated against.. They don’t have any support from Sikhs living in India and honestly the Sikhs here are probably one of the most influential communities in normal day to day life..

Christians I don’t think are discriminated against either but down south or in Orissa or tribal Christians might be oppressed but in north they are generally doing well..

So this whole exercise seems pretty useless when they include Sikhs in the midst.

 

[big_gamer007]

Outside of Dalits and Tribals in remote places no one else is persecuted or exploited.

Muslims mostly live in Muslim dominated areas. Christians are usually well educated unless they are Dalit or tribal Christians.
Sikhs, I have no idea. Most of them live in Punjab and Delhi. My northy brothers can tell how they are doing.

There is definitely some level of discrimination against minorities especially Muslims and Dalits. But persecution seems too much.

Sikhs are doing well, these British Sikhs are still living in 84 it seems..

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Fair point.. But the issue gets diluted when British sikhs think sikhs are being persecuted or even discriminated against.. They don’t have any support from Sikhs living in India and honestly the Sikhs here are probably one of the most influential communities in normal day to day life..

Christians I don’t think are discriminated against either but down south or in Orissa or tribal Christians might be oppressed but in north they are generally doing well..

So this whole exercise seems pretty useless when they include Sikhs in the midst.

I don't really have any dog in this fight, British Sikhs are saying one thing, you guys are saying something else. Could be you are right, Sikhs abroad are still jumping up and down about the Khalsa thing whereas those at home have fallen in line following the defeat of the extremists at the Golden Temple in 1984.

 

[Robert]

UK should give citizenship to at least the indian christians if not the sikhs.

Why?

 

[Robert]

btw British gov should say sorry for Bengal famine first

Why? They didn’t cause it. Perhaps India should seek an apology from Japan for causing the refugee crisis into Bengal, and then the Hindu Gods for destroying the harvest.

 

[gani999]

Christians and Sikhs are among the most prosperous, happy and respected Indian citizens. Those labour MPs seem pretty clueless.

 

[gani999]

Lower caste Hindus don't form a sizeable number of voters in some UK constituencies that is why their issues are not addressed. Sikhs and Christians are a vocal minority here, and that is why Britain will hear more about their issues than Dalits or any other downtrodden group which is based mostly in India. If there was more awareness of lower caste problems then Brits would probably address them as well.

There. That sounds far more accurate.

 

[CricketCartoons]

Why?

They will be part of the majority in a first world country. Being a minority, especially in third world, is dangerous.

 

[TM Riddle]

Why? They didn’t cause it. Perhaps India should seek an apology from Japan for causing the refugee crisis into Bengal, and then the Hindu Gods for destroying the harvest.

The lengths people go to defend that vile , racist , pathetic man Winston Churchill.
And here I thought only we desis were into hero worshipping.

 

[good guy]

Why? They didn’t cause it. Perhaps India should seek an apology from Japan for causing the refugee crisis into Bengal, and then the Hindu Gods for destroying the harvest.

fine but you gov should forget about free trade deal agreement

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

The lengths people go to defend that vile , racist , pathetic man Winston Churchill.
And here I thought only we desis were into hero worshipping.

Churchill isn't just a British hero, he's regarded as an inspirational figure in America as well these days. You have to bear in mind, for both countries, winning the world war was a defining point in history for the West. You're a GOT fan so you should understand.

As they say: In the game of thrones, you win, or you die.

 

[barah_admi]

Just Christians and Sikhs?

I guess rolling out the red carpet for Modis visit wasn't enough of a slap in the face of Muslims. Corbyn was the only senior politician at the time to raise concerns, let's hope he does it again.

 

[MenInG]

Human rights organisations in the United Kingdom are urging India to free a Scottish man who has been held without trial for more than three years, as fears grow that he could ultimately face the death penalty.

Jagtar Singh Johal, from Dumbarton in Scotland, has been held in India since his arrest in Punjab in November 2017, after travelling to the northern region for his wedding.

He is currently being held at the high-security Tihar Jail, in the capital, New Delhi.

Indian authorities accuse Johal, who is of Sikh background, of being involved in a series of killings of Hindu leaders in Punjab, a Sikh-majority region.

Johal, 33, has denied the accusations.

Reprieve, a group that campaigns against the death penalty, on Wednesday called on the UK government to seek Johal’s release, warning if convicted, some of the charges could see him face execution.

Reprieve said it was concerned that the risk of Johal being sentenced to death “is high given the politicised nature of this case” and the “current political climate” in India, which is headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu-nationalist government.

Executions are rare in India, but four men were hanged at New Delhi’s Tihar jail in March last year after being found guilty in an infamous case, of raping and murdering a woman on a bus in the capital in 2012.

Reprieve said it had written a joint letter with the human rights charity Redress and Free Jaggi Now campaign to UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab over Johal’s case.

“We are talking about a young British man facing a death sentence on trumped-up political charges,” said Dan Dolan, the charity’s deputy director.

Dolan added it was “just not good enough” for the UK’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to make “generic requests” for due process.

“Action from the British Government could save Jagtar’s life and bring him home to his family,” he said. “Why won’t they call for his release?”

Allegations of torture
Court documents concerning Johal’s case show authorities claim he was a member of the Khalistan Liberation Front (KLF), an organisation described in the charge sheets against him as an international “terrorist gang”, the BBC reported on Wednesday.

But Johal told the BBC via his lawyer that he had been “falsely implicated” by Indian authorities and said he was physically tortured into signing a blank confession.

“They made me sign blank pieces of paper and asked me to say certain lines in front of a camera under fear of extreme torture,” he said via his lawyer.

Al Jazeera was unable to independently verify the allegations of torture, which Indian authorities have denied, telling the BBC there was “no evidence of mistreatment or torture as alleged”.

In response to Al Jazeera’s request for comment, the FCDO said Raab had raised Johal’s case with his Indian counterpart during a visit to India last month.

“We have consistently raised concerns about his case with the government of India, including allegations of torture and mistreatment and his right to a fair trial,” an FCDO spokesperson said in a statement.

“We will continue to raise our concerns directly with the government of India, including the need for an investigation into the allegations of torture.”

At the time of publication, the Indian embassy in the UK had not responded to Al Jazeera’s request for comment.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021...es-raise-alarm-over-british-man-held-in-india

 

[daytrader]

Jagtar Singh Johal case: UK spy agencies accused of tip-off that led to torture

UK intelligence agencies are accused of tipping off Indian authorities about a British national before his abduction and alleged torture by Punjab police.

Jagtar Singh Johal, from Dumbarton, was in India in 2017 when his family say he was forced into an unmarked car.

He says he was then tortured over days, including with electrocution. He has remained in detention since then.

Successive British prime ministers have raised his case but India's government denies he was tortured or mistreated.

In May, Mr Johal was formally charged with conspiracy to commit murder and being a member of a terrorist gang. He will be presented with a full list of the charges against him next month and faces a possible death penalty.

Now the human rights group Reprieve has shown the BBC documentation that it says is compelling evidence that his arrest followed a tip-off from British intelligence.

The UK government says it will not comment on an ongoing legal case.

Scot held in India faces murder conspiracy charge
Reprieve says it has matched several details relating to his case to a specific claim of mistreatment documented in a report by the watchdog that oversees the intelligence agencies.

"In the course of an investigation", says the Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office (IPCO) report, "MI5 passed intelligence to a liaison partner via the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6).

"The subject of the intelligence was arrested by the liaison partner in their country. The individual told the British Consular Official that he had been tortured."

Mr Johal is not named in the report, but Reprieve's investigators are adamant the facts match his case due to the dates concerned, the lobbying by British prime ministers and supporting evidence detailed in the Indian press.

In 2017, the Hindustan Times reported that Mr Johal had "come under the scanner" after "a source in the UK" provided the Punjab police with "vague information" about a key man, "Johal".

The Indian authorities accuse Mr Johal of involvement in murders they claim are related to Sikh nationalism, though he denies any wrongdoing.

Mr Johal was an active blogger and campaigner for Sikh human rights, which are said to have brought him to the attention of the Indian authorities.

But his brother Gurpreet told the BBC he was not aware of any activity that could be considered illegal.

Mr Johal is currently being held in a Delhi prison. He has alleged that, following his arrest, he was held incommunicado, was brutally interrogated for hours on end, and was initially denied access to lawyers or British consular officials.

He says he was made to sign blank sheets of paper that were later used against him as a false confession.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he raised Mr Johal's case with his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, during a trip to India in April this year. His predecessor, Theresa May, also raised the case with the Indian government during her tenure.

On 12 August, Mr Johal lodged a claim in the High Court against the Foreign Office, the Home Office and the attorney general, alleging that UK intelligence agencies unlawfully shared information with the Indian authorities when there was a risk he could be tortured.

Reprieve says this case suggests the government has failed to fix longstanding shortcomings in its policy on torture and the death penalty, and has learned little from past failings such as the MI6 tip-off that led to the rendition and torture of Libyan dissident Abdulhakim Belhaj.

Commenting on the allegations, MP Steve Baker said: "This appalling case, where UK intelligence sharing has been linked to brutal torture, illustrates vividly why the National Security Bill needs to be improved."

Responding on behalf of all three accused government departments, the Foreign Office said: "It would be inappropriate to comment on an ongoing legal case."

BBC

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Johals are a very prominent people in UK. Ultimately, antiterrorism should be applied across the board. If he's a terrorist, he should be tried.

 

[MenInG]

The brother of a Sikh man detained in India for five years says it is "distressing and astonishing" that the UK government may have played a part in his incarceration.

In May, Jagtar Singh Johal, 35, from Dumbarton, was charged with conspiracy to commit murder.

His family claim he was abducted and tortured by Punjab police.

The UK intelligence agencies MI5 and MI6 have now been accused of tipping off Indian authorities.

Mr Johal's family have been fighting for his release and successive British prime ministers have raised his case with the Indian authorities.

Mr Johal has also been charged with being a member of a terrorist gang and could be facing the death penalty.

He was an active blogger and campaigner for Sikh human rights, which are said to have brought him to the attention of the Indian authorities.

They say the charges are related to Sikh nationalism, although Mr Johal denies any wrongdoing.

Lawyers for Mr Johal have lodged a complaint against the UK government after human rights group Reprieve uncovered evidence suggesting MI5 and MI6 passed information about a British national to foreign authorities who then detained and tortured them, which matches details in Mr Johal's case.

An investigation by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention ruled in May that there was no legal basis for Mr Johal's detention in India, citing multiple violations of his human rights - including claims he was tortured into signing a false "confession", through electric shocks to his ear lobes, nipples, and genitals.

The UK government says it will not comment on an ongoing legal case.

Mr Johal's brother Gurpreet, who lives in Glasgow, told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme, the family had been through a "living nightmare" over the last five years and had been failed by the UK government.

"To hear that the UK government, who should be protecting their citizens, was involved in this is distressing and astonishing," he said. "They need to be bringing my brother back home. They've failed the family for the last five years and are continuing to do so. Enough is enough.

"It's disappointing if Boris Johnson and Theresa May were involved, given they have raised it to the highest level. Was that all just lip service that they were providing to the family, knowing that they were involved?

"It's concerning, but they can still fix this wrong by bringing Jagtar home. He's lost the last five years of his life and the whole family have been facing this nightmare."

He later told the BBC News Channel his brother had been "betrayed" by the UK government.

Gurpeet Johal said that two weeks after getting married in India in November 2017, Mr Johal was out shopping with his wife and a cousin when their car was intercepted by unknown men. He said his brother was hooded, bundled into a van and taken away. He has remained incarcerated since.

'My brother is innocent'

"It's been a nightmare upon a nightmare," he said. "How do I tell my kids that are 9 and 11 years old that the UK government are failing their uncle. My brother is innocent and if the Indian government had the alleged evidence against him he would have been charged, tried and convicted which results in the death penalty. It's taken them almost five years to bring charges.

"Our family are scared now that Jagtar might be falsely convicted and hang. This is the reality of the consequences of what the British government has done.

"A British national should never have been tortured to sign a blank confession."

Gurpeet Johal said the last time he spoke to his brother was in March and it was very brief.

"Over the last five years we've literally had about 10 calls with him," he said.

Speaking about the latest revelations, the family's MP Martin Docherty-Hughes MP said: "This is a truly astonishing and unanticipated development in Jagtar's case which raises massive questions not only for his family in Dumbarton, and for the millions of UK citizens who travel to India regularly, but also for those who study UK Foreign Policy in practice.

"If proven, these allegations risk destroying whatever confidence Britain's Sikh, and other minority populations, had in the security services, and by extension calls into question what value the UK government saw in this shadowy transaction.

"As Jagtar's constituency MP, I want to know which UK government ministers were in the chain which ultimately led to this intelligence being shared; what they knew about the risks of torture should Jagtar be detained by the Indian police and ultimately what the conceivable interest to UK citizens could have been from offering one of our own up in this fashion."

Alistair Carmichael, Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman, said: "These allegations are extremely serious and very alarming. No-one - especially not a British citizen - should ever face torture or execution as a result of information shared by the UK's intelligence services.

"Government ministers must urgently explain whether they authorised this intelligence-sharing, and if so why. This is sadly not the first case like this we have seen, but it must be the last."

On 12 August, Mr Johal lodged a claim in the High Court against the Foreign Office, the Home Office and the attorney general, alleging that UK intelligence agencies unlawfully shared information with the Indian authorities when there was a risk he could be tortured.

BBC

 

[daytrader]

Rishi Sunak was accused of making MPs feel “very depressed” after he sidestepped pleas to publicly call for the release of Briton Jagtar Singh Johal.

The Prime Minister was also urged to tell Mr Johal’s family what he is doing on their behalf to end the six-year detention of the Scottish Sikh blogger.

Mr Johal, from Dumbarton, was in Punjab in northern India for his wedding in 2017 when his family said he was arrested and bundled into an unmarked car.

He said he has been tortured, including through electric shocks, and faces the death penalty over his activism and campaigning for Sikh human rights.

Mr Sunak raised the case of Mr Johal when he met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the fringes of the G20 summit in New Delhi last weekend.

But Conservative Alicia Kearns, who chairs the Foreign Affairs Committee, said MPs were unclear about the outcomes of the discussions.

She said: “Will the Government now finally officially call for him to be released because the UN has accepted he is arbitrarily detained and does the Prime Minister believe that he has been unfairly treated or even tortured whilst he’s been held?”

Mr Sunak replied: “We are committed to seeing Mr Johal’s case resolved as soon as possible.

“We continue to provide consular assistance to him and his family and have raised concerns about issues including consular access to Mr Johal, the judicial process and reports of mistreatment with the Indian government on multiple occasions, including myself with Prime Minister Modi just this weekend.”

MSN

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/ukne...bef92031c621b5b5&ei=9&fullscreen=true#image=1

 

[PakLFC]

After the UK discussed this issue Biden has too spoken to Modi about the persecution of minorities in India. Modi has taken it in to account then responded by bulldozing more homes of Muslim people, destroying shrines and murdering more Kashmiris. Also the killing of Christian's in Manipur has been accelerated as a form of preserving the rights of minorities. As we see Biden and Rishi Sunak have succeeded in their warnings if that is what they were.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Neither Biden or Sunak will do anything to prevent persecution of minorities, their main concern is to make money from India. If Modi can keep a lid on the repression of minorities to his own regions and avoid it spilling outside Bharat's borders, then Britain and the US won't raise too much of a fuss.

That said, would probably be better to keep the ethnic cleansing to Muslim or Sikhs, as both USA and UK are majority Christian countries, an attack on Christians in Bharat would definitely create more backlash.

 

[BouncerGuy]

It is not right to discriminate against any religion anywhere around the world. May it be USA, UK or INDIA or Pakistan.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Pakistan has no right to utter the word minority let alone talk about other nations in this regard.

This is a country that doesn’t even protect the rights of Shia and Ahmadi Muslims , even doesn’t consider them Muslims and they have the guts to talk about religious minorities. No wonder nobody takes these comments seriously coming from the West of Wagah.

 

[pillionrider]

Neither Biden or Sunak will do anything to prevent persecution of minorities, their main concern is to make money from India. If Modi can keep a lid on the repression of minorities to his own regions and avoid it spilling outside Bharat's borders, then Britain and the US won't raise too much of a fuss.

That said, would probably be better to keep the ethnic cleansing to Muslim or Sikhs, as both USA and UK are majority Christian countries, an attack on Christians in Bharat would definitely create more backlash.

It's been happening for a while. Manipur, being the most brutal example. Your Rishi meanwhile doesn't seem to care and is focused on chanting Jai Shri Ram and proving he is a proud Hindu.

He seems to have learnt well from Modi. Just talk about Hinduism to Indian audiences and distract from the fact that he's doing nothing that will particularly benefit India or the likes of @Rajdeep.

 

[Rajdeep]

It's been happening for a while. Manipur, being the most brutal example. Your Rishi meanwhile doesn't seem to care and is focused on chanting Jai Shri Ram and proving he is a proud Hindu.

He seems to have learnt well from Modi. Just talk about Hinduism to Indian audiences and distract from the fact that he's doing nothing that will particularly benefit India or the likes of @Rajdeep.

This is the problem when you know nothing but still have you type something random. Why would Rishi Sunak comment on Manipur? General public and opposition will shred him apart for focussing on other country rather its own. Do you expect Modi ji to speak about Rotherdam grooming gangs?

Sunak is a proud hindu and openly said that. Too bad that likes of you can't digest it but not sure why his personal faith is concerning you? Why would he do something to benefit India or Indians like me? His job is to serve United Kingdom and not for any other country.

 

[Rajdeep]

BTW @pillionrider ...didn't YOUR PM Shri Narendra Modi spoke about Manipur in parliament when opposition ran away with tail between their legs?

Pls spare MY PM Shri Rishi Sunak in your countries internal matters. Thank you

 

[cricketjoshila]

It's been happening for a while. Manipur, being the most brutal example. Your Rishi meanwhile doesn't seem to care and is focused on chanting Jai Shri Ram and proving he is a proud Hindu.

He seems to have learnt well from Modi. Just talk about Hinduism to Indian audiences and distract from the fact that he's doing nothing that will particularly benefit India or the likes of @Rajdeep.

Your hatred for Hindus and your thinking that foreigners should interfere in India is despicable

 

[cricketjoshila]

BTW @pillionrider ...didn't YOUR PM Shri Narendra Modi spoke about Manipur in parliament when opposition ran away with tail between their legs?

Pls spare MY PM Shri Rishi Sunak in your countries internal matters. Thank you

He is following RaGa who thinks foreigners should interfere and remove Modi.

 

[PakLFC]

Neither Pak nor India have the right to lecture each other on human rights issues. We just burnt so many churches in Pak a few weeks back also we know how the Ahmadi community and Hindu's are treated in our country. We also know what is happening in India as well with Manipur, IoK and the seven sisters region. Let both countries eradicate their own problems instead of blaming the other. Biden and Sunak go to India because it is where the business and money are. No one comes to a bankrupt country like our Pak. I have no issues with western countries criticizing the horrible human rights abuses of both Pak and India.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Neither Pak nor India have the right to lecture each other on human rights issues. We just burnt so many churches in Pak a few weeks back also we know how the Ahmadi community and Hindu's are treated in our country. We also know what is happening in India as well with Manipur, IoK and the seven sisters region. Let both countries eradicate their own problems instead of blaming the other. Biden and Sunak go to India because it is where the business and money are. No one comes to a bankrupt country like our Pak. I have no issues with western countries criticizing the horrible human rights abuses of both Pak and India.

You can say all this about Pakistan.

But Bharat has always sheltered the minorities and enabled them to prosper.

Don’t compare us to yourselves. It’s a humble request.
We are not the same bro

 

[PakLFC]

You can say all this about Pakistan.

But Bharat has always sheltered the minorities and enabled them to prosper.

Don’t compare us to yourselves. It’s a humble request.
We are not the same bro

Luckily we are not the same! You need to tell this to the EU and Amnesty international as well as Indian people like Ashok Swain and Arundhati Roy among others who regularly point out the terrible condition of Indian minorities. Tell them how great things are with the Christians, Muslims and Dalits. We all know how Muslim homes are being bulldozed in India...the list is too long here but you get the idea. The only thing is Pak accepts it's problems where as India does not. If Indian people point out our record then Pak's like me will show them the mirror.

 

[PakLFC]

How many Indian's here have visited Pak? I guarantee not even one yet they like to pass judgement on how terrible things are. When we do the same they start crying in their cornflakes.

 

[PakLFC]

There are always two sides to a coin. I would like to mention that many Pak non Muslim's are doing very well too. They are business people, singers, models, military people and many in Pakistani drama's too. So if India has SRK then we have the likes of Deepak Perwani too. Unfortunately, as Pak cinema is very weak compared to Bollywood we can't showcase non Muslim movie stars.

 

[PakLFC]

By the way as per this thread it is the UK that has taken up the condition of minorities in India, not Pak. Tell them and Rishi Sunak that minorities are thriving. There is no discrimination in India at all rather everyone is living the dream. Joe Biden has also bought it up too. Pak's here are just telling Indian people what the UK and USA are saying about them. Don't shoot the messenger. Indian's are hyper sensitive.

 

[FearlessRoar]

The foreign secretary has urged the Indian government to "speed up" the case of a Scottish man detained in India for more than six years.

Jagtar Singh Johal, a 37-year-old Sikh activist, faces terror charges in connection with political violence in the north of the country.

Mr Johal's brother, Gurpreet Singh Johal, met with Lord Cameron on Monday.

However, he said he "expected more" from the encounter with the former prime minister.

"The UK government could bring my brother home tomorrow if they really wanted to," he added.

"I said to David Cameron that my brother's life is in your hands, because the foreign secretary makes the decision, it's you that can call and bring my brother back home."

The UK government said it was committed to seeing the case resolved.

Mr Johal's family said his life depended on the foreign secretary's intervention.

Jagtar Singh Johal, from Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire, was arrested in India in November 2017, just weeks after his wedding there.

A cross-party group of MPs has said that having arrested him, "interrogators electrocuted him, and threatened to douse him in petrol and set him alight".

They also said that to make the torture stop "Jagtar recorded video statements and signed blank pieces of paper".

These allegations have been denied by the Indian authorities. He is currently facing eight charges of conspiracy to murder, linked to political violence in India.

Lord Cameron is the sixth foreign secretary to be in post since Mr Johal's arrest.

"I take incredibly seriously any case of a British citizen imprisoned in another country," he said.

"As foreign secretary, I've looked at the case, I've examined all the paperwork, I wanted to meet with the family and hear what they think.

"I want to really stress that as an incoming foreign secretary, you don't just accept what the government has said up to now, you really look at it, you really ask the questions."

The previous foreign secretary, James Cleverly, met the family and spoke to India about Mr Johal's detainment.

However, he did not call for his release.

"That the Indian government has got to speed up this case," Lord Cameron added.

"We also want to keep the consular access that we've had.

"What I've said to the family, is that I'm going to go back to my office, I'm going to look at the paperwork all over again, I'm going to take into account what they've said and see whether there's a different approach we should be taking.

"I've made absolutely no promises that it will be different, but I take these cases very seriously and I will re-examine everything and make sure that we are doing the right thing."

Jagtar Singh Johal's brother Gurpreet Singh Johal, who is a lawyer and Labour councillor, thanked Lord Cameron for meeting him but he had "no good answers to my questions".

"I expected more," he said. "I expected answers from the UK government as to why they've not called for Jagtar's release - he didn't do that.

"He promised to come back to me with a proper definitive answer soon - and I'm going to hold him to that."

Mr Johal said not being able to speak to his brother was heart-breaking for the entire family.

It was his 37th birthday on Friday and his family were unable to reach him in prison for a scheduled phone call.

"No-one is suggesting [Lord Cameron] should browbeat India," said Mr Johal. "He just needs to work constructively with their government to negotiate my brother's return. "The reality is that 'consular access' means one visit every six weeks, and a note to the family about whether Jagtar gets video calls or has a TV in his cell.

"It's pathetic that this is the extent of the UK government's concerns when a British national is arbitrarily detained for six years and counting, on the basis of a torture confession."

He said the foreign secretary had committed to scheduling a follow-up meeting.

Mr Johal's trial for the eight most serious cases against him started in 2022 but he still has not been convicted of any crime.

In May 2022, a UN panel of human rights experts found his detention was arbitrary - in other words lacked legal basis - and he should be released.

India has always maintained that due process was being followed in the case.

Source: BBC

India urged to 'speed up' over detained Jagtar Singh Johal case

Lord Cameron, the foreign secretary, pledges to re-examine the case of Sikh activist Jagtar Singh Johal.

www.bbc.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

That's why there is a need for Khalistan.

 

[JaDed]

That's why there is a need for Khalistan.

Sure with Lahore as capital.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Sure with Lahore as capital.

I suggest Amritsar as the capital.

 

[Statpadder Inc]

I suggest Amritsar as the capital.

An independent khalistan with lahore as capital and encompassing the entire region of both the Punjab.

Lahore is the rightful capital of an independent khalistan

 

[JaDed]

I suggest Amritsar as the capital.

Naw Lahore was the Sikh empire capital, so it has to be the same.
Raj karega Khalsa!

 

[Champ_Pal]

Britain should concentrate on protecting its own minorities first. They should also stop harboring wanted terrorists in their country.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Johal should have went straight to Rishi Sunak or Priti Patel, as Indian Brits they would have a better understanding of how India works, and also share the same Brahmic background that Cameron lacks.

 

[Mesozoic]

That's why there is a need for Khalistan.

You guys need to let go of these Khalistani , Kashmiri fantasies. Much bigger chance of Pakistan getting balkanized than any of the above two leaving the Indian union.

 

[FearlessRoar]

First minister calls for release of Scots Sikh imprisoned in India​

The first minister has said he is “gravely concerned” about the continued detention of a Scottish Sikh man in prison in India.

John Swinney called for the immediate release of Jagtar Singh Johal who has been held for almost seven years in connection with alleged terror offences.

The FM spoke extensively to Mr Johal’s brother Gurpreet Singh Johal during a meeting at the Scottish Parliament.

Mr Johal said the UK government had a "responsibility to act" to bring his brother home.

Jagtar Singh Johal, from Dumbarton, was arrested in India in November 2017, just weeks after his wedding there.

He is currently facing charges of conspiracy to murder, linked to political violence in India.

In May 2022, a UN panel of human rights experts found his detention was arbitrary - in other words lacked legal basis - and he should be released.

After today’s meeting, the first minister said: “I am gravely concerned at the continued detention of Jagtar Singh Johal and allegations of his mistreatment and torture in custody.

“Jagtar should be released immediately in line with the recommendations of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.”

The cases of British nationals detained abroad are managed by the UK government.

Swinney said his Scottish government would continue lobbying the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and UK government to use every lever at their disposal to call for Mr Johal's release.

Gurpreet Singh Johal, a Labour councillor, said he was grateful to the first minister for making his brother's case a priority.

He said: "Jagtar has already lost almost seven years of his life to these false charges.

"He’s trapped in a legal process that is endless by design – we’ve seen similar cases last decades.

"When a British citizen is imprisoned for no reason overseas, their government has a responsibility to act.

"The previous government failed our family; I’m hopeful that this government will bring my brother back home to Dumbarton where he belongs.”

Harriet McCulloch, deputy director of human rights group Reprieve, said Mr Johal's supporters were "extremely grateful" for the first minister's support.

She said: "We hope the prime minister will listen to what the first minister has to say, respond with appropriate urgency, and do whatever it takes to bring Jagtar home to his family."

The Indian authorities have repeatedly said due process is being followed in the case.

First minister calls for release of Scot imprisoned in India

Jon Swinney says he will continue to lobby the UK government on Jagtar Singh Johal's case.

www.bbc.com

 

[Champ_Pal]

What will Britain or Scotland do? They need to first take care of their own extremists in their country. I see they are doing very well over there.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

What will Britain or Scotland do? They need to first take care of their own extremists in their country. I see they are doing very well over there.

Is Jagtar Singh a terrorist?

 

[deltexas]

Is Jagtar Singh a terrorist?

Do you have the chargesheet or the fir that was filed on him? That would indicate what charges he is facing. Per the article he is facing charges of conspiracy to murder, linked to political violence in India. If an Ind Citizen is facing the same char3in UK- wouldthe UK release him without legal procedures??

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Is Jagtar Singh a terrorist?

I think he may be talking about Tommy Robinson.