M A I N   N E W S

Sikh blacklist has only 28 hardcore criminals
MHA reviewing list, awaits Punjab’s response in other cases
Ajay Banerjee/TNS

New Delhi, July 19
Only 28 persons on the infamous blacklist of Sikhs living abroad since times of militancy in Punjab have been found to be facing serious criminal cases in India.

Sources in the Home Ministry said 185 cases had been forwarded by the ministry to Punjab for verification before the blacklist could be pruned. The ministry is reviewing the blacklist and is keen on removing some names, however, those who face criminal cases cannot be exonerated and shown any leniency, while those who have no cases against them cannot be stopped from coming into India, said the sources. Almost all 28 have been declared proclaimed offenders and some of them are India’s most wanted elements, hence there is no chance for any executive authority to exonerate them.

Out of the list of 185 sent by the ministry to Punjab, the actual names on the list, after screening them for the repetition of names and aliases, is now down to 169. Some of them had a radical ideology during their youth but were never booked for any criminal act. So far, the Centre has not received anything in writing from Punjab as several security agencies were also vetting the names on the blacklist.

The process was aimed at identifying those who got involved with militant groups during the 1980’s and early 1990’s but over a period of time have distanced themselves from the “movement”. Officials admit there were several persons on the list who had made an occasional “anti-India” speech or attended an occasional meeting of separatist groups, and now their names would be struck off. While several NRIs had now undergone a change in ideology, their children were being denied visas for no fault of theirs, it has been pointed out. Besides many, who fled the country then on the grounds of police atrocity, were actually using militancy as an excuse to migrate to the West - the El Dorado for Punjabis. Punjab officials have conveyed to the Centre that the best is to allow some of these “reformed” elements so that they can see for themselves that the state as well as the Sikh community is prospering. The “rule of law” is in force. Separately, punishing the criminals for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots will also go a long way in establishing India’s seriousness.

Senior Home Ministry officials admitted that there had been concern over upsurge in Khalistani ideology in foreign countries. The most recent were the protests when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was in Canada in June. In 2008, India had lodged a protest with Canada as a pro-Khalistani parade had been allowed.