(Washington, DC) – SALDEF is deeply concerned about the ongoing situation in Punjab, including reports about the suspension of internet services and restrictions on the social media accounts of non-government-aligned reporters, organizations, and members of the public in India and throughout the world.
The Sikh American community stands with the global sangat expressing their concerns about limitations on the rights of reporters, human rights, and free expression in India. Free expression is a cornerstone of an engaged and active democracy.
As demonstrated in SALDEF’s report on global censorship of our community during the 2020-21 Punjab Farmers’ Protest, “When #Sikh Was Banned Worldwide,” the Indian government has a record of using similar tactics to limit the voice of the Sikh community in India and around the globe.
SALDEF is connecting with the Biden Administration to share concerns. We encourage you to contact your public officials and the media to raise awareness and encourage them to speak out on the ongoing situation. There are many ways you can help join the fight:
- Send a message to the U.S. Congress
- Write an op-ed for your local paper or blog
- Report any incidents of online censorship or harassment to us
Background Information on the History of Censorship:
As outlined in our Censorship Report and by numerous human rights organizations, including ENSAAF and Amnesty International, the Indian government has a history of using repressive tactics to stifle protest and oppose dissent. These include:
- Shutting down internet access in regions of the country
- Restricting access to social media accounts and ordering take-down notices to tech companies, including the accounts of journalists, activists, and elected officials from around the world
- Arrests and detention of activists, lawyers, and human rights organizers
- Limiting the freedom of assembly and the freedom of the press
For many Sikhs in the diaspora, the current tactics of the Indian and state governments echo the experiences of minority communities across India. They remind people of traumas they and their families experienced in Punjab during the 1970s through the 1990s. These concerns have been heightened due to the actions taken during and in response to the Farmer’s Protests of 2020-2021.