CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND PEACE ADVOCACY
31st Session United Nations Human Rights Council
ITEM 5
General Debate
Date: 16th March, 2016
Presenter: Awatar Singh Sekhon
Mr President,
I wish to inform you that the situation of minorities, in the largest democracy of South Asia, is highly grave and alarming. These minorities are the Sikhs, Muslims in general, Christians, Buddhists, Dalits, etc., to say the least. Recently, Jats 'reservation' demand has re-emerged in Haryana.
Before the 1984 genocide in Punjab and elsewhere in India, the riparian River waters for agricultural and other needs of Punjab have been diverted deliberately to Haryana and Rajasthan. Despite protests of people, Sikh farmers' problems are without address. The bureaucratic machinery now unnecessarily harasses the farmers who provided the ‘green revolution’ in India
Mr President,
Following genocide of people, the table water level in Punjab has dropped to as low as 150-meter. Riparian river waters are the prime source to irrigate crops. Now the riparian state's river waters does not meet their own requirements. However, the neighbouring states have been enjoying the river waters, without making any payment. So much so, the river water by product, electricity, etc. is given to the Delhi State, under the orders of the federal administration. The fundamentalist and militant administration has turned a deaf ear to Punjab's problem. Further, there have been thousands of Punjab farmers who commit suicide every year, because they are debt ridden and are unable to pay their debts.
Besides, the Punjab and Haryana administrations are up in arms for the Punjab's riparian river waters.
Mr President,
It is requested to you, Sir, and the highly esteemed Council (UN: HRC) to send a team of experts to assess the Punjab's River waters situation, in order to assist the agricultural community of Punjab.
I thank you, Sir
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