A Judge in the UK has ordered the declassification of documents that are expected to throw some light on Britain's true nature of involvement in Operation Blue Star in 1984, dismissing the British government's argument that the move could damage diplomatic ties with India.
The relationship that is already in doldrums after the student visa row over a 'Memorandum of Understanding' (MoU) involving illegal immigrants has reached its peak this week.
Judge Murray Shanks, who presided over the three day hearing of the first tier tribunal in London in March, ruled on Monday 11 June that a majority of the files relating to this period 'must be made public' and rejected Downing Street's argument that declassifying the papers would 'hamper' UK-India diplomatic ties.
It is believed that Indira Gandhi led Congress government had sought assistance from Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher while preparing Indian Army's operation on Golden Temple. In 2014, UK government documents declassified under the 30-year rule to make material public and it had revealed that British military advice was given to Indian forces prior to Operation Blue Star. The then Prime Minister David Cameron had ordered the review into this discovery, named as the Heywood Review, which led to a statement in the Parliament declaring that Britain's role had been purely "advisory" and the advice provided by the country's Special Air Service (SAS) had "limited impact in practice".
The PTI reported that the judge, however, did accept that one file marked "India: Political", from the UK's Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC), could contain information that relates to British spy agencies MI5, MI6 and GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters) and therefore the Cabinet Office was entitled to rely on a technicality that exempts such material from the Freedom of Information (FOI) request appeal.
"We recognise that the period we are concerned with was a highly sensitive one in India's recent history and the strength of feeling it continues to evoke... it should also be remembered that the fact that 30 years has gone by is bound to have reduced any prejudice that may have resulted from release of the withheld material," the judgment notes.
But Phil Miller, the author of 'Sacrificing Sikhs: The need for an investigation' report released last year, said that only 'full transparency' could tell the true nature of Britain's involvement.
The UK Cabinet Office has been given time until July 11 to appeal against the First Tier Tribunal's decision. Alternatively, it must make the relevant documents available to Miller for his research by July 12. The Cabinet Office reportedly said it would be issue its response in due course.
The Sikh Federation UK in a statement said, “(We) provided direct evidence for the tribunal and made robust public interest arguments during the hearing that have been recognised in the ruling...”
The Labour party has made a manifesto commitment to hold an independent public enquiry and following the ruling the leader and deputy leader were requested to issue a statement and increase pressure on the Prime Minister.
Bhai Amrik Singh, Chair of Sikh Federation UK in a statement said, “We welcome this judgement that confirms the Heywood review was limited and will add the evidence we already presented to prove that it was a whitewash...
“Theresa May should reflect on the judgement and accept the British Sikh community and the public deserve the truth mearly 35 years later with an independent public inquiry. She should not listen to those paranoid about relations with India...”
