The World - News from May 21, 1985

India’s lower house of Parliament, in response to a wave of Sikh bombings, approved the toughest anti-terrorist legislation since the nation’s independence in 1947. For the next two years, it provides the death penalty for terrorist killings; prison terms for “disruptive activities,” including songs, paintings or books deemed to undermine India’s unity; special closed courts, and immunity from prosecution for officials carrying out the legislation. Parliament’s upper house, also controlled by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, is expected to pass the bill.