Sir,

So the entire world watched with interest the 9th general elections in India. The results of these elections have made many people very happy and some others not so. One thing however preeminently stands out: Indian voters have soundly rejected Rajiv Gandhi as a national leader to lead India. It is a pity and a shame that sycophants in the congress parliamentary party have again elected him as a leader. To me his defeat marked the happiest hour for which many right thinking people in the country including octogenarian diplomat and only surviving Nehru Mrs. Vijaylakshmi Pandit were long waiting. Of course the entire Sikh nation was praying for it.

As a Sikh, I was curious as to the outcome of those elections in Punjab Congress was not only soundly beaten in spite of Governor Ray’s unwarranted and unconstitutional interference in the elections but we also saw the election of ten candidates supported by those favoring a sovereign Sikh homeland. It must also be noted that candidates of center supported Akali Dal of Barnala, Talwandis and the like have been completely routed. Sardar Simranjit Singh Mann I.P.S. who has been elected, while in jail on trumped up charges of conspiracy in Indira Gandhi’s murder case, with significant plurality of voters has emerged as the leader of these members. Of parliament. Incidentally upon his election, Sardar Mann has been released from the jail and all the charges have been withdrawn.

I have been closely and carefully monitoring Sardar Mann’s recent statements after his release from the Bhagalpur jail. In his address at the Akal Takht Sahib in Amritsar, he said that he will follow the path shown by his leader Sant Jarnail Singh Ji Bhinderwale (The Tribune Dec 10, 89). We all hope he does and we all also know what Sant Jistood for. I am afraid, if he settled for anything short of Khalistan, the Sikh nation would not like it after many sacrifices.

I understand that Sardar Mann is agreeable to the now defunct Anandpur Sahib resolution and he is also seeking those areas which were deliberately left out of Punjab during the 1966 reorganization.

It may not be out of place to put Sardar Mann on the notice that Sikh Nation will not settle for anything short of sovereign Sikh homeland. Let us not lose sight of the big demographic truth. A minority of 2% will always be at the mercy of the majority community which comprises of 80% or so of the country’s population. Consequently one man, one vote will always result in the domination by the majority community over the minority community, with that strength, enactment of draconian laws by the national parliament to suppress even the genuine and legitimate aspirations of the minorities will always be a reality. Thus minorities will seldom have a chance of survival yet alone live peacefully and breathe, as equal citizens, the free air and enjoy the glow of freedom. Sardar Mann now has the near absolute mandate of the entire Sikh nation and he should speak fearlessly as their representative and deliver the following message. “Withdraw the occupying forces from Sikh homeland and let us sit down with the experts to demarcate the new boundaries and live happily thereafter as neighbors” That is the goal of the Sikh nation and the finest hour we are all waiting for.

Amarjit Singh Buttar  Vernon, CT

Article extracted from this publication >> January 19, 1990