The Khalistan movement is not against any individual or religion as such but against tyranny and economic oppression and for a truly democratic and independent state. The Punjabi Hindu, it needs to be stressed yet again, would be much better of in Khalistan. There are strong indications that this minority community which controls a large part of the business in Punjab, is coming around to this viewpoint as well.
The success of the June 7 strike call in Punjab was heartening to note. The five member Panthic Committee (Dr. Sohan Singh) and the four major militant organisations were all praise for the Hindu community for backing their strike call. The unstinted support of the Punjabi Hindus could precipitate the issue and hasten the end of the decade long suffering of 40 million people.
The Hindus of Punjab are suffering as much due to the lopsided economic policies of Delhi against the state ever since the so called independence in 1947 from the British. Many efforts have been made to persuade Delhi to start industrializing the state as the farming capacity neared saturation. The stock reply directly has been that being a border state with Pakistan it would be risky to start any heavy industry there. As things stand the Hindu businessman cannot prosper if the Sikh farmer is impoverished.
The Panthic Committee has made it amply clear that the Khalistan movement condemns extortions, kidnapping and murder of innocent people. Many adventurers, criminals and opportunists roam the countryside and towns in the garb of freedom fighters. Hindus and Sikhs alike must defend themselves and each other against such common criminals. The Panthic Committee said only true Sikhs could pick up arms to protect the people and to fight oppression and tyranny. The faith confers this right upon those who follow the tenets of Sikhism when all peaceful means to secure justice fail.
War with Pakistan has been averted for the time being. Sikh and Kashmiri nationalists had placed much hope in winning their independence from India in this conflict. This war is inevitable and when it comes the Sikhs will be prepared. In this lull before the storm, the Punjabi Hindu must do some serious soul searching. Just a generation ago hundreds of thousands Hindus and Sikhs were uprooted from Pakistan. They started from scratch and made good in all fields. It would be a great pity if the scenario is repeated.
Khalistan will be achieved no matter how long it takes or what the sacrifice. The leadership of the movement knew all along that if all Punjabis irrespective of caste or creed threw their weight behind it, the task would be made much simpler. Earlier, it was too much to hope for the support of non-Sikhs in this struggle, today it is not Khalistan is a fact. The people who will inhabit it will have made their decision now.
The efforts of the Panthic Committee in involving more and more people, especially non Sikhs are indeed laudable. We must spare no effort to strengthen the Committee in its great and difficult endeavor.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 29, 1990
