‘The assassination attempts on the Indian Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, and the Punjab Police Chief, Julio Ribeiro have made a mockery of the elaborate security paraphernalia which, for intents and purposes, was considered impenetrable. They are alive today not because of security but because of sheer gool luck. The attacks have demonstrated the essential vulnerability of all men, how’s over important and well protected they may be. In this context, would be worthwhile to recall John F. Kennedy’s candid ‘observation that “no security can prevent a man from killing me who has decided to trade his life with mine”.

‘Consequently, bewailing over the indisputable security lapses or replacing “Black Cats” with Army Commandos can only marginally help. It is more important to determine as to what makes men resort it symptomatic of some the logical culmination of a deeper malady afflicting the sociopolitical fabric? Just a cursory glance at the totally vitiated national scenario is enough to provide the answer.

Indian judiciary, which during the British rule had evolved into ‘one of World’s soundest legal systems, today lies in shambles. It has been so ruthlessly subverted by the ruling hardboiled communal zealots that it dispenses anything but justice. The rule of law stands reduced to a cheap harlot dancing to the tune of degenerate political bosses, aided and abetted by their liveried attendants commonly called police or paramilitary troops. Innocent Sikh youths are being systematically killed in fake encounters. Courts refuse to indict the erring policemen. Judges dismiss all pleas for justice and fair play with a sardonic hostility. Minorities are forced to live as hostages.

‘The assassination attempts follow as a direct consequence of this sordid state of affairs and the increasing Sikh persecution. The events of the past four years unfold a grim saga of arson, looting and killing for which the Sikhs have been continually subjected with not even a seeming gesture of human consideration. Rather, to perpetuate her dynastic rule, late Indira Gandhi had embarked upon a calculated course to disgrace and destroy Sikh identity. Her chief aim was to pander to the communal passions of the majority community. She could not escape the inevitable Nemesis of her actions.

Rajiv, too has donned the same mantle and for the same reasons. His description of the brutal massacre of innocent Sikhs November, 1984, as a “natural rumbling at the fall of a bi reflected his unconcealed contempt for Sikhs as well as approval of the holocaust. His subsequent rewarding of publicly indicted persons like H.K.L. Bhagat and Jag dish Tyler with berths in his Cabinet has made every true Sikh pause and ponders whether any justice or freedom is possible for Sikhs in India. It is a dangerous Situation that fosters anger and alienation. More often then not, it provokes the aggrieved to resort to retaliatory recourses.

Under the circumstances, plugging security loopholes is desirable but to concentrate exclusively on security precautions would not remedy the situation nor would greater repression against Sikhs Serve any purpose. It would only further polarize antagonism.

‘The obsession to woo majority: ‘community’s votes has perverted the national psyche and fractured the secular dream of those valiant men who had smilingly kissed the hangman’s noose for the freedom and glory of India. It would do a lot of good if the majority community were to remember that 80% of the national martyrs were ‘Sikhs. It would do Rajiv even more ‘good if he were to remember that his own grandfather, the first Prime Minister of India did not Require any security when mixing freely with Sikh multitudes. The fault is not with the Sikh: and his buddies. He must face the truth and stop sidetracking the issues if he cares to keep India together. The credibility of the judiciary needs to be restored and immediate remedial steps must be taken to win back the lost confidence of the Sikhs. Let not the pernicious communal considerations adversely sway decisions affecting the legitimate aspirations of the minorities. There in lies India’s good and therein lies the ‘security of its rulers. Otherwise Nemesis is bound to overtake the erring mortals sooner or later.

Article extracted from this publication >> October 10, 1986