I appreciate the sentiments of Kamaljit Singh. His sympathies for the victims of 84 riots and for the struggle for freedom to commendable. But it is hard to understand why he has singled out Kabbadi tournament? Let me quote his words “no matter what one feels but nothing can be free of political overtones “even his letter!
Let me set the record straight. Soviet Union and United States 6o compete at the Olympics.
It is not lack of resources; it is the problem of polities. Some of us have priorities for our families; others have on personal enjoyment and display of riches. We have failed to develop austerity both as individuals and as a nation. How much money we spend on functions like birthdays and anniversaries, we gather in posh living rooms and discuss the Sikh problem and Khalistan over a glass of Whisky How much money is being spent on Sangeet groups, how much we donate to Dhadi and Ragi Jathas who tacitly preach against Khalistan.
We are spending millions of dollars on the construction of new Gurdwaras. But we do cry out and over $100,000 spent on a sport so tear and dear to Punjabi culture. There is a long list of individual and National extravagance.
A soldier who just returned from war asked a professor what he was doing when the soldier was fighting for the nation. Professor replied that he was developing and fighting for survival of our faith and culture.
Khalistan is a long drawn struggle. So we should plan our strategy in such a way that we should not ignore religious and cultural activities. The need is austerity in all those activities, and not in killing them. We should also plug holes in our channel of financial support. A lot has been soaked into the personal treasure of few individuals.
India is sending its emissaries and intelligence not through Kahbadi groups. India is using every avenue to diffuse the movement through its intelligence. India has planted its agents in every Sikh organization, knowing this well I do not feel any purpose can be served by criticizing the sports matches because some Punjab police officials were also in the cam.
Amrik S Gill,
Stockton, CA
Article extracted from this publication >> October 25, 1991
