Pawan Kumar Sharma chief of the Hindu Shiv Sena in Punjab has been organizing Hindu resistance to the militants. He has escaped two attempts on his life. He was interviewed by Frontline an Indian periodical at his heavily guarded house in the Arya Samaj locality of Patiala.

Frontline: What is your comment on the new initiative on Punjab?

Pawan Kumar Sharma: These talks are going to prove dangerous for Punjab. The border should be sealed Officers who are conniving with the militants should be screened and with the help of a military operation the backbone of the “terrorist” movement should be broken. Only after that should a dialogue be started with them.

Q: Do you think anything would come out of the talks between Simranjit Singh Mann and the Prime Minister?

A: Nothing will come out. They will not mend their ways. The only way they can be tackled is with firmness. The soft option was tried when there was an accord with Sant Harchand Singh Longowal. Rajiv (Gandhi) had also tried but did not succeed. During Operation Bluestar the Sikhs had quietened down and had realised their mistake and were even willing to repent. But when Indira Gandhi not only said excesses had been committed on Sikhs but tried to give a healing touch they stood up again.

Q: Have you expressed your views in this connection to anyone in the Government?

A: Yes I wrote a letter to VP Singh and earlier wrote letters to Rajiv Gandhi and also to the Governor. However no correspondence has taken place with Chandra Shekhar. Because when he assumed office he was planning to deploy the Army but later he did not do it. I think whatever Chandra Shekhar may do for Punjab may not be good for the people of the State if he tries to find a solution through negotiations.

Q: Do you plan to meet Chandra Shekhar?

A: lf he takes such a step as talking to the militants we think it would be better to caution him that such a measure would be harmful and no solution would come about.

Q: What was the reason for the spurt in violence in Punjab in late November and early December?

A: The writ of the Punjab administration and the police does not run in the State. After sunset the link roads are all under the militants. The paramilitary forces are not totally aware of the situation and the Punjab police are not providing them the required help.

Q: But there has to be some solution to the Punjab problem?

A: Yes if they talk within the Constitution. The militants are talking different languages. The Sohan Singh group (of the Panthic Committee) says the talks should be within the Constitution. But the Zaffarwal and Manochahal groups say they would not talk anything short of demanding a separate state of Khalistan. They are themselves not together. Whenever they talked they got some demands accepted and subsequently formed ministries in the State. The Hindu population in the State has been reduced to 35%. You have to deal with them (militants) firmly to soften them down Right now they are taking hard postures such as proposing to have Geneva as the venue for the talks with the Prime Minister.

Q: Do you think there would be a difference in the situation if the democratic process is revived in Punjab?

A: No. The Hindus living in the State will go away if elections are held in Punjab. Under President’s rule there is some relief. Once elections are held the Akalis will come to power. Along with Simranjit Singh Mann “extremists” will become Ministers. Even now a new dress code and such measures are in operation.

Q: What is the ground reality?

A: The reality is that 98% of Sikhs want Khalistan. A small percentage of Hindus have been pressured to give statements in favor of Khalistan. Recently Sikhs had given a bandh call Hindus also gave a call in panic. Hindus are not sympathisers of Khalistan.

Q: Is the migration from villages on the rise?

A: Yes. In Patiala district Hindus have left their homes in the rural areas and shifted to big mandis or to the cities.

Q: What kind of difference do you find in the relationship between Hindus and Sikhs?

A: Ten years ago riots had started breaking out involving Hindus and Sikhs on matters such as the cutting of cows tails The notes now are very rare But now when “extremists” strike Hindus do not quarrel with Sikhs; they are demoralized. Several Sikhs also condemn such acts and try to sympathize with us now and then. But when the militants give a call for attending the bhog ceremony of 3 colleague Sikhs openly support them.

Q: Has the problem affected your relations with Sikh friends?

A: No. Those relations still exist.

Q: What was the impact of L.K.Advani’s rath yatra in Punjab?

A: There was no impact here at all. They sometimes say that if Advani did something for Rama Janmabhoomi we are doing it for Khalistan. There was no impact on the killings.

Q: What is the role of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress (I) in Punjab politics? Are these parties relevant?

A: No. They only give statements to remain in public view since elections may be announced. Neither the BJP nor the Congress has any hold in Punjab. But the Hindu Shiv Sena and the Shiv Sena of Punjab have. These organisations are all over Punjab. We do travel freely but sometimes the Government does not give us proper security.

(Sharma has long been known as a rabble-rouser and trouble maker. He has repeatedly whipped up anti-Sikh sentiments invariably feeding to trouble.)

Article extracted from this publication >> March 22, 1991