Dear Editor,
In & recent letter (WSN Dec.1793) Sardar Balbir Singh Ragi gave detailed justifications for Khalistan such as the vicious and fascist style in which the Government of India attacked demolished and desecrated the Sikh holy places capturing and killing of Sikh youth molesting of women depriving Sikhs of life and liberty and treating them with suspicion over the last 10 years For most of us it hurts the core of our being to think that there are no effective forces working to stop this oppression. In Punjab the optimism about Khalistan that was obvious two years ago has faded. In reality nothing in the approach followed by the militants groups was conductive to political success.
There was no unity or strategy only unproductive violence and mutual suspicion which kept them from making good decisions. People started losing hope and the government has certainly been able to use the influential and educated Sikhs in police and other services to derail the Khalistan movement. The frustrating defeat in elections of a revered and selfless man like Justice Bains is indicative of the state of affairs in Punjab and of the inability of the Sikhs to work together. It is such a frustration together with the expectations of a senselessly oppressive rule in a militant-run although fundamentally I believe that the fitness to self-govern and economic viability must not be made the preconditions for the freedom of a nation But as Ragi says Let us start fixing the process Fix what is wrong. To begin with let us develop and follow better defined and accepted methods for making decisions at all levels. Gurdwaras issues should not need to be resolved with angry fights or by lawsuits in the courts.
Who decides whether one in trying for Kursi or sincerely fighting for the rights of our community? Let us develop the discipline and humility to follow the decisions once they appropriately are made by a designated body trying to establish your worth by tearing down others is a destructive pursuit.
Let us allow others to know and study the Sikh religion and scriptures objectively and according to methods of scholarship in Universities without itching to out-do Khomeini every time a question is raised. What truths are we afraid to look at?
Let us develop tolerance for people like me who are not deeply religious but have great love for Punjabi Sikh people and their culture. The principal of a women’s college in Punjab told me that she had received threatening orders from some militants against staging plays songs dances and other folk and cultural activities as being unholy. Who would want to live in a joyless Khalistan without art literature music comedy dance and movies? Not everyone is into experiencing religious ecstasy A nation must allow for diversity of lifestyles and freedom of belief.
Let us start planning for economic survival considering that Khalistan would not have access to the seas and would be at the mercy of India and Pakistan for contact with the outside world. With no oil coal iron aluminum copper forest resources and not even salt it can be returned to Stone Age without any stones. Will it have the military might to intervene if India decides to drain the Bhakra Dam water through a tunnel to Haryana with obvious consequences?
Let us think of the Opportunities we can create for future generations in education training technology of employment other than agriculture. Let us also plan for the fate of the Sikhs in commerce industry trade engineering and other employment in India.
Let us stop the wishful thinking that India is going to disintegrate any time soon Kashmir where unlike Punjab nearly 100% of the population is willing to work for independence may be liberated with the help of Pakistan and the world But that might be disastrous for Sikhs and other minorities in India as the fascist element will gain overwhelming Strength then.
Let us never forget the supreme Sacrifices and acts of Coverage by people like Beant Singh Satwant Singh Sukha Jinda and others who thought it honorable to show that fascist murderers like Indira Gandhi Gen Vaidya and (some day) Gen Brar would not go unpunished. I wanted to add: But let us not fail to condemn those who Kill molest and threaten the wellbeing of innocent people Finally if life with dignity is unthinkable for a Sikh in India and Khalistan is not achieved in his life time let us think of the best Options for him Gurnam Singh Piedmont CA.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 4, 1994
