Sikhs are for liberalization says ex-Jathedar of Akal Takhat Prof. Darshan Singh. The common man is likely to gain from the economic reforms taken up by Union finance minister Manmohan Singh

Our economic policy since independence has only created monopoly conditions resulting in Sub-standard goods. The liberalization process has opened the Indian market for import of new technology which is bound to upgrade the quality of consumers and other goods. This will essentially bring an improvement in the living standards of all of us.” These views were expressed here to The Observer in an exclusive interview by Professor Darshan Singh.

He said the world was becoming a global village. The future of Sikhs Jay in International humanism. All barriers of caste faith religion and boundary must go It will help integrate Sikhs particularly for a better world a better future and better tomorrow.

The Jathedar said there was a need for Sikh Sudhar movement. Let the country build social institutions for enable us all to become better citizens”

Pro Darshan Singh wanted India of 1948 in the form it existed just after partition the minorities fear which he said had overtaken them should be removed for a better atmosphere. He said it were not the shocks in the interest market that had affected the inflow of liberal remittances for investment in the country by Sikhs abroad. It was the fear of security that had resulted in the squeeze they wanted it to be assured of the protection of their estate capital and life to make larger contributions to the new development of India.

The Jathedar said Sikhs were much more progressive and well off in the UK the USA and other countries any tangible action to build NRIs confidence here will lead to larger investments by them

The Jathedar blamed the Akalis for harming the interests of Sikhs giving thief support to the BJP Delhi and elsewhere during the recent elections. He accused the BIP leadership for what he said their belief in the “denial of equal opportunities to minorities Especially Sikhs on a par with the Hindus. He reminded one of the top 3S leaders saying the minorities should not aspire for more than what Hindus are getting in Pakistan and Bangladesh gave credence to this.

He assailed the Akali leadership for surrendering the interests of Sikhs to their self-gaine.” He said they were after power whether they get it through alliance with the BJP or the Congress was immaterial.

The Jathedar said strongly “we are for one India. We still never allow further division of the country. We will rather light for its unity.” Sikhs were never in favor of the creation of Pakistan even he said. Master Tara Singh had denounced the partition theory with all his mite.

He said the BJP slogan of Hindu Rashtra offended the minorities “I do not know they are encouraged to coin and use such slogans for getting power. Had anybody else said like that he would not have been tolerated.” And this discrimination he said was the cause of all trouble

He said the Narsimha Rao government added fuel to the fire and enlivened the Blue Star tragedy by acting differently in tackling the issues of Hazratbal shrine and the Golden Temple although the two incidents were more of the less similar.

 He said in unequivocal terms that politics and religion were impearling   One fulfilled the spiritual needs and the other physician needs.” Today everybody was after power. There was bad need of the new type of leadership he felt.

Professor Darshan Singh said corruption had hampered progress in every sphere of life People were feeling uneasy. The qualification for recruitment to the government service was not the merit of a candidate the quantum of money he could offer made or married his prospects This had retarded the progress

The Jathedar felt there was anced for urgent administrative reforms and making politics inexpensive. “Today one needed millions of rupees for becoming in MLA or MP” he added.

He attributed the division in the Akalis to the lust for power. Unless the Akalis change their attitude Sikhs were not going to gain anything commented the Jathedar.

Article extracted from this publication >> March 25, 1994