LAHORE: Parminder Singh alias Harphan Maulla who hijacked an Indian airline July 1984 was released after expiry of his prison term on July 19 at Lahore
Ten years ago Parminder and his accomplices hijacked an India airline to Pakistan in protest against the Indian Governments attack on Harmandir Sahib in June 1984. In the Anny action the Akal Takhat was completely destroyed and many valiant Sikh youths killed for resisting the army’s entrance to the holy premises Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale along with Gen Shabeg Singh and Bhai Amrik Singh were also killed while defending the shrine. Hundreds of helpless devotees who had gathered for a Gurpurab were slain in the army action.
The senseless action incensed thousands of Sikhs all over the world and many vowed to avenge the insult to Sikhism. Bhai Parminder Singh expressed his Protest by hijacking an Indian airlines but he insured no harm came to the passenger by landing the Plane in Lahore. The Indian Government instead of trying to appease the host psyche of the Sikh youth made all efforts to ensure He got the maximum prison sentence for the act.
Released on July 19 Bhai Parminder Singh said the Sikhs leadership should set down and analyze the events of last 10 years and assess what had gone wrong with the Sikh freedom movement and they had failed to achieve their goal.
It may be recalled that when Indira Gandhi was thrown out of power two of her supporters had hijacked an Indian airline w protest her being sent to prison. On her return to power the two were Riven tickets for the election and were subsequently made ministers in the State Government. A Sikh youth on the other hand was made to spend 10 years of his life-jail for protecting against the Armies assault on his most Sacred monument. This only demonstrates the double standards of the Indian Government then and even now.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 25, 1994
