By Our Correspondent
BANGALORE: The outbreak of violence in September ‘88 at Biddar was an offshoot of the Punjab problem. Sardar Khushal Singh, secretary Nanak Jhira Saheb Foundation and Gurdwara Nanak Jhira Saheb alleged at Biddar in his supplementary affidavit filed on April 28 before Justice P.K. Shyamas under Inquiry Commission into the Biddar riots.
He said that immediately after the violent incidents on September 14, 15 and 16 last year the perpetrators of the violence and their supporters had told every person who visited Biddar that the students of the Sikh community were misbehaving with the local women and that was the provocation ‘of the mob fury. He stated that at any given point he had not received any complaints of students misbehavior and this flimsy defense of violence amounted to justification of the carnage.
The affidavit further stated that it appeared that there was resentment among the local population regarding the running of institute.
It has been repeatedly asserted that the real cause of jealously was that a medical college, sought by several other rival organizations, was finally sanctioned in favor of Sri Nanak Jheera Sahib foundation. The chief minister had to clarify (Indian Express dated September 26 1988) that the Congress (I) member of Legislation Council Mr. GM. Bhimanna Khondre had not applied for a medical college as was propagated. In spite of that this rationale for ugly incidents has been loudly proclaimed by the media. It is also a fact that by a letter dated 18.7.88 the Government of Kamataka had rejected the request of the Foundation for affiliation. This letter could not have been unknown to the rival organizations as it was also marked to them all. The real causes thus must be sought elsewhere.
Anti-Sikh propaganda incessantly pours out of the state controlled media. Matters had been aggravated by the undeclared but nevertheless effective immunity extended to all those who perpetrated such crimes in November 1984. Rather, the guilty ones of that massacre were rewarded with ministerial berths in the central cabinet. A number of others had been similarly adjusted in the Hindi belt.
The guilty ones of Bidar in 1988 appear I be the same as the guilty ones of November 19%
A systematic validation campaign against the Sikhs was launched by the Congress (I) at the time of December 1984 elections. Both state owned and private media was used to whip up anti-Sikh feelings who are just 2% of the total population. It paid dividends. Politicians found it cost-effective. Congress (I) particularly discovered in it a goldmine to bolster up its dwindling fortunes.
TV The Conclusion All accounts of the holocaust agree that it is the result of a deep rooted conspiracy. Perhaps the enquiry to be conducted by the high court judge will examine the matter threadbare.
The circumstantial evidence points an accusing finger only in one direction. The guilty ones of Bidar in 1988, appear to be the same as the guilty ones of November 1984. The aim is also the same that is to pass off as ultra-Hindus and to sweep the coming elections by again arousing chauvinistic Hindu sentiments.
It will do the country’s unity and integrity allot of good to keep in mind that Bidar may be repeated in all non-Congress (I) ruled states of the union. All must remain vigilant lest traitors and criminals masquerading as political leaders succeed in their diabolical design of destroying intercommunity relations.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 5, 1989
