Chandigarh: Kulwant Singh Babbar the press secretary of Babbar Khalsa international surrendered to CM Beant Singh at his residence and in the presence of the Director General of Police, KPS Gill Wednesday.
He told newsmen that he was disillusioned with the distortions that had crept into the militant movement. The movement had degenerated due to criminalization from extortions robberies and rapes and the militants got alienated from the masses. He said the criminal misdeed carried out by the various outfits created a feeling of revulsion in the minds of the people and even the Babbar Khalsa Int. known for its ideological commitment, discipline and purity of actions was adversely affected.
He justified the cause for which his organization had been fighting for. While he was being closely questioned on his views about Khalistan he was suddenly whisked away by. Senior police officers.
Ina written statement he said the exposure of materialistic and immoral life style of Babbar Khalsa chief, Sukhdev Singh, who was gunned down gave a big jolt to the organization and shook its ideological foundations, He attributed the degeneration of the movement to the lack of commitment and total neglect of Gurmat principals. He said the present chaos would continue until pure and committed persons came forward to take over the reigns.
He said the situation warranted a deep and critical analysis of the events to appreciate the cunning moves of the antinational forces which had pushed Punjab into an atmosphere of uncertainty and perpetual terror.
He appealed to the militants to modify their approach in tune with the Sikh traditions and said negations were the only path to resolve issues. He urged the government to be more responsive and liberal in its approach. More efforts were required to win over the hearts and minds of the Sikhs, The last decade and a half had witnessed heavy bloodshed of civilians as well as militant without achieving any tangible results. He had favored mass mobilization to achieve this aim but refused to elaborate further. “This is high time that we draw lessons from the past.”
He had gained recognition as the top most ideologue of the Babbars and became a member of its high command in 1991. He was instrumental in enforcing the code On Punjabi language and electronic media.
He made up his mind to surrender about six months ago. He said he was not involved in any killing. The CM said the surrender was another feather in his cap and that the “Babbar Khalsa movement had virtually come to an end. A new chapter will open in the state with this surrender.”
Commenting on the surrender of Kulwant Singh a spokesman of the BKI condemned the act. Jaswinder Singh stated that the Organization was aware that Kulwant Singh and his son were arrested on the night of April 12. The BKI feared that father and son would both be killed in a false encounter or tortured and forced to publicly disclaim the movement. ‘True enough, this is what has apparently happened. Bhai Kulwant Singh was first tortured but when he refused to bow, his son was tortured in his presence which he could not accept, His attachment to his family weakened his resolve and he succumbed to the pressure.
Accepting defeat, he publicly surrendered and discredited the movement. The BKI spokesman said that the fight for Khalistan requires that those in the movement be above attachment and dedicated to the cause. Kulwant Singh did not live up to this expectation, Inspite of his status in the organization.
Further condemning the actions of Kulwant Singh, the BKl offered its apology to the community for his failure to stand firm for the cause.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 16, 1993
