The Babbar Khalsa International produced some of excellent Sikh heroes like Bhai Anokh Singh whose commitment to the Sikh cause was perhaps unparalleled in recent history. But its understanding of the Indian state had not been uniformly brilliant all these years. For instance, the groups leadership was seen quarreling with the late Sant Jamail Singh Bhindranwale when he was positioned in the Darkar Saheb complex until 1984. Subsequently also one heard wholly avoidable disputes over “rag mala” and such other questions,

Notwithstanding all these matters, it is, indeed, refreshing to find the B.K.I. leadership in Punjab taking the lead in focusing attention on the right issues. The group has clearly identified the economic exploitation of Punjab by India the river waters and the wheat pricing as the key issues. The B.K.I. has correctly argued that the entire water of all Punjab rivers belongs to Punjab and that the diversion of these waters to Haryana and Rajasthan by India is intolerable. Also, the militant outfit has made an issue of the low procurement price of wheat fixed by the Indian government to bring home the Indian exploitation of Punjab and Sikhs. The group views this exploitation in the larger perspective of Indias aims to destroy Sikhs religiously, culturally and linguistically.

Unfortunately, Akalis failed all these leaders to educate the Sikh masses on the paramount issue of the colonial nature of Indias relations with Punjab. Even if they paid li service to the matter, in practical politics the Akalis did just the opposite. Thus on one hand they talked of discrimination against Sikhs by the Indian government, on the other hand, they willingly allowed Punjab’s water to flow to Haryana and Rajasthan and signed away even the existing constitutional rights through such agreements as the Rajiv Longowal accord, Some of the Akalis even today bemoan the non-implementation of the Rajiv-Longowal accord as proof of Delhi’s will towards Sikhs. The fact, however, is that most Akalis of all hues and varieties have always endeavored to trade off Punjab’s river water and limited autonomy for political power of dubious nature, The B.K.I. stand marks a reversal of the Akalis hypocritical political positions.

The B.K.I has rightly appealed to the world public opinion through such organizations as European Economic Community, the United Nations, the Amnesty International and other human rights organizations to study the economic exploitation of Sikhs and Punjab by India. The river water diversion to non-Punjab states by India forcibly has been cited as proof of Punjab’s and Sikhs exploitation. The fact that India has cordoned off Punjab off-the-record to mop   its wheat at a dirt cheap rate of Rs 280 per quintal as against the current international price of Rs 600 is another telling illustration of how Delhi loots Sikhs and Punjab.

More significant than raising the issues internationally is the need in the first instance for making the two matters a part and parcel of the common Sikhs psyche. The struggle in Punjab should revolve through these two most important issues. The B.K.I. on its own or in agreement with other militant groups should produce a comprehensive program of action to be followed by the common Sikhs. The Akalis should be actively involved in the matter, It is not enough t compel the Akalis to boycott the elections. Unless the Akalis are made to take public positions on the river water issue and the food grain issue along the B.K.I. thinking, the focus on the two matters will be short-lived. The Sikh masses should be educated to ensure that not a drop of Punjab water flows into Haryana or Rajasthan, They should also be persuaded to curtail production of food grains like wheat and rice, Instead, Punjab should conserve its resources and grow forests on as much land as is possible. Empty rhetoric on Khalistan will have very little meaning unless a specific program of action is outlined. The election boycott or resignation from panchayats is a significant political initiative but is essentially defensive in nature, But the B.K.I.s proposed program is offensive in nature and is bound to be telling in effect.

Article extracted from this publication >> May 22, 1992