Half a dozen over ground Sikh political Organizations publicly committed themselves to the cause of Khalistan when they jointly addressed a “hola mohalla” congregation at Anandpur Saheb on March 20. It was further stated that a specific Program of political action in pursuance of the above mentioned goal would be announced at the Vaisakhi congregation at Talwandi Sabo. In the meantime a few participants were arrested but most others were not arrested. These leaders Baba Joginder Singh Jagdev Singh Talwandi Sabo announced no new program of action except for the call the village panchayat sarpanches and panches to resign their posts by June 6. The call to village leaders to quit their posts is not new. Media has reported from time to time that numerous panchayats fed up with unending police repression want to leave their posts. Leaders of Bharti Kisan Union mysteriously intervened and asked sarpanches and panches to route their resignation letters through the B.K.U Offices. Not much was heard subsequently. Even if a few thousand village leaders resign their posts now that would at best be recording Sikhs” protest in furtherance of the February boycott of the Assembly election. This step in itself is no substitute for a program of mass political action. We still hold that the present set of over ground Akali and Sikh student’s leaders may not be in a position to give to the Sikh masses a Suitable program. One has the unfortunate feeling that the old Longowal story is being repeated when the “morcha Dictator” would put off until the next opportunity any programme of action The reason why the over ground leaders cannot cope with the situation is obvious. Senior leaders of these organizations such as Parkash Singh Badal Simranjit Singh Mann and others have yet to take precise political positions. It is hoped that the matters would crystalize after these leaders come out of jails later this week. Remember the pro-Khalistan stance was adopted by second rung leaders of these organizations after their senior leaders were jailed on the eve of the Assembly election.

Meanwhile the Babbar Khalsa International came out with a two-point program of action of its own recently: a call to Punjab politicians and bureaucracy to desist from associating themselves with any deal on the Punjab river water issue and to enforce Punjabi as states language. The panthic committee associated with Dr. Sohan Singh Bhai Daljit Singh and others issued a statement from London warming against any move to construct the S.Y.L canal. In substance to maintain righ to its river water Nevertheless Khalistan water continues to flow through a canal network to India Haryana’s irrigation and power minister came out with a statement recently that works on the S.Y.L canal had been continuing notwithstanding its disruption for someone in 1990. He expected the canal to be ready in a few months. If that is true then all talk of Khalistan water for Khalistan becomes meaningless. Here is an opportunity for genuine leaders of the Sikh community namely militants to give thought to the entire issue afresh. They should take specific effective action to protect Khalistan vital long-term interests. Let them seek Akalis cooperation in this respect. It is no using talking about Khalistan as the Akalis at present are doing. They must be involved in a struggle to frustrate India’s effort at robbing Khalistan of its precious natural wealth.

Article extracted from this publication >> April 24, 1992