By Amrik S Gil (Stockton CA)
I wonder how a shrewd journalist/diplomat like Kuldip Nayar could suggest elections as the best solution for Punjab (India Abroad, Oct.4). States in India are no better than colonies. Elected Chief Ministers can be dismissed at the will by the central govt. They are elected by the people but serve at the pleasure of the Prime Minister. Non Congress state governments have often been dismissed by the Congress Prime Minister. What role can a Punjab Chief Minister play in the present situation except to become a scapegoat for Delhi’s ill-advised tomfooleries?
Elections will generate dissention among various Sikh groups, which will weaken the state and its people. This will divert people’s attention to the Sikh leaders’ rivalries.
The expression of faith in the militants at a meeting of 27 Sikh groups at Anandpur Sahib was not out of fear or political maneuverings, but the result of recognition of the wishes and aspirations of the people. An unprecedented large gathering at ceremonies commemorating militants is a clear indication of what the people want. This is recognition of the sacrifices of the militants and geniuses of the struggle for freedom by them.
People like Kuldip Nayar do not feel the pain and sufferings inflicted by the government of India. Ask parents whose sons and daughters have been tortured and killed in fake encounters or those so orphaned. Ask women who have been raped and humiliated. Instead of joining these people in their protest against police atrocities and excesses, Kuldip Nayar calls the courage of leaders of those 27 groups as surrender to militancy.
The real problem is with Delhi and hence the solution does not lie in Punjab. The dynasty and its protégés ruling since 1947 have changed the original constitution through number of amendments to centralize and consolidate power with the Prime Minister. Even the judiciary is controlled by him. In addition Prime Minister has the option to exercise extra constitutional powers through R.A.W. (Indian K.G.B.). RAW is only responsible to Prime Minister.
People of Punjab challenge this and demanded the center to delegate some power to state the said center should keep defense – foreign affairs and currency. As per the Anandpur Sahib Resolution.
Indira not being able to tolerate this decided to teach Sikhs a lesson. She put the goblien propaganda machine into action. Anandpur Sahib Resolution which is a resolution once enter state relations was labeled an act of treason, and a blow to the unity and integrity of the country.
Sikhs who were considered the sword arm of India, who were torch bearers in freedom struggle of India were overnight looked upon as traitors and separatists. They were provoked by an armed invasion on Golden Temple and 40 other Sikh Gurdwaras by India’s defense forces. This ignited a chain of violent reactions. Special laws were passed where by Sikh men & women were sent into jail without charge or recourse to judicial remedy. Sikhs were killed in fake encounters. Genocide on Sikhs was let loose in Delhi and other states. R.A.W. was engaged in manipulating and maneuvering to create dissentions among Sikh group, and to label them terrorists in other countries, Sikhs were humiliated at home and abroad, Sikhs have lost the faith not only in government of India but well intentioned people like Kuldip Nayar.
So what is required now is not the deployment of army and the elections but display of sincerity and honesty by the center.
- The Parliament as representative must express unqualified apology for past excesses.
- Immediate repeal all the special barbaric laws.
- Let the judiciary function independently.
- Set up mechanism to punish the guilty officials.
- Declare amnesty for all.
- Declare that the constitutional machinery will De set-up in) convert, the: present constitution into federal one.
DHAKA: Abdur Rahman Biswas was Wednesday sworn-in as the eleventh president of Bangladesh.
Acting chief justice MD Habibur Rahman administered the oath to 65-yr-old Biswas at a simple but impressive ceremony here.
Biswas was elected president Tuesday defeating Awami league-backed opposition candidate Badrul Haider Chowdhury by 172-92 votes in a straight contest with an electoral college consisting of members of parliament.
NEW DELHI: An external affairs minis- try spokesman said Wednesday that there had been no threat whatsoever from Myranmar, to close the Indian embassy in Rangoon over the contents of the Burmese language service of All Indian Radio.
He was commenting on a report in a daily that the military junta led by Gen. Saw Maung had expressed displeasure over the political context of the program and threatened to order the embassy’s closure, if it was not made non-political.
The spokesman also denied that AIR had, under pressure from the Myanmar authorities, discontinued the services of Than Thannu, daughter of the former Burmese Prime Minister, U Nu. She continued to be employed by the Burmese service, he said.
SERVICE CONTINUES: Besides, India Calling produced by AIR, continued to be distributed in Rangoon.
The spokesman pointed out that while AIR functions within a set of Parameters, which allows considerable degree of autonomy; it has been the practice to consult the ministry of external affairs from time to time regarding the external Services as foreign policy interests were involved. “Our decisions are not taken under external Pressure; in fact, they emanate from our Objective evaluation of the realities of the situation in any given context. It is quite common for program content to vary from time to time,” he said.
As for India’s policy towards Myanmar . He said it had been extending Principled and strong moral and political support the forces struggling for democracy.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 18, 1991
