By Amrik S. Gill
V.P. Singh’s recent statement at all parties rally at Amritsar has revealed the frustration which comes when we build high hopes and make no effort to achieve them.
It appears that VP Singh feels that Sikhs should feel obliged for his visit to Shri Harmandir Sahib, amending the constitution to restore right of life to Sikh also, setting up special courts to try these guilty of perpetrating 1984 riots and releasing the Sikhs held without trial.
Sikhs feel thankful but not obliged for these acts. Every Hindu enjoys these rights then why not Sikhs. Are they not part of India perhaps not, according to the thinking of Hindu majority? Probably they feel that Sikhs do not have the Tight to life, they do not deserve fair trial and justice. These are unique steps and are a favor to Sikhs!
Let us be not surprised or shocked at their approach. They have the same approach for all the minorities; it is a historic fact that neither a Muslim nor a Sikh was made chief of the army. There was a lot of resentment from Hindu majority on Dr. Zakir Hussains appointment as President. The reason is they being 85% majority think themselves the true heirs of India. Minorities especially Sikhs and Muslims are separatist’s terrorists -saboteurs. The funny thing about this is that as long as Sikhs did not object to their claim: of being Hindus the Sikhs were patriots -loyal and brave sons of India. But the moment they asserted their separate identity they were labeled as traitors and terrorists in 1982. The whole government machinery of radio, television and news agencies were deployed. Not a single Hindu leader had the audacity and courage to speak the truth. Many opposition leaders (who are in the government now) also joined the crowd in condemning the Sikhs.
Why? Because they were Hindus and every Hindu wanted Ram Raj (Rule by the followers of Ram) like any other Hindu VP Singh also believes in Ram Rajya and want the minorities to be subdued and ruled. He expected the Sikhs to hover around him. For positions some tamed and trained Sikhs do dance to the tune of the masters or lick feet of their master at his call, but true lovers and followers of Guru Gobind Singh stood against the injustice fearlessly as they fear none and frighten none. How could the believer of fatherhood of God and brotherhood of man live in Ram Rajya where inequality among the human being is also the law and religion of the land?
Everyone wants to live in peace. Peace in Punjab was disrupted by the government of India in 1982 when four persons travelling in a bus were killed by State Agency so as to dismiss the elected government of Darbara Singh and impose President’s rule in Punjab. Since then state terrorism continued unabated. Operation Blue Star, Operation Humiliation coupled with fake encounters made the general public to retaliate. More state terrorism more retaliation. There is no relaxation in state terrorism even in the new regime.
Prime Ministers message of peace sent through his visit to Shri Harmandir Sahib not heeded by the real rulers of Punjab, the Punjab governor and Punjab police chief. Prime Minister took no action against these guilty officers. No one was transferred, suspended or charge sheeted.
I wonder what prime minister meant when he talked about the release of prisoners held without trial. Were they meant to be killed in fake encounters? Let me refresh prime minister’s memory Dacoits of Chambal Valley were given general amnesty. Perhaps being Hindu dacoits was better than Sikhs.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 11, 1990
