Written perceptively and boldly the book provides a clear and comprehensive survey of the events in the Punjab of the four decades (1947-1987) It highlights the basic issues; the pre-partition Promises made to the Sikhs complete change of Congress policies in the post-Independence period the struggle for Punjabi Suba the events leading to the Dharam Yudh Morcha the Blue Star the Wood Rose and the November massacres the grim shadows of which still loom large on the state.
Once described as the nerve center of the country’s freedom struggle the food bowl and the sword-arm of the country the Punjab today is a bleeding limb which is no one’s concern. What is at the root of this grim tragedy? What is it that has driven the state from one disaster to another? How that is the Sikh community with a unique record of service and sacrifice for the country stands alienated? The book provides an academic analysis of the issues and casts light on the unexplored aspects of the problem.
The book is bound to reverse one-sided contemporary judgments on many events and personalities. By revealing all the facts about the Punjab the author has in fact opened a closed door. A wide spectrum of opinion including the views of the foreign journalists on the Punjab crisis has been incorporated in the book. Despite its close proximity to events the work is of such value as no historian interested in truth can ignore. The author views the alienation of the bold brave and patriotic Sikh community as the result of a studied but a suicidal course followed by the Indian state.
The real merit of the book will be appreciated with the passage of time As the contemporary dust settles and more facts are revealed greater will be the endorsement of the authors conclusions. To the future historian the book will provide not only important facts but also a perceptive insight.
This book is available at Singh & Singh publishers 2059 Sector 15-C Chandigarh (India) Phone 33145.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 11, 1992
